It's Where I Am with Zandra Polard

Wesley Knight 0:00
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Dr. David Gennis 0:40
foreign Good morning Las Vegas. This is Dr David jennis, and you're listening to 91.5 FM, K, U, N, V, and this is, it's where I am. I'm filling in for Zandra Pollard, who has the month off of August, so you'll be hearing me for the next five weeks. I have what I think a really heart touching episode today where I have the privilege of inviting one of my close friends on to share his story from being a sex trafficking victim to becoming a certified mediator and restorative justice practitioner. Good morning. Edward Cervantes, how are you?

Edward Cervantes 1:30
Oh, good. Thank you, David, thank you for inviting me onto your podcast. Yeah. So I wanted to start and commemorate and congratulate Vegas PBS for providing me my certificate, mediation, restorative justice, in which I received a 99.98 GPA on my modules.

Dr. David Gennis 1:48
Oh, whoa, 99.8 GPA, 99.980 my goodness, that's incredible. I mean, you couldn't just have the 99% you had to have the point nine eight as well. I mean, that's just a testament of how hard you worked to accomplish that task. And it was a privilege for me to be present when Edward was awarded his certificate in mediation and restorative justice, and what an accomplishment it was. Congratulations again.

Edward Cervantes 2:16
Thank you. Yes. So I want to start with like how my career coach with employee youth hub is Tina Dotson Hogan. She was doing inspiration during this challenging time, because it was hard getting through the modules and dealing with life. Currently, I'm going through displacement well, getting past displacement, overcoming it, getting my job that I had a job at hard rock and thanks to your motivational speeches, I guess, or your outlook on life, it showed me you got to take initiative, and you cannot let your struggles define you.

Dr. David Gennis 2:53
Well, I'm appreciative that you find that my disclosures to you are motivational, and not that I'm harping on you or trying to pick on you, it's just that you've come so far, and when I had the opportunity to hear your story, I just felt that it was so inspirational, at least for me, that I really believe that our listeners on it's where I am. Could just benefit and be inspired from listening to how far you've come. And so it's really, I think this, this episode, is going to be an awesome opportunity, hopefully, to inspire hope and others who've had some challenging times and can see that they're not alone, that we all go through different challenging times, and that we can come out of it, though. And so that's really what I'm hoping that our listeners will take away today from listening and hearing your story. Yeah,

Edward Cervantes 3:54
what was that say? Like, so if

Dr. David Gennis 3:57
you want to just start from the beginning when you were 15 years old, and kind of some of the challenges that you were going through at that

Edward Cervantes 4:07
time. Yes, so Well, my I was kicked out of my home when I was 13. My mother kicked me out of my home, and so I was out and about. You know, doing dealing with things, I dropped out of school. I was in the gate program in elementary school until eighth grade, when my mother kicked me out at the age of 13. Then I got myself placed back in school once my grandmother because I was in state custody. So, you know, the DCFS doesn't have good you know, they don't have a good program. They let you sign yourself out of group homes like one in the morning, and you know, you're just out doing delinquent things.

Dr. David Gennis 4:46
So at 13 years old, you were put in a position where you had to start figuring life out on your own, without really having that adult mentorship for a period

Edward Cervantes 4:57
of time. Yes, basically. Okay, but it's more so, like, I never really had that. I said I was in the gate program, and since preschool, it's been, I don't really know how to explain it, but

Dr. David Gennis 5:10
yeah, so some people have called you a prodigy, and I get to spend time with you. And so you know your level of intelligence is far superior to many, including my own. And half the time when we engage in our conversations together, you know, I have to go look up on chat, CPT, because I need to know what you're talking about. And so, you know, you've been blessed by being given this brain, which I believe has certainly contributed to the positive outcomes that have come out of all this adversity that you've had to experience at such a young age. You know, can you speak about that in terms of you know, you were in foster care for a period of time before you were able to transition into your grandma's home and just talk about some of your experiences that kind of encouraged you, motivated you to start, you know, making changes.

