Karen Gonzalez-Torres on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We recently had the chance to connect with Karen Gonzalez-Torres and have shared our conversation below.

Good morning Karen, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
I’m being called to expand my work beyond my comfort zone—building Nurturing Lives into something bigger than me. I used to be afraid of visibility, but now I know that stepping into that role is how I can create real change for families and communities.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Karen González-Torres, and I am the founder of Helping Hands Resource Center and Nurturing Lives. I wear many hats—as a survivor, educator, advocate, and creator—but at the heart of everything I do is a commitment to healing and transformation.

Helping Hands is a nonprofit that provides trauma-informed, support, resources, and education to survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and trauma. Nurturing Lives is my brand that focuses on trauma-informed compassionate parenting, healing arts, and training programs that empower families and communities.

What makes my work unique is that it’s built from both lived experience and professional training. I’ve walked through the pain of trauma, and I’ve also studied how to break cycles and nurture resilience. That combination allows me to create programs, curricula, and workshops that are both practical and deeply compassionate.

Right now, I’m working on expanding our parenting education programs, healing art workshops, and survivor empowerment initiatives. I believe that every individual has the ability to heal, and my mission is to provide the tools, spaces, and encouragement for healing to flourish.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The part of me that felt fear must now be released. I used to hold back my voice and my vision, but now I know that my calling is to lead boldly and create spaces of healing for others.

When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I stopped hiding my pain when I created Helping Hands Resource Center and Nurturing Lives. What I once carried quietly became the foundation of healing spaces, parenting education, and survivor-centered programs. My pain transformed into the power to lead, teach, and inspire change.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
One project I am deeply committed to—no matter how long it takes—is our annual Purple Event. I started it 12 years ago during one of the hardest times of my life, and it has grown into a powerful community gathering that raises awareness about domestic violence, honors survivors, and brings people together in hope and healing.

The Purple Event isn’t just an annual fundraiser—it’s a living testimony that even in the face of pain, resilience can grow. Every year, I see survivors, families, and community partners come together, and it reminds me why I will never give up on this work. No matter how long it takes, I’m committed to building safe, healing-centered spaces where survivors can find their voice and know they are not alone.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
What I understand deeply—and what many people don’t—is that pain and resilience can exist side by side. Trauma doesn’t just wound us; it can also become the soil where healing, compassion, and strength take root. Most people see trauma only as brokenness, but I see it as a place where transformation is possible. That belief has shaped my legacy through Helping Hands and Nurturing Lives—turning suffering into empowerment, and survival into leadership.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.helpinghandsrc.org/ https://www.nurturingl.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helpinghands_dv/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/helpinghands.DV

Image Credits
KR Photography