Holly Yzquierdo

When you hear that someone has post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), what is the first thing that comes to your mind?

Do you think of veterans who have fought for our country, women who have suffered at the hands of abusers or children shuffled through the foster care system? Anyone who experiences trauma or witnesses tragedy can get PTSD.

On October 30, the Catholic Charities office got a little spooky. Senior Programs Director Carrie Mascaro organized a Halloween potluck and costume contest. Awards were given for most unique, funny, elaborate and for full team engagement.

When children are removed from their homes and placed in foster care, they are given a trash bag or two in which they can take a few of their belongings. Their whole world, everything that was important to them, gets transported in a trash bag.

To raise awareness about domestic violence people across Arizona are encouraged to wear purple on October 15 each year for #AZWearPurpleDay.

Originally from Burma, Sara arrived to the United States in 2011 at age 17 after a prolonged stay in a Malaysian refugee camp.  Sara and her cousins left for Malaysia in search of education and a safe place as the military dictatorship in Burma closed their school.