El Paso Public Forum · El Paso Public Forum

EPPF 5-18-25 Common Threads & Emergence

·39 min·3 clips

Victoria reveals how Common Threads uses funding to give fresh produce boxes to families during caregiver workshops.

This episode of El Paso Public Forum features two separate interviews focused on community health and wellness programs in the El Paso area. Host Amber Banda first speaks with Victoria Aragon, MPH, the local program manager for the national nonprofit Common Threads. The second segment features Noreen Jaramillo, Director of Communications, and Krista Wingate, Chief of Child and Adolescent Services, from Emergence Health Network, the region's designated mental health authority. Victoria Aragon explains that Common Threads provides cooking and nutrition education to children and families, partnering with schools and community organizations to address food access and insecurity. The organization runs programs like Small Bites and Cooking Skills & World Cuisine, where students learn about different countries and prepare corresponding dishes. Aragon notes they received funding from Superior Health Plan last year to distribute produce boxes from partner Desert Spoon during caregiver workshops. These workshops teach skills like budget grocery shopping, distinguishing organic labels, and involving children in meal preparation. She shares an anecdote about a student in the Small Bites program who tried raisins for the first time and subsequently loved them. The Cooking Skills program for grades 3-8 includes lessons up to two hours long, often held after school, where participating chefs provide ingredients, safe knives, and teach techniques like the "bear claw" grip for chopping. Aragon reveals the organization is now receiving requests to expand its cooking and nutrition programs into high schools, citing the removal of home economics courses and the prevalence of fast food options near campuses. She emphasizes that getting children involved in food preparation makes them more likely to try new foods and eat healthier. A key insight is the program's adaptability to local culture, acknowledging common dietary habits like eating Takis or Hot Cheetos while teaching moderation and integration of fruits and vegetables. The tone of the first segment is informative and community-focused, highlighting practical solutions to nutritional challenges. Listeners interested in local nonprofits, parenting, nutrition, or education would find this segment valuable, while those seeking hard news or political debate might skip it. The second segment shifts to mental health awareness, featuring Noreen Jaramillo and Krista Wingate from Emergence Health Network. Jaramillo states the organization serves 35,000-40,000 people annually across more than 16 locations, offering services for adults, children, substance use, and intellectual developmental disabilities. She highlights the 24/7 crisis helpline accessible at 915-887-1700 or the national 988 number, and a walk-in crisis center at 1601 Yarbrough Drive. Wingate discusses the importance of normalizing conversations about mental health to overcome stigma, particularly in the Hispanic community where such topics can be dismissed. She debunks the myth that seeking help automatically leads to intensive services like hospitalization or frequent therapy, framing it instead as gaining resources and options. A surprising claim from Jaramillo, learned from mental health experts, is the importance of being direct when concerned about suicide, by asking "Are you thinking of killing yourself?" rather than avoiding the topic. Wingate advises that signs of suicidal ideation can vary greatly but may include social isolation, neglect of personal routines or pets, and giving away possessions. She recommends the "LUV" acronym for talking with adolescents: Listen, Understand, and Validate. The segment's tone is educational and empathetic, aiming to demystify mental health resources and encourage help-seeking behavior. This conversation would resonate with parents, caregivers, educators, or anyone interested in community health resources, though listeners solely interested in the first topic might tune out.

As heard by us

A practical public-service conversation about family nutrition and cooking education.

This segment presents Common Threads as a national nonprofit centered on cooking and nutrition education for children and families, while also giving clear attention to caregiver workshops, meal prep, batch cooking, and outreach to schools and community organizations.

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Why you'd press play

You want practical nutrition guidance for busy weeknights.

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