This story was originally published in the October issue of Harrison Magazine.
HALLSVILLE – Esmeralda Barron lends her ear to those in need through her nonprofit organization, Orchids of Hope.
Barron understands the importance of being heard. She has overcome abuse, addiction and the shadow of suicide and hopes to help others do the same.
“A nonprofit born from my own pain, now devoted to prevention and healing,” Barron writes in a brochure about Orchids of Hope.
Barron lost her mother to suicide at age 11, and when she turned 15, she started drinking alcohol with friends. At 17, after she was sexually abused, she said she took refuge in alcohol.
“At that time I didn’t have anyone to talk to,” she said. “I felt dirty, like I was the one to blame for everything that was happening to me.”
As she got older, Barron began to heal, and talking about her experiences helped. That helped her understand she wasn’t alone and there were other people like her who needed to be heard.
The team
Orchids of Hope has a team of three. Barron is the president, and at her side is daughter Gema Ramirez as vice president and her close friend Monica Martinez as secretary.
Ramirez joined her mother as a way to help others and to gain experience for a future career.
As a public health major at Texas State University, she said she has learned through her coursework the negative impact that abuse and addiction have on people.
Ramirez recalls talking about sexual abuse cases in her classes and the effects that abuse has on victims, which is why she believes organizations such as Orchids of Hope help break down the stigma surrounding those hard conversations.
“It’s taboo conversations, but it’s one of those hard things that needs to be spoken about,” Ramirez said.
She said the work her mom does speaking and connecting others to seek professional help benefits her as an aspiring professional.
“So when I go to work at hospitals, you see things that a normal person shouldn’t see, so I thought it was important (to get involved). … It’s hard, but it’s real,” Ramirez said.
For Martinez, being involved and supporting Barron is a way of informing English-and Spanish-speaking communities. That’s important to Martinez, as she said she believes that Hispanic families often shy away from talking about mental health because of the stigma surrounding it.
“I think it was time to let (the Hispanic community) know that it’s OK to talk about it, it’s OK to get help, it’s OK to tell someone else,” Martinez said, adding she also became involved with Orchids of Hope “to do something meaningful in my life.”
In action
Since December 2023, the organization has strived to connect people who need mental health services with the right professionals. One of the biggest services Orchids of Hope offers is talking to a therapist at little-to-no cost. Clients can call Barron at (903) 265-8064. All calls are confidential.
“I listen in silence, and when they are done talking, I thank them for their call; I thank them for their life, for being worried about their friend, for their daughter, brother, father or for the family member who they are seeking help for or for themselves,” Barron said.
After that initial call, Barron checks if the client has the means to pay for therapy. If not, the organization helps cover the cost.
“It feels really wonderful when they have finished their therapy and you have been able to maybe help save a life,” Martinez said. “That’s the reason that Orchids of Hope continues.”
This past year, the organization was able to connect 38 clients, children and adults with a mental health professional.
Orchids of Hope has contracts with therapists with sessions funded by donations.
Although funds are limited, Barron said she’s committed to offering services through her organization. The Ring for Hope 5K race is set Dec. 6 in Hallsville to help raise funds and to celebrate Orchids of Hope’s second anniversary.
Barron said the lack of funding has, at times, been hard – but she also thinks about the difference it would have made in her life if she had this type of support.
“The passion for what I have started makes me say we’re going to work, we’re going to give it our all, we’re going to look for resources, we’re going to look ahead and talk with sponsors,” she said.
Representatives from Orchids of Hope also stay active in the community by attending events. The goal is to educate children and parents about creating spaces that welcome effective communication and prioritize mental health.
Orchids of Hope brings a “loteria” game, or bingo, to community events. Barron and her daughter believed adapting the game would be an interactive and fun way to educate people.
The cards in the game include topics such as careers, driving safety, friendship, mental health and more.
“Thanks to a sponsor, Ez-Texano in Longview, we’ve been able to give prizes to the participants,” Barron said.
Orchids of Hope has gone to community events around Harrison County and expanded to other cities across East Texas, such as Longview and Tyler.
“We would love to help more people, but we’re limited on the possibilities that we have (right now), but if we all join together as a community, we could reach more people and perhaps save lives, even if it’s just one at a time,” Martinez said.
Donations can be made by visiting the organization’s website at orchidsofhope.org.
Orchids of Hope is more than an organization for Barron, Ramirez and Martinez – it’s a calling to help others value their lives.
“You’re not alone,” Ramirez said. “I think it’s very important to speak to somebody. Even if you feel like you have no one to speak to, try reaching out to a family member or friend. If they’re not willing to listen, give us a call – we’ll listen.”
Barron said she hopes to continue to make an impact in people’s lives just as they’ve made an impact on her. The stories of the people who have called for help stay with her as a reminder that her work is needed.
“We can stop things with dialogue,” Barron said.