Meet Susie Vybiral

 

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Susie Vybiral a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Susie, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?

The derivative of my optimism can be summed up in one word: HOPE.

In a world full of doubt, negativity, and fear, I remain hopeful that there is good out there and there are people who wish the best for others. This hope is fostered by friends, colleagues, and organizations that are doing their best to make the world a better place. We are tasked daily with finding ways of moving forward in a world where nothing is guaranteed. Viewing circumstances and events through an optimistic lens has been an essential factor in terms of my developing maturity, drive, and resilience. Hope can be an opportunity for us to process events that seem insurmountable and let’s face it, there are plenty in the world today.

As a Psych doctoral candidate and Room Redux Founder/CEO, I know the statistics surrounding child abuse and sometimes it can feel like we are stringing beads on a string with no knot. When I start feeling that way, I reflect upon the children whose lives have been transformed through Room Redux Room Transformations. Just like the starfish story… we made a difference in THAT child’s life and therein lies the hope and the optimism to press on.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I am the Founder and CEO of the nonprofit organization, Room Redux. We transform the rooms and LIVES of children who have faced sexual and/or physical abuse. We do this anonymously so the children never see us and we do this in one day. We get our referrals from counselors, psychologists, Child Protective Services, law enforcement, the FBI, and other agencies. We do this so that we know an outcry has been made and the perpetrator is out of the picture. This way, too, we are able to talk to the child’s counselor about what type of therapeutic tools to place in their Room Transformation.

Room Redux has been my main focus for the past five years now and, in fact, is the focus of my doctoral project. Room Redux is special because we change the environment the children live in in order to give them a fresh start free from triggers of the abuse they experienced.

We are based in South Central Texas and have chapters across the US. The intention is to have a Room Redux chapter in every city, every state, every country in order to help change the trajectory of children’s lives all over the world.

We are excited to celebrate our annual “A Night of Whimsy” Gala November 16, 2024 in San Antonio, TX!

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

First, I always say, “I don’t know what I don’t know.” I feel the quality of acknowledging your need for help and growth in certain areas will help you succeed. I try to always surround myself with people who are smarter than I am in different ways. This has helped me navigate the nonprofit world better. Finding a mentor to help you means relinquishing pride and allowing others to impart their advice and experience in order for you and your endeavors to be successful.

Second, with a background in child advocacy and psychology, my knowledge is vast in terms of child abuse statistics, prevention, and advocacy. Working in this space alongside heavy hitters devoted to helping children requires knowledge and experience. I suggest that individuals do a deep dive into whatever their passion is in order to be well educated and stand as an expert in their fields.

Finally, I know that my unflinching determination to transform the lives of children has been a driving force when it comes to the success of Room Redux. I always expect a yes and I never stop talking about or advocating for transforming the lives of children who have faced abuse. I also firmly believe it takes all of us working together to positively effect the lives of children so incorporating #weareroomredux into our branding has been instrumental in gaining community support.

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?

As a nonprofit organization, funding our mission is always a top concern. Without funding we cannot transform the rooms and lives of children who have faced sexual and/or physical abuse. Raising awareness through media outlets such as this and through fundraising events helps us continue our mission. I continually speak on the topic of child abuse because the statistics are staggering: 1 in 10 children will be sexually abused by the age of 18 and 92% of children know their abuser. These children deserve a fresh start. They deserve to know they are loved and cared about by people who don’t even know them and who expect nothing from them.

We continue to overcome the challenges of funding by offering individuals and businesses the opportunity to transform the lives of children through one-time donations, monthly recurring donations, grants, and sponsorship opportunities such as table sponsorships at our annual “Boots and Bubbles” family-friendly event in the spring and our annual “A Night of Whimsy” gala in the fall.

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