Great things are “springing” up at the Cannenta Center

Spring 2023

Hola comunidad,

As we welcome the arrival of April, we celebrate the second anniversary of the Cannenta Center for Healing and Empowerment. It’s hard to believe how quickly time has flown by and how much has happened in the past two year. We are reminded of the resilience, strength, and adaptability that we’ve demonstrated as individuals and as a community.

In this newsletter, we’ll take a look back at some of the highlights of the first quarter and explore what’s in store for the rest of the year. We’ll share inspiring stories of individuals who have overcome adversity, highlight our engagement in the community, and provide resources and tools to help you stay motivated and focused on your goals.

We’re excited to continue this journey with you and to support each other as we navigate the months ahead. Thank you for being a part of our community, and we hope that this newsletter will provide you with the inspiration and motivation you need to thrive in the coming months.

Best regards,

Dr. Leti Cavazos
CEO, Founder

Our Clients are the Best

We recently had the pleasure of working with a first-time therapy client who expressed great appreciation for the support and cultural sensitivity provided by our team. As a member of a minority community, the client was hesitant to seek therapy due to concerns about being understood and accepted. However, our team worked diligently to create a safe and welcoming space, and the client felt heard, validated, and empowered to work through their challenges.

The client expressed gratitude for the team's understanding of their cultural background, which allowed for a more personalized and effective therapeutic approach. It was a rewarding experience to witness the client's growth and transformation.

“As a Hispanic mother, I want to share my experience of receiving mental health help for my teenage child. At first, I was hesitant to seek help because of the stigma associated with mental health in our culture. However, after seeing my child struggling with anxiety and depression, I knew I needed to take action.

I reached out to Cannenta Center, and they were understanding and patient with both my child and me. They provided us with a safe and non-judgmental space to talk about our concerns and feelings. The therapist was also able to communicate with us in Spanish, which made it easier for us to open up and feel understood.

Through therapy, my child learned coping mechanisms to manage their anxiety and depression. As a mother, it was reassuring to see my child's progress and to know that they were receiving the support they needed. I also learned ways to support my child and improve communication with them.

Overall, seeking mental health help was one of the best decisions I made for my family. I hope that other Hispanic families can feel empowered to seek help when they need it and know that there are professionals who will provide culturally competent care.”

We are thrilled to mark a major milestone – the one-year anniversary of the Cannenta Foundation.

This past year has been a journey of hard work and dedication toward our mission to positively impact the lives of those we serve. As we reflect on our progress, we're filled with gratitude for our community's support and our team's tireless efforts. We look forward to continuing our work and making an even greater difference in the years to come!

Cannenta Center receives the 2023 Addison Business Hall of Fame award.

Cannenta Center for Healing and Empowerment has been selected two years in a row for the Best of Addison Awards for Mental Health Service and now qualifies for the 2023 Addison Business Hall of Fame.

Our Team is still Growing

Our newest team members are ready and taking new clients. Click here to make your appointment.

Vanessa Oliveros, LMSW

Vanessa is a bilingual (Spanish/English) social worker whose approach to counseling is based in compassionate, trauma-informed care. She enjoys working with children, teens, and adults. She has experience working with children and families in East Texas and is both EMDR and Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) trained. Vanessa earned her BSW from Lamar University and MSW from the University of Houston. She served in the Office of Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia and acted as a liaison between TX-29 constituents and the Congressional District TX-29 Staff. She also served as a Congressional Hispanic Caucus Intern spring of 2019.

Brenda Zavala, LCSW

Brenda is a bilingual (Spanish/English) clinical social worker. She has extensive experience working with culturally diverse clients. She is trained in Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Play Therapy. She enjoys working with children of all ages and has experience working with children who have been victims of physical and sexual abuse as a Bilingual Forensic Interviewer and bilingual therapist. She earned her MSW from Texas State University. Brenda identifies as a first-generation Mexican American and believes planting a little seed could be the push the client needs to build resiliency and obtain healing.

Check Out our Latest Article

Self-care has become an increasingly popular topic of conversation in recent years, and for good reason. In a world that can be chaotic and stressful, taking care of oneself has never been more important. The Hispanic community, in particular, has a long tradition of valuing self-care and incorporating it into daily life.

April 29 | 4 – 9 p.m

Greater North Texas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Cinco de Mayo Event

Parker Square Park, 1400 Cross Timbers Road, Flower Mound, TX 75028

60+ vendor booths, food, prizes, games for kids, performances by local artist, and plenty of great entertainment for the family.

May 4 | 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

2nd Annual Senior Hunger Summit & Resource Fair

Brisco Carpenter Livestock Center, 1403 Washington St., Dallas, TX 75210

Community resources and services for older adults to help them remain independent and thrive.

May 10 | 6 – 8 p.m.

North Side High School Health Fair and Fitness Night

North Side High School, 2211 McKinley Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76164

May 12

Opportunity Home San Antonio Mother’s Day Event

San Antonio

May 21 | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Bossfest Conference + Market

Coming to a Conference Near You

Find us presenting throughout the state!

May 4

Dallas Afterschool 2023 Conference

May 19

Hispanic Professional Association

August 7

Crimes Against Children Conference

Bring Our Team to Your Team

At Cannenta Center, we understand that providing quality services to the Hispanic community requires cultural sensitivity and a deep understanding of unique needs and beliefs. That's why we're passionate about offering a range of trainings, workshops, and educational classes for small and large groups, as well as community outreach initiatives.

Our goal is to empower individuals and organizations with the knowledge and tools they need to better serve Hispanic communities. Whether you're looking to enhance your cultural competency or broaden your outreach efforts, we have the expertise and resources to help you succeed.

Contact us today to learn more about how Cannenta Center can help you connect with Hispanic communities and provide culturally sensitive services that make a real difference.