Edward Cervantes 6:13
Well, I like, I feel like it's just a matter of, you just got to take initiative yourself. That's what it was for me. I was out of school. I said I need to go back to school, and being from an underrepresented population, because growing up in watts in South Central California, how are they going to let someone like not be provided education? So to get initiative and got myself back placed, back in school, and so I think everyone just needs will. There be an understanding where everyone, like, as you, your practice, is in holistic care. It should be attributed to holistic governance and holistic health care and well being meant for all

Dr. David Gennis 6:52
well, I want you to talk about that a little bit later in this episode. You know, I when you said the word initiative, that each person needs to take initiative, I find that that's really challenging for a lot of individuals, to find that within themselves to feel that level of motivation, and particularly when someone is feeling overwhelmed and that they feel that life is just being thrown at them in every which way and and that they're just trying to make sense of their life in that specific moment at such a young age, though, for you to be able to just recognize that that's what needed to happen so that you could have this big change start happening in your life, I think that's pretty amazing.

Edward Cervantes 7:43
Thank you for that. Well, you, I've been in a dark spot, I guess, for the past, since my most recent displacement occurrence, and meaning you, I say, helped me spark that back up, because I wasn't taking initiative. And I guess I was just, I don't even know what to call that, because I wasn't necessarily roaming or just going with the flow, because that would even mean, like, taking account, like, at least being on, I don't

Dr. David Gennis 8:11
know. Well, you've been very politically correct, and you've been using the word displaced, and I want the listeners to fully understand that you were homeless for a good period of time and well,

Edward Cervantes 8:25
okay, see, that's the thing. With displacement and homelessness, different difference. No one's ever homelessness and no one's ever homeless. There's programs and things that help you get self sufficient. And you know, it's only a matter of people just need to gain access or being known of these things, and then I'm sure people would have the self sufficiency to Excel.

Dr. David Gennis 8:50
Now, you were staying at one point in a Las Vegas shelter, Catholic Charities, yes. And so what specific programs assisted you, and you know during this time, as far as you know, being able to recognize what was available, as far as the support and the different programs.

Edward Cervantes 9:12
Well, they provide, like with the shelter, you have to line up at 4pm Well, if you have a job, they allow they have this 30 day program that lets you save up money, and if you attribute it with another program, courtyard, which is right alongside Catholic Charities, they pay with moving costs, so they help you get into your place and be self sufficient to get the money to keep your place. And I haven't used that utilize that program, but I have utilized the welfare set aside program and my employment before my last employment, when I was told by a law firm I was too humble. But before that, I worked at summer house and attributed to the welfare set aside. They help with my movement costs. They pay your security deposit and they put you in place, but they have to know you have Inc um. Steady income. So there's those two programs and apply to the current displacement and program retaliation. I would like to thank the Violence Against Women Act that's extended to male individuals who are victims of human sex trafficking, like myself, or victims of domestic violence or any other type of violence that mean harassment or stalking.

Dr. David Gennis 10:21
So that is the violence against women's act. Yes, that is legislature that is used to help both women and men who have been subjected to sex trafficking and or domestic violence,

Edward Cervantes 10:40
any type of violence, for that matter, stalking, harassment, just to provide, you know, that spark that people need to know. You know, not get untouched. You're untouchable, but you I'm not sure if I'm explaining, but you know, provide that spark, I expect it to help, because someone that vulnerable would need protections. In that matter, feeling like they're worth anything, nothing, if that was the case, I'm just speaking from, you know, general perspective, not general perspective. I don't know I want to use the wrong term, but I'm just saying my outlook on it when,

Dr. David Gennis 11:12
well, I think I appreciate that you are open to not speak in absolutism and and that, what I heard is that this piece of legislature really helped you recognize your self worth.

Edward Cervantes 11:34
Well, I wouldn't say that much, but maybe it helped me understand how to humble myself a bit, but I don't, I'm not sure if I'm attributing it right, because

Dr. David Gennis 11:47
yeah, so I heard, though this is what I took away from what you were just saying, Edward, is that You had the spark that it gave you this internal feeling or thought process that helped you believe again, where you had the tools internally to start the process of moving forward and making things happen. And I think it relates back to what you said, even what you recognize in yourself all the way back when you were like 1314, 15, is that you needed to be initiative, to take initiative.

Edward Cervantes 12:29
And I think that would lead back to how you sparked it back like key to have Miss Tina dots and Hogan helped me understand I cannot let my struggles define me. And yeah, it did help me, because I actually was going a little behind on my modules. And, you know, actually looking into my lease, seeing how the AWA protects perfection, protections, how you can't be evicted nor denied assistance countless others like attributes, just how statute of statutes of limitations cannot be applied to those protected individuals. So yeah, I guess it can be a little bit of ego, or, I'm not sure how that, but I guess I should admit Yes, I was a little down, and I'm thankful for acts like this that provide they're able to provide that spark, I guess, for people who are feeling little down, like how I was at the time, but maybe we just need more people like you in the world. That's

Dr. David Gennis 13:25
kind of you, Edward, to say that, you know, I just believe that individuals have the capacity to make positive change. And I've been doing this work as a therapist for a long time, almost 25 years, and I always say that when I stop believing in this idea that people can change, that I need to retire, and at that point I need to go do something else. And you know, I do believe in the human spirit, that there are nice people out there and people who genuinely want to be of service to others, because maybe their calling and what they're drawn to is wanting to help others and be of positive support. And for so many people, it just takes that one person that believes in you that it's going to not take a risk, but take a risk, and wanting to make effort and encouraging that individual and building up that individual and being their cheerleader on the side, rooting them on and encouraging them to just become the best version of themselves that one possibly can be so I see you know, I want you to talk a little bit about your certificate, because it's in my eyes, you accomplish something that is really remarkable. And I want our listeners to have a little bit more perspective regarding what are. Is that you are capable of doing with this certification?

Edward Cervantes 15:03
Well, yes, not only did I receive my certificate in mediation, restorative justice from Vegas, PBS with the GPA mentioned, I also received certificates commendation, certificates of recognition from the Governor's state legislation office from Cath from United States Secret Senator Catherine Cortez, Maestro, miss. Dena Titus, I've received a proclamation from Clark County attributed to my how my work to create change and restorative justice, based on ADR, on in court model, which attributes to taking feelings into account an instigation, versus how in arbitration arbitrary cases, you're not allowed to take pain and suffering into account for instigation on a case that's suing another individual for pain and suffering. Well,

Dr. David Gennis 15:54
to me, you know, when I listen to you speak about your choice of career. I'm always impressed, because your command of understanding law legislative statutes is just so impressive to me, and that where you're able to recall these statutes and talk about them and have a grasp on how to implement them appropriately, correctly in in this law type setting. And so congratulations again. I think it's such a huge accomplishment that you were able to complete the education and the training to receive this certification with a lot of outside, external stressors that were kind of coming your way.

Edward Cervantes 16:48
Yeah, it was, well, I would like to take accountability for some of the acts, because sometimes there's some things that should not be done, and sometimes it can be ego that comes into account. So with that said, like, I just want to make the world better and try to help as much as I can. And with that said, like, how is there to be justice when it's not restoring, when it's not restoring, you have to restore something in order for there to be justice. That's

Dr. David Gennis 17:17
a really well said point. And sorry, you know I you know you have been referenced as a prodigy, and you know you are unbelievably intelligent. And you know when I hear you speak, and your ability, your grasp of information, and the rate at which you're able to recall it and talk about specific things can be a little intimidating for some people, including myself. I'm just always in awe, because I enjoy listening to you speak, but you know you mentioned the word ego, and maybe sometimes needing to check one's ego so that we can accomplish certain tasks, maybe in a more effective way. Now, do you feel though that during these difficult times in your life where you were really, really challenged, do you think or believe that it was partially your ego that helped you be able to stand up and to move forward in a positive way.

Edward Cervantes 18:24
I don't think so. I think it was more so I needed to sit down and read a book and maybe, like, relax, maybe slow down, I would say, because that's really slow down, take a grasp of air and just realize the bigger picture. I

Dr. David Gennis 18:39
think that's a really well well taken point is that I don't think one would initially think in similar situations that you've encountered, that that perspective would come to mind, but it makes sense to me, though being able to with all the chaos that is maybe ensuing around one person or a family, and to be able to kind of step back from a situation that is really challenging and distressing, to be able to take a breath and gain a new perspective that is tough, that can really be tough, sometimes for many individuals, and yet, somehow you were able to figure out that that's what you needed, and you were able to do it

Edward Cervantes 19:28
well. It goes back to how you said, because there's always been, you know, you're always going to find one person. There's going to be someone there that's going to try to uplift your day at least. And you should let that one moment give you that spark, which I do it provides hope, I guess, because I would say that's what hope is attributes to Yeah, I would say that's what hope is.

