Latino community still coping after shooting, loss of Lisa Lopez-Galvan

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - It’s hard to believe it’s been a week since tragedy struck outside Union Station. The traumatic event impacted many, especially the Latino community, after the loss of Lisa Lopez-Galvan.

Family and the Latino community are still finding ways to cope with the loss and pain.

“Lisa’s death has rocked our community to no end,” said Theresa Grado. Theresa Grado owns Lilly’s Cantina in the Westside, a neighborhood Lisa Lopez Galvan was heavily involved with.

“The westside has lost a community leader, her shoes are going to be hard to fill,” said Grado.

Theresa’s connection to Lisa is deeper than a fellow community member, she’s Lisa’s cousin.

“We all watched her grow up from a baby to you know to become something more than probably something she ever thought or imagined, so it’s hard,” she said.

Theresa said it’s been hard for everyone trying to comprehend what happened and why.

“I think it’s minute by minute, second by second, I think all of us are grieving in our own ways but we’re all still devastated, it’s hard for some of us to talk about,” said Grado.

That’s where Mattie Rhodes Center is stepping in for the community, a place where Lisa played an integral role.

“Many of our families in our Latino population, kind of hold that in, we tend to hold onto our feelings,” said Monica Sierra-Mayberry.

Monica Sierra-Mayberry is the Director of Community Behavioral Health Services. She said she knows how deeply impacted the Latino community was by the shooting and is making sure families know there are resources to help cope.

“Some of us are still in shock and in denial of what happened and why this is happening to our community, and it’s okay to feel these things,” she said, “You may feel them all at the same time, and you may feel them in cycles or unexpectedly.”

Since everyone copes with tragedy and pain differently, Monica said just take it day by day.

“If you need a break, if it’s too much, go ahead and take those breaks, go outside, watch a movie, try to find the fun moments in your life.”

She said so far they’ve seen a few families trickle in when they’re ready to talk and want the Latino community their services are free.

“Our staff is aware this is something that is a critical incident a huge travesty in our community and unfortunately we made a statistic that nobody wants to be a part of, and we want to be responsive and sensitive to the needs that are out there,” said Sierra-Mayberry.

Mattie Rhodes wants to remind the community that their counseling is free of charge.

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