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UTEP CARE Program Chosen as NOVA 2021 Honorary Awardee

Last Updated on May 02, 2021 at 12:00 AM

Originally published May 02, 2021

By Victor R. Martinez

UTEP Communications

The University of Texas at El Paso’s Campus Advocacy, Resources and Education (CARE) office was recently named an honorary awardee by the National Organization for Victim Assistance.

The University of Texas at El Paso’s Campus Advocacy, Resources and Education (CARE) office was recently named an honorary awardee by the National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA) for its efforts to support UTEP students who are victims of crime. NOVA marked the honor for UTEP and other institutions during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 18-24, 2021. On the UTEP campus, the week included various events, including a hybrid virtual and in-person Take Back the Night, which was hosted by the CARE program on April 22. Photo: J.R. Hernandez / UTEP Communications
The University of Texas at El Paso’s Campus Advocacy, Resources and Education (CARE) office was recently named an honorary awardee by the National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA) for its efforts to support UTEP students who are victims of crime. NOVA marked the honor for UTEP and other institutions during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 18-24, 2021. On the UTEP campus, the week included various events, including a hybrid virtual and in-person Take Back the Night, which was hosted by the CARE program on April 22. Photo: J.R. Hernandez / UTEP Communications

The University’s CARE team is committed to providing emotional support and empowerment to UTEP students who are victims of crime by working alongside them during their recovery process.

“It is an honor to be recognized for the dedication and hard work the CARE team has exhibited,” said Arely Z. Hernandez, CARE program director. “This honorary award puts UTEP in the national spotlight and as a leader for campus advocacy and victim services.”

Since the campus-based program’s inception in 2017, CARE has seen an increase in the number of individuals seeking direct victim services, including counseling services and student engagement in educational programs.

The program successfully maintained its efforts to assist students even amid the shift to remote learning necessitated by the onset of COVID-19, when many students who are victims felt isolated, lost and alone.

CARE worked diligently to develop, improve and advance its services by utilizing a victim-centered, trauma-informed approach to provide confidential direct service that met students’ needs.

Although UTEP was not selected as the final recipient for this award, the University will receive  recognition as a NOVA 2021 Honorary Awardee in honor of CARE’s tireless efforts to advance crime victims’ rights.

“You were nominated for this recognition by your colleagues, whom collectively recognize the critical  impact you make on a daily basis,” said Andy Yurick, president of the Board of Directors for NOVA. “Your unwavering dedication to assisting and empowering victims and survivors of crime is an inspiration to us all. Most significantly, your extraordinary compassion, leadership and ingenuity in your work has helped countless victims and survivors begin to heal in the aftermath of a crime.”

As a NOVA 2021 Honorary Awardee, NOVA featured CARE and other nominees on its website and social media pages during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW), April 18-24, 2021.

In April, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) is a national observance annually that promotes victims’ rights and services. For the last four years, UTEP CARE has had the honor to receive a state grant from the Office of the Texas Governor to provide confidential campus victim services and education to the UTEP community. 

About CARE

Campus Advocacy, Resources and Education (CARE) seeks to empower students through education by providing advocacy, resources and supportive services to UTEP students, staff and faculty members who have suffered physical, sexual, financial, or emotional harm because of an incident on or off campus. To learn more about CARE, visit www.utep.edu/care.