Finding Your Way Through the Chaos - Thank You!

It’s true what they say: it takes a tribe to carry you through life’s darkest moments. I am incredibly thankful for every soul who has taken the time to be at my side, through every high and low.

Sometimes, we find ourselves feeling utterly lost and alone. But the moment we are ready to ask for and accept help, something remarkable happens: the right people emerge. Despite the internal battles of our thoughts, emotions, and past experiences, there is an undeniable good in people. If we could only approach life with curiosity and an open heart, so many more would step forward and walk with us.

To those of you who know precisely who you are – the warriors who bravely walk the path less traveled – my profound appreciation. We are in this together. And to the astonishing strangers who have shown unexpected compassion, and to all who choose to help amplify our voices so we are heard, seen, and never forgotten: thank you for being the light.

Our Hearts will continue to Thrive!

Thank you Broeske & Musson at KMJ Now Radio

https://omny.fm/shows/broeske-and-musson/parole-fighting-back-against-the-tower-district-rapist

Walmart in Clovis, CA, thank you for allowing me to set at table and collect signatures for the letters headed out to the California State Board of Parole.

  

Tower District Market                                                            Tower District Deli Delicious    

Thank you Component & The Alchemist for your support

God's grace given to me by Saint Theresa's & my loving husband.

The amazing team at Envision Realty Inc, the office of Ana Caballero, dear member of the South Tower Community Land Trust.

Fresno City College for all the love and support!

Thank you Quiq Labs LLC for your unwavering support.

My strong Latina women in my life!

My God give me the courage to keep going and not stop! 

Together we will be the impact our community needs! My dear family, friends, survivors, warriors, you know who you are, my deepest gratitude!

Our Hearts Thrive!

 

HELP KEEP TOWER RAPIST BEHIND BARS!

Call to action: https://www.fresnoda.org/News-Media/News-Releases/PRESS-CONFERENCE-ANNOUNCEMENT-DA-OPPOSES-PAROLE-FOR-CONVICTED-SERIAL-RAPIST-RUDOLPH-MARTIN-ACOSTA

In Service to Victims: Strategies to Promote Healing and Restoration of Victims

In Service to Victims: Strategies to Promote Healing and Restoration of Victims @CPOC what an amazing conference! Held June 26, 2024

It was more than just an event – it was a powerful reminder of the transformative impact victim services can have. It was an honor to be with CPOC, the organization that provided me with the care and support I desperately needed during a dark time in my life. Without their intervention, I wouldn't be the person standing here today. They quite literally saved my life.

Today, I stand before you not as a victim, but as a testament to the power of healing and the difference collaboration can make. Fresno Victim Services doesn't just help victims heal; they're leading the charge by showing other probation offices and victim service organizations how collaboration can be a game changer.

Victim Services Centers are often an under-appreciated resource within the justice system. Fresno County Probation Victim Assistance Center, under the exceptional leadership of Chief Probation Officer Kirk Haynes, understands the importance of putting victims' needs front and center. Their innovative approach fosters healing not just for victims, but also for those who have caused harm.

Karen Roach, Assistant Deputy Chief Probation Officer, exemplifies true leadership. Her experience, knowledge, and unwavering compassion are an inspiration to all. She understands the profound need victims/survivors have to find their voice, to be seen, heard, and validated.

The dedicated team at Fresno's Victim Services is more than just a team – they're warriors. They fight for victims when they feel they can't fight for themselves. They are the true heroes.

Special Recognition

⭐Melinda Taylor, Senior Victim & Witness Advocate, Fresno County Probation

⭐Luis Carbajal, Victim Witness Advocate, Fresno County Probation

⭐Brandie Razo, Victim & Witness Advocate, Fresno County Probation

RAINN @ Paramar Foundation - Sexual Assault Awareness

Stop sexual assault & rape! Stop the silence! We will not be quiet! 

Together our 💗Hearts Will Thrive!

Paramar Foundation is on a mission to fill a space much needed! Thank you for choosing to take action in helping the community find the mental health support needed.

Paramar Foundation's Mission:

To guarantee that every woman or girl who is a victim of sexual assault has access to psychological support.

We are dedicated to providing psychological support to women and girls who are victims of sexual assault and to make these services available for free to those in need. We accomplish this through external and internal projects, funded with 100% of our profits and donations. Donate, follow, share: https://www.paramar.org/en

Do you or a loved one need therapy: https://www.paramar.org/en/request-therapy

RAINN is a national network, helping our community who have experienced - 

Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network. I have found my tribe in this great network of caring volunteers and staff who continue to find ways to impact our lives and guide us in the journey of healing! It is a journey not a race and you are amazing as you are, you can and will thrive! 

RAINN'S MISSION

RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE, online.rainn.org y rainn.org/es) in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country and operates the DoD Safe Helpline for the Department of Defense. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help survivors, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.

When there is collaboration we are able to make an impact in lives of many! I choose to be the change I want to see in the 🌎 world! Will you join me?

Our Hearts Will Thrive

 

survivor's empowerment retreat

Our Heart's 💗Thrive! 

What does healing after rape look like! You seek your tribe and you will find a group of amazing people who understand it is a journey and not a race to the end!  

In my journey across California I have found many victims and survivors like myself! Our voices need to be heard! Our stories written and actions taken to change the course of our lifes! Through engaging and continuing to advocate for the change we want to see in the world!

How do you want to live your life? 

Who are you?

Seek and you will find out! You are not alone, we are warriors and are very capable of our HEARTS THRIVING after a violent rape! Don't stop living, take your life back! I am always here for you and your loved one's, I'm just a call away: 559 458-9908 or via email: MirnaNGarcia@gmail.com
 

Year Later March 2021

One of my proudest moments was being recognized by the City of Fresno District Attorney as a Courageous Citizen.