Dr. David Gennis 19:51
Well, I love hearing you say that, because for many people to believe in someone else and to believe in someone. One else's good nature really falls back to having a certain level of trust in that person, in humanity, in the human spirit, and that can be very difficult for many people, dependent upon an individual's lived life experience and trauma and how that impacts one's thinking about having trust in others and in relationships. I mean, that could be a whole other episode of it's where I am, and that's something I know that you've, you've, you know, worked on as far as being able to get to a place of giving people the benefit of doubt and working towards believing in that good natured human spirit,

Edward Cervantes 20:48
yeah, I would say so people. Yeah. I mean, if it makes you smile, it should make you want to keep

Dr. David Gennis 20:56
going. That's a powerful statement. If it makes you smile, it shouldn't make you want to keep Yeah, yeah. I like that. I like that a lot. Well, part of this show is I really like to provide a certain level of psycho education to our listeners so that they can walk away from each episode feeling like something that can impact their life in a positive way came out from listening to it's where I am. And so just to provide a little psycho education about the effects of sex trafficking, the impact on an individual really can be so significant, and it touches so many different life domains, such as physical and psychological trauma. Sometimes physical abuse may be involved, and that will lead to also its separate individual psychological impact, that addiction, at times, can be onset as a result of being sex trafficked, that there's this loss of autonomy and freedom that leads to isolation and this feeling of loss of control. Now Edward, one of these effects of sex trafficking, and the research that I did says that there is social stigma associated with this topic that we're discussing, did you feel like you experienced any negative social stigma?

Edward Cervantes 22:26
No, I think you would be just the sense of false representation of freedom and attributed to why regulation versus representation is bound to get so reticulate, attributed to how. Yeah, let's just leave that topic for another day. But key aspect how I think, how I said, there should be more people like you, people should go there should be advocating for people who have actually experienced these types of situations and are able to provide and oversee, oversee it with Outlook like

Dr. David Gennis 23:00
so I'd like to provide some statistics regarding this topic. So in the United States and in the world, sex trafficking is the fastest growing crime, and that individuals that are kidnapped, if you will, or led to be sex trafficked, are around 15 years old, that that's the average age of the victims entering the sex trade. Yeah,

Edward Cervantes 23:28
it's well, how I was going to say how children are able to be taken away from their mother by the state? Because when I was taken away from my family and put in state custody, I was able to sign myself out of group home and 1am and the TCFs did not take into account, and have walked out. And what teenagers we we smoking weed. They're twerking in the in the in the parking lot when we're supposed to be there, like getting put in home, like being provide, providement of a family to get you know, opportunity, like what I said the false representation of freedom. So like I said, people should be more were aware of what's available. It should be made known. The propaganda should be utilized for what it's worth, not for what it's to be shown. So

Dr. David Gennis 24:14
one of my passions as a clinical therapist is working with youth and sorry their families that are involved in the foster care system. It's just always been something that I've leaned in wood towards working with foster care youth just warms my heart and my passion has been for years and years and years, helping adolescent and families to heal and move forward and make sense, really, of their individualized situations, so that they can be happy and be healthy and be able to move forward in a positive way, where then they can impact those around them in a positive way. Yes, I.

Edward Cervantes 25:00
Offer framework for contribution, for community engagement and participation, attributed to sponsored legislation already in effect. SB 245, SB 243, the Grow Act, the A, G, O, A,

Dr. David Gennis 25:11
so for those of you who have known someone that was sex trafficking, I want to provide some resources here in Nevada that individuals can seek out if you're needing support regarding this specific topic. So one of the resources are the National Human Trafficking Hotline, and the number for this hotline is 888-373-7888, another more closer to home supportive service that's available here in Southern Nevada is the Southern Nevada Human Trafficking Task Force, and that Number is 702-828-3455,

Dr. David Gennis 25:59
and just an agency that really provides comprehensive services for victims and survivors of sex trafficking is signs of hope, and this agency can be reached by calling 702-936-4004,

Dr. David Gennis 26:19
Edward, I just want to really thank you for taking time with me to speak on it's where I am, and to share a little bit about your story and how far you've come. And it's really been a privilege for me to be part of your journey on a small level, just to see all the extraordinary things that you're accomplishing. And for listeners of it's where I am. I'm Dr David jennis, clinical and public relations director for great mind counseling and Wellness Center, and I look forward to bringing you more mental health episodes over the next five weeks. Thanks so much for listening this morning. Bye, bye. You.

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