By Terra Avilla
Some nights stick with you.
The Empowerment Banquet in Susanville, hosted by Courage Worldwide, was one of those nights. The kind where the room feels heavy, but in a way that matters.
For those who may not know, Courage Worldwide is an organization focused on supporting survivors of child sex trafficking and working to prevent it through education, advocacy and safe housing. The Empowerment Banquet is part awareness, part call to action a space to bring the community together, talk honestly about what’s happening and remind all of us that this isn’t someone else’s issue to solve.
Held at Community Church, every seat was filled and more importantly, people were present. Really present. You could feel it in the way the room grew quiet when people spoke, the way everyone leaned in instead of looking away.
I had the opportunity to sit on the panel, but truthfully, I was sitting next to some incredible people.
District Attorney Melyssah Rios shared what she sees every day, not in a polished or distant way, but in a real, honest way. The kind that makes you realize how close these issues actually are, and how important it is that we stop pretending they’re not.
Jayson Vial – I don’t think he’ll ever fully say how much he’s done, but it’s a lot. What he’s helped build and mobilize in this county to fight child sexual abuse is real and it is making a difference whether he takes credit for it or not.
And Christi Myers – I mean it when I say I could write about her every single week for this. She moderated the panel, but she also does so much more than that constantly showing up, supporting, organizing and making sure this work keeps moving forward. She’s just one of those people you’re really grateful your community has.
We also held space for Celeste Weiser, who had to step away because of an emergency, but her work through Lassen Resiliency Center was still very much felt. That work doesn’t stop and neither do the people behind it.
At one point I looked over at my husband, and he was locked in. Just listening. The same way so many people were while Melyssah and Jayson spoke. No distractions. Just… taking it in.
Because this isn’t something happening somewhere else.
Child sexual abuse and crimes against basic human rights are here. In communities like ours. And if we’re not paying attention, we’re missing it.
Jill Robbins stood up and called people in, not out, to do something. To learn more. To pay attention. To step up when something doesn’t feel right.
So, I’ll say it too. This is why we love this place.
Not because it’s perfect, but because of the people who are willing to have hard conversations, show up, and do something about it. Now it’s on the rest of us to do the same.