Upon receiving this award, I felt as if I was not enough, not deserving! In my opinion the ones who deserved to be recognized and given ongoing support was all the man and woman in law enforcement: the detectives, officers, district attorney, and forensics. 

As I reflect on this day, it is a reminder that even thou we feel alone, we have a whole community of people willing and able to help!

As a survivor of rape and the ongoing battle of keeping the perpetrator behind bars and finding a way to change the laws which allow the perpetrator to keep violating us every time it is time for the parole hearing! The laws must be amended or changed to protect the survivors and families of those impacted by a violent crime! I will continue to look for the group or organization, who will help me with this cause! I will not rest until I have accomplished this, then I will feel worthy of that award.

Court Minutes-Part 3

The mission for change, must go on! Sharing the court minutes from the prosecution:
Upon reviewing the police report from that July night, and breaking down in a rage of emotions. I realized I had so much work to do and information to gather. My belief was the more information I had available to provide to the DA and anyone else who would need it, would alleviate their workload.
Felt as if I was in for the fight of our lives. Yes the fight of our lives, doing nothing meant that Rudolph Acosta would have an opportunity to be released early. Rudolph being released early was not an option, not at the risk of another human being being raped or killed.
Maybe a part of me also felt as if this, gave me some control over it all. In a time when I felt as if I would crumble, and crawl into a corner and cry uncontrollably. Taking charge to some extent gave me power over the fear that sometimes consumes me.
It is important you understand if you are going through this or a loved one is dealing with an early parole hearing of rape, that you allow them to go through the emotions in their own way. However also allowing others to help, ask for the help you need, it takes a tribe of amazing devoted people to get you through. God did not intend for us to be alone and take on a battle alone.
Sharing even now brings me to tears, however I know in time this will get better, as we learn to talk about our journeys, stop the stigma, change the laws that allow us to be revictimized!

The following is the minutes from the initial court hearing of the 8 who had enough evidence to move forward. I know there was many more victims, and my love and strength is found in all of you! I will not stop.
I warn you this might be difficult to read, however I promised that I would share my journey with all of you to help you and your loved ones! You are not alone! The names and addresses of others has been blocked out to protect their identities.

COVID-19 - Making a Difference - Fresno

Hello my dear friends,
We have been impacted by the COVID-19 epidemic. All of us have been focused on taking care of our loved ones. The craziness at the stores, out of the basic necessities, such as milk, eggs, milk, meat, bread and the current currency my kids joke about toilet paper. The shelter in place is difficult however extremely important to stop or slow down the spread of COVID-19.
I chose to not share my thoughts last week, because I was overcome with anger and the feeling of surrender. All because I am on a mission to change the conversations and laws around rape, and it will absolutely slow down at this time. With our communities and government being focused on what is most important right now our families will being. However I will not give up, will continue to share my journey with you, through all this. My hope is that you will take the time to read my blogger and know you are not alone. If you or your loved one has experienced rape or been a victim of a violent offense, know you are not alone and I am here to help however I can.
Life goes on and we will survive this! My prayers and love for all, may God protect you and your loved ones, may God shield our medical teams, the workers in the food industry, the truck drivers on the road making the endless deliveries to the stores in attempts to keep the shelves stocked with the necessities our communities need, may God give our government officials wisdom and strength to get us through this.

Here is a picture of my loved ones during this time, keeping our family safe and happy, what matters, to you?

Police Report - Part 2

I promised I would share my story and here is another difficult a hard part of the process.

Upon receiving the parole hearing letter in April 2019 I contacted the DA's (District Attorney's) office to find out what I needed to do. I was filled with a mix of emotions, anger, profound sadness, confusion, and fear not knowing how the parole hearing process works. Last thing I expected was that Rudolph Acosta would ask for early release, after serving less then half his sentence.

It was shocking to find out the person assigned to the hearing did not know anything about the case when I called. The DA seemed shocked when I said "There was 22 victims and I wanted to know if they were aware of the parole hearing for Rudolph Acosta, known as the Tower District Rapist?" He stated that he would review the file and get to working on it. At this point I felt compelled to obtain as much information as I could to help the DA and myself prepare for the hearing. Came to reality Rudolph has probably spent the last 25 years preparing for this date, his parole hearing in October 2019. I only had three months to prepare.

It would later understand, the DA had multiple files he was working on that where coming up before mine. My parole hearing was still three months out. To me it is the only case I had to work on and meant so much to me, to make sure I did everything in my power to keep Rudolph Acosta in prison. There was no way I would hide in fear and do nothing. Someone like Rudolph Acosta who stocked and raped multiple woman would stop now! Couldn't allow him to be given an opportunity to hurt one more person!
I went down to the Fresno Police department to obtain a copy of the police reports from July 18, 1991.
Sharing the documents obtained from FPD to help you understand the journey and why I am choosing to continue on this mission to give a voice to victims/survivors, and family members of rape and violent crimes. Also most importantly change the laws that allow this to happen!

I must warn you the documents below may be difficult to read.

Notice of Hearing - Part 1

I will share my story & journey with all of you, in faith that this will help someone out there. You are not alone! 

This all started back in 1991 during a July night in my own home. I was only 16 and was woken up by someone who broke into my home, while my parents, my little sister, brothers where asleep, in the their rooms. Woken up by this man who held a gun at the side of my head. When he noticied I wanted to fight back, he was quick to say "I know where everyone is sleeping and I will kill them if I don't do as I ask!" I was taken out of my home and raped in the back of a vacant house next door! 

My life was changed forever, and now I share my story. Working towards being the voice for many who are afraid or don't know how to be heard! I will not be silent, I will not live in fear! Taking my life back!

The following is the letter that I recieved last year, 3 months before the parole hearing and what was to be the beginning of my mission to make a difference: