The El Paso United Family Resiliency Center invites the community to participate in commemorating the city’s healing since the Aug. 3, 2019 tragedy.
As we approach the five-year mark of that fateful day of Aug. 3, 2019, many El Pasoans find themselves reflecting on the profound impact it had and continues to have in our community. This milestone is not just a marker of time but a testament to the enduring tenacity and unity that have defined our city’s journey from sorrow to healing.
On that day five years ago, a tragic act of violence occurred when an individual from outside our community traveled a great distance with the intent to harm people based on their nationality and ethnicity. This devastating event resulted in the loss of 23 of our neighbors, left countless others injured, and deeply affected the heart of El Paso.
Alberto Ruiz, senior director of community resilience at United Way of El Paso County, remembers the immediate shock that stilled the community in the aftermath, and the grief that echoed throughout the city and into every home.
However, what he remembers most is how an extraordinary resilience emerged from the depths of this tragedy – a collective determination to support one another, rebuild and heal as a community. Without hesitation, neighbors quickly became pillars of strength, and strangers became allies in their shared grief. This spirit of solidarity has been the foundation of El Paso’s recovery and growth over the past five years.
“After the initial weeks had passed, a lot of people believed that everything would go back to what it once was and that we had come to the end, or rather reached the extent of our community’s healing,” Ruiz said. “In reality, it was just the beginning of a long road to collective and individual recovery, and five years later, our city is still healing.”
At the heart of this journey stands Ruiz and his team of Resiliency Navigators, who through the El Paso United Family Resiliency Center have dedicated themselves to providing a beacon of hope and healing for those directly and indirectly impacted by Aug. 3.
As a program of the United Way of El Paso County, the Family Resiliency Center has been instrumental in guiding our community through the complex process of recovery. Its resource navigation services have connected countless individuals and families with vital support, from traditional counseling and therapy to non-traditional healing practices such as art therapy and community activities. These resources have been crucial in addressing the emotional and psychological needs of our city, fostering long-term resilience and growth.
As the city honors the memories of those we lost, we also celebrate the remarkable progress we have made together. The upcoming fifth Day of Remembrance is an opportunity for us to reflect on our shared journey and to recommit ourselves to the values of unity and compassion that sustained us during one of the darkest days in El Paso’s history.
Our community has come a long way since 2019, and acts of service have played a crucial role in our healing journey, reminding us that kindness heals and strengthens the bonds within our community. This five-year mark allows us to look forward to a future of hope and ongoing healing for our beautiful Sun City. By coming together at the Healing Garden at Ascarate Park on August 3rd starting at 5:30pm, we can continue building a community that remembers and grows stronger with each passing day, healing with hope.
For more information about this year’s Day of Remembrance, or to learn more about the El Paso Family Resiliency Center and how healing after August 3rd is possible, visit elpasounitedfrc.org.
If you or a loved one was impacted by the August 3rd tragedy, the El Paso United Family Resiliency Center offers support and resources. Please call (915) 273-3484 to begin your healing journey.
