The Team
Who We Are
Becky Cunio
Executive Director
Rebecca Cunio is the Executive Director with For The Silent. For The Silent is an anti-trafficking nonprofit organization located in Tyler, Texas. She previously served as Executive Director and Lead Forensic Interviewer with the Crisis Center and Children’s Advocacy Center of Anderson & Cherokee Counties where she worked for 12 years. Prior to that she was employed with the Children’s Advocacy Center of Smith County and Department of Family and Protective Services. Rebecca has a Master of Science degree from Sam Houston State University in Criminal Justice Leadership and Management nd a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Houston where she majored in Psychology with a minor in Health.
Rebecca has more than 15 years of professional experience working in the field of child protection working as a former CPS Investigator assigned to the Children’s Assessment Center in Houston, forensic interviewer, and nonprofit executive. Rebecca has conducted well more than 3,500 forensic interviews of children and says that interviewing is her greatest passion.
Rebecca has received specialized training in advanced forensic interview techniques throughout the United States. She has worked with multidisciplinary teams of professionals throughout the duration of her career and facilitated case coordination and discussion efforts among local, state and federal law enforcement partners, medical professionals, prosecution teams, victim advocates, and mental health professionals. Rebecca conducts professional and advanced training courses for the community, law enforcement and other professionals on topics related to child abuse, forensic interviews, the commercial sexual exploitation of children, and human trafficking. She has testified in numerous criminal and civil cases. She has been qualified to testify as an expert witness throughout various counties in the State of Texas, and in the States of Arkansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Oregon. Rebecca has been a champion for systems-involved youth and child protection and is honored to continue her service in this field of work.
Gina Darnell
Advocate
Gina graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University and is a licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker. She has worked in mental health care for over twenty-five years and has always remained dedicated to achieving optimal client outcomes. She has worked in both inpatient and outpatient mental health care settings. Adept in working with people of diverse demographics and socioeconomic backgrounds. She has worked answering mental health hotline, completing emergency mental health assessments, providing case management services, doing safety planning, coordinating mental health hospitalizations, advocating for clients, and as continuity of care coordinator. She has experience in working with law enforcement, judges, hospitals, and other community agencies.
Dedicated to providing services to those in need is something Gina is passionate about. While working in mental health she frequently encountered many victims/survivors of crime. It was after moving to Tyler three and half years ago that Gina was looking for employment and saw a job listing for an advocate. She knew right then that this was the type of work she wanted to do. She began working as an advocate and was soon promoted to Director of Victim Services at HandUp Network where she worked for over two and a half years. Gina is passionate about working to end sex trafficking and exploitation. She is grateful to have the opportunity to join For The Silent.
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Melanie Thomas
LPC
“Life can be challenging even in the best of circumstances. Sometimes, we even feel guilty because we feel like we have the things that should make us happy, but we aren't. Other times, things do not go according to plan, such as marriage, parenting, and grief due to loss. Putting on a show or trying to manage alone can be exhausting. Depression and anxiety are real. They can cause hopelessness, worry, and sometimes suicidal ideation. I believe mental health is an essential component of our well-being. My mission is to provide a safe place to meet clients where they can better understand themselves and their next steps.”
Melanie has a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from Stephen F. Austin University. She graduated from The University of Texas at Tyler with a master’s degree in school counseling and continued her education at Stephen F. Austin to become a licensed professional counselor (LPC). She was an elementary school counselor for seven years and worked at Champions for Children for four. During this time, she also received her Perinatal-Mental Health Certification. She is extremely excited about joining For the Silent.
Melanie is committed to working with adolescents and adults to help them become their best selves. Her work targets ineffective behaviors, habits, and personal beliefs with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and other evidence-based practice interventions. She believes building a strong rapport with clients is crucial to success. She considers herself a guide on the side as well as a cheerleader. Through collaboration, goals are set, and progress is made. Having the right tools for change increases empowerment as well as peace of mind. She believes, “Together, we can do this thing called life.”
Cindy Hernandez
Finance Director
I was born and raised in Santa Rosa, CA. I come from an extensive background in Finance. Most recently I worked at Bank of America for 11 years, holding multiple titles and a Vice President title with the lending department. I was a Financial Center Operations Manager and shortly after holding that title, I was promoted to a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch. I continued my advising role until I relocated to Tyler, Texas four years ago to be closer to my family.
I decided to change my career path to something I was passionate about. I wanted to make a powerful and positive impact in others.
I am now the Finance Director and Bilingual Victim Advocate at, For The Silent, an anti-sex trafficking non-profit organization in Tyler, Texas.
I provide direct services to advance the emotional, psychological, or physical needs of youth survivors of commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking. I conduct outreach as well as continually building referral networks of options available for clients and youth. I work closely with law enforcement, community agencies, prosecution, and other professionals.
Currently, I am studying at Tyler Junior College, tentative to graduate in 2025. After graduation I plan on attending UT Tyler to receive my Batchelor’s degree in Pre-Law.
A fun fact about me, I enjoy photography and traveling. I also enjoy networking and meeting new people in my community.
