We must not forget that the greatness of America has been shaped by the immigrants who have come for that hopeful opportunity of a better future.

People have immigrated to the United States from many places around the globe. They have often escaped the horrors of war and oppression to come to a country hoping for a future where their families could thrive in a Democratic Republic.

The host of Resiliency Within will share aspects of her first-generation view with her colleague, Martha Parra, LCSW, who came to the United States as a child with her family. The identities of Latinas and Latinos are shaped by geography, heritage, race, and gender. Latinas and Latinos embrace their heritage and contribute to the culture of the United States.

Martha's family came to California from Mexico, and Elaine's mother and grandmother came from El Salvador. They will share how their families taught them compassion, courage, strength, service, and hard work. They will share the values they learned from their families and how their rich heritage has inspired their personal and professional journeys as community leaders.

Essential funds are being cut for important programs helping youth.

Where common sense laws are lacking to protect children, violence prevention professionals and credible messengers are working on the frontlines to mediate conflict, interrupt violence, and restore peace.

Jordan R. Murphy, PhD, RN, is a nurse scientist who specializes in behavioral health and trauma and resiliency-informed care.

In this encore episode, Dr. Murphy will share her work in Gun Violence Prevention, supporting professionals and survivors.

Gun violence is a major public health and social justice issue, and yet it is preventable. For the last three years, gun violence was the #1 cause of death for children and adolescents 1-17 years of age, surpassing motor vehicle accidents and cancer.

A greater understanding of the issues involved and the development of innovative programs are critical to the well-being of our Nation.

On this episode of Resiliency Within, host Elaine Miller-Karas welcomes Heather Lilly,
co-founder and past Executive Director of Yoga Village in Wilmington, North Carolina,
for a thoughtful conversation about the integration of the Community Resiliency Model
(CRM) with Trauma-Informed Yoga. Together, Elaine and Heather explore how these
complementary, body-based approaches can help individuals and communities
strengthen resilience, regulate the nervous system, and support healing in the face of
stress, adversity, and trauma.
Drawing from years of experience serving diverse populations, Heather shares the vision
behind Yoga Village and its commitment to making trauma-informed practices
accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds. Elaine and Heather discuss how CRM
skills naturally align with trauma-informed yoga practices that cultivate mindful
awareness, self-compassion, and a deeper connection to the body.
Their dialogue highlights the growing recognition that healing is not simply a cognitive
process but one that involves the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. Through stories,
insights, and practical wisdom, they explore how integrating CRM and trauma-informed
yoga can help create safer, more compassionate communities where individuals can
rediscover their strengths and capacity for well-being.
Join Elaine and Heather for an inspiring conversation about resilience, healing, and the
transformative power of bringing together evidence-informed practices that help people
reconnect with themselves and with one another.