Harry Bennett Local Author Series: Letitia Gottashe, a Hybrid Program

Letitia Gottashe will read selections from her memoir, I Ain’t Done Yet!, shedding light on the realities of child abuse and child sexual assault. She will also lead her Hybrid Community Book Drip and Panel Discussion on Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention.

The panel of local experts will lead an in-depth discussion on recognizing abuse, understanding victim behaviors, and accessing community resources for healing. This program fosters meaningful dialogue, lifelong learning, and community engagement, making it a vital space for awareness, support and reflection.

Panelists are: Jill Reyes, the Senior Director of the Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP) at Safe Horizon and Theresa Hedrington-Garcia, CEO & Founder of Hearts Place Services.

Registration required.

Letitia Gottashe is an author, child and family advocate, community organizer, and educator. She is a proud native New Yorker and the granddaughter of Caribbean immigrants. She has dedicated 35 years to education, working in federally funded programs like Head Start and Title I, emphasizing parent and community engagement.

Jill Reyes oversees the daily operation and supervision of managers and advocates within Brooklyn and Staten Island police precincts. She has developed partnerships with precinct leadership in each command to ensure that CVAP advocates can connect with, and support, victims of domestic violence and crime victims. Throughout her 19-plus-year career in the non-profit sector, she has held various roles working at the Bronx Criminal Court, Domestic Violence Police Program, Bronx Family Court program’s Supervised Visitation Program, and the Bronx Family Justice Center.

Theresa Hedrington-Garcia is a Bronx native with a bachelor’s degree in human services from Metropolitan College of New York, a master’s in special education from Hunter College, and an NYS family development certification from Lehman College. As a parent, grandparent and educator with personal experience in special needs, she founded Hearts Place Services to advocate for neurodiverse approaches in education, professional development, team-building and curriculum enhancement. With more than 20 years in education, she has built a strong reputation as a leading educational consultant in New York. She is dedicated to ensuring her clients achieve their goals, believing that being part of the solution is key.

Also available via Zoom; log in here at the scheduled time.