Tabitha"s Wish: Healing for Those Left Behind

Cover Photo from Tabitha’s Wish facebook page.
I recently had the opportunity to talk to Duncan McLindon, father of Tabitha McLindon and founder of Tabitha’s Wish. In April of 2011, 12 year old Tabitha McLindon wanted to help her mother win a contest that was being held by the bank,...
Tabitha"s Wish: Healing for Those Left Behind

Jason Collins: The First Gay Athlete to "Come Out" In Major Sport

Bravery is one of many words that come to mind when describing Jason Collins, an NBA veteran and the first gay athlete to publicly ”come out” while still playing in one of America’s four major sports ( Basketball, Football, Baseball and Hockey) It is the sort of bravery that...
Jason Collins: The First Gay Athlete to "Come Out" In Major Sport

Jason Collins: The First Gay Athlete to "Come Out" In Major Sport

Bravery is one of many words that come to mind when describing Jason Collins, an NBA veteran and the first gay athlete to publically “come out” while still playing in one of America’s four major sports ( Basketball, Football, Baseball and Hockey) It is the sort of bravery that...
Jason Collins: The First Gay Athlete to "Come Out" In Major Sport

Bush Could Face Trial For Torture If He Leaves The U.S.

Former President George W. Bush is learning just how small of a world it is after having to cancel his latest European trip to prevent arrest. Human rights organizations, including the Center for Constitutional Rights, have filed suit against the former U.S. President and may prosecute him for...
Bush Could Face Trial For Torture If He Leaves The U.S.

Interview with Social Worker Daniel Jacob, MSW

Social Work; what goes through your mind when you hear those two words? How do you define who a social worker is? I would like to reiterate what I stated in the other interviews I conducted with Eleanor Silverberg  and Austin Giltus: there is much to be gained when a social worker shares their...
Interview with Social Worker Daniel Jacob, MSW

Want To Experience Homelessness? There Is An App For That

Ending homelessness is a lofty goal for the Kindling Group, a team working towards solutions for critical social issues. Social Workers aspire to provide safe shelter and resources for vulnerable populations. The upcoming @home game may be a way to combine advocacy, awareness, and fundraising...
Want To Experience Homelessness? There Is An App For That

Cyberbullying Legislation in Nova Scotia

It is disheartening to think it takes the death of a teenager for legislation to be created. At the same time, I was very happy to read in Huffington Post Canada that the province of Nova Scotia is implementing cyberbullying legislation. Unfortunately, it is close to 3 weeks after a teenage girl...
Cyberbullying Legislation in Nova Scotia

Sex Education Taboo Even In Social Work

Yesterday I was reading a book I had been working on for over a year, “Sex without Guilt in the 21st Century”. When I placed it down for a minute to take a bite to eat, I glanced down at the book and was startled to realize that the author was none other than Dr. Albert Ellis,...
Sex Education Taboo Even In Social Work

New York City Proposes Raising Smoking Age to 21

In a new Public Health Proposal, Mayor Bloomberg proposed to raise the age at which individuals can purchase cigarettes in the New York City to 21 years old, up from 18. According to the NY Daily News:
Officials cite data showing that 80% of smokers in the city started before age 21 — and a...
New York City Proposes Raising Smoking Age to 21

A Political Decision Swayed by Words: The Nevada Equal Marriage Amendment

It’s hard sometimes to believe that our words have meanings, especially in politics when so many decisions are made based on where the money rests. On Monday, one member of Nevada’s Senate proved just how important our words and lives are to the political decision making process....
A Political Decision Swayed by Words: The Nevada Equal Marriage Amendment

Track Star Turned Savior

Cameron Lyle, is a shot putter for the University of New Hampshire track team. Two years ago Lyle decided to participate in a campus bone marrow registry drive.  With a 1 in 5,000,000 chance of a match the possibility that someone who is a match and would need a transplant was small so Lyle...
Track Star Turned Savior

Aging in Place: The "In" Market