Who We Are
Our Staff
PATRICIA S. CASTILLO
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Pronouns: She/Her/Ella
Patricia has 35+ years of working to end violence against women and families. In 1990, she co-founded the P.E.A.C.E. (Putting an End to Abuse through Community Efforts) Initiative, a coalition of dozens of agencies, organizations, and individuals as well as the F.A.C.T. (Family Assistance Crisis Teams) Program based in San Antonio, Texas. Through collaboration and community organizing, she serves as an advocate, educator, and technical assistance resource to civic, legal, medical, religious, activist, educational, human resource and media groups. She’s done casework at the Women’s Shelter and with inmate women and their families at the Bexar County jail. She was the first social worker ever assigned to the police Sex Crimes Unit-Homicide Bureau. She’s a Board Member of the National Latino Alliance for the Elimination of Domestic Violence. Internationally, she has worked with the National Women’s Institute and the National Network of Shelters in Mexico City and el Centro de Justicia Familiar in Monterrey, Mexico. She’s also provided training in Acuña, Cancun, and Oaxaca. She conducted training in Honduras, Brazil, China, Russia and Guatemala. She also worked for the U.S. State Department in 5 major cities in Nicaragua educating about the issue of family violence.
bianca sapet
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Pronouns: She/Her/Ella
Bianca grew up around violence in her community. Violence from the State towards our people, interpersonal violence, child abuse, and pet abuse. From a very early age, she knew that she wanted to help others, so it was a logical step to one day become a DV Educator/Advocate. She graduated from Our Lady of the Lake University in 2004 with a degree in Sociological Practice and Spanish. She is Domestic Violence and Triple P Parenting Certified. She started working for survivors then and haven't looked back. It's an amazing feeling to be able to fulfill her life's mission in such a positive way. P.E.A.C.E. Initiative has recently for the first time offered parenting classes as a way to prevent violence. She is super excited to embark on this journey. She teaches classes and facilitates group discussions at schools, organizations, and individuals throughout San Antonio.
I work for the P.E.A.C.E. Initiative because their mission and philosophy aligns with my own.
I live the mission of the P.E.A.C.E.. Initiative. I believe everyone deserves a peaceful and safe home.
I have 20+ years of working in non-profits with expertise in Victim's Advocacy.
My objectives are to help end domestic violence and abuse in my community.
In Lak'Ech: You are the other me. Mayan Greeting
Our Board of Directors
Board President - Jane Shafer, Co-Founder of P.E.A.C.E. Initiative and F.A.C.T. Program; Retired F.A.C.T. Program Coordinator and Special Victims Unit, San Antonio Police Department
Vice President - Roberto Livar
Treasurer - Mary Jo Rodriguez, PhD, Manager, Organizational Performance, ROARS, Project Director, University Health System
Secretary - Kate Solis
Roberto Livar, Kate Solis, Patricia Castillo, and Matthew Smith at the 2024 Fashion for Life Purple Reign Fashion Show.
Miriam De La Paz
Reverend Anna Gordy
Matthew Smith
Patricia Castillo - Ex officio (non-voting)
Our board members are recruited from the local community based on their interest in what we do and their range of perspectives and skills. If you are interested in knowing more, please email patpeacesa@gmail.com.
Advisory Council
Jessica Hawkins, Trainer, WellMed Medical Management, Inc.
Dr. Yolanda Rodriguez-Escobar, Professor Emeritus, Our Lady of the Lake University
Our Allies
P.E.A.C.E. Initiative partners with diverse grassroots organizations, public and private institutions, and individuals working collaboratively to eradicate family violence through education and mobilization. We have a significant track record over our 35+ year history of advocating for abused women and their children. It’s through our supporters that we are able to achieve these accomplishments.
Education for the prevention of family violence is one of the most effective ways of slowing the rate of people injured or killed by spouses or partners. Through our education and advocacy efforts, we are improving the community response to domestic violence and building a network of skilled, energetic advocates making a difference in the community. A strong coalition gives survivors a united voice when communicating with policy makers and potential funders of innovative domestic violence programming in this community.
see current allied organizations →
VERONICA DAVILA, PRESENTE!!!
Veronica (Vero) Davila worked extensively with the P.E.A.C.E. Initiative since its inception and as a Parent Educator for the Martinez Street Women’s Center. She was a survivor of domestic violence and assisted other women to become free from abuse. She had extensive knowledge of the community because of her work and collaborated with community-based organizations that worked to end family violence. She handled crisis calls and worked in the Bexar County jail to educate detainees about family violence issues, among other critical work. We will remember her always.
