Epstein receives Cecilia Gastón Award for support of Latinx communities

Yale Child Study Center (YCSC) Assistant Professor Carrie Epstein was recently awarded the 2023 Cecilia Gastón Award in honor of her longtime partnership with the Violence Intervention Program (VIP) in supporting Latinx communities in need.

Epstein, who also serves as co-director of the Yale Center for Traumatic Stress and Recovery and is the co-developer of the Child Traumatic Stress Intervention (CFTSI), was honored with the award at VIP’s annual awards benefit this year. Focused on The Power of Resilience, the event highlighted and celebrated the courage to create new paths for healing.

VIP is the only culturally specific organization in New York City with a mission to end the intergenerational cycle of domestic and sexual violence within Latinx communities. The award is named for Cecilia Gastón, who led VIP for ten years before retiring in 2018 and dedicated her life to fighting for women’s and immigrant’s rights. The award is bestowed on those who have made exceptional contributions to improving the well-being of Latinx children and families.

According to VIP Executive Director Margarita Guzmán, “Ms. Epstein’s longtime partnership in supporting Latinx communities in need, and her multi-year collaboration with VIP, has demonstrated her deep commitment to supporting the survivor community. Her work has been key in launching the Child Adolescent Program, VIP’s first clinical program working with Latinx children and adolescents impacted by domestic violence and sexual abuse.”

Guzmán explained that through the provision of ongoing consultation in program development and staff training in evidence-based treatment modalities, program staff are better equipped to support Latinx youth in their journey to healing and recovery. “We have been honored to partner with Ms. Epstein in implementing these groundbreaking interventions for traumatized children and families and developing cultural adaptations of these evidence-based trauma-focused treatments for Latinx children and families,” she said.

Epstein joins an impressive group of past honorees, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer; Senator Kristen Gillibrand; CEO of The New York Women’s Foundation and The Hispanic Federation Ana Oliveira; Co-founder of Futuro Media Group Maria Hinojosa; and TV/radio Host, Journalist and Novelist Carmen Rita Wong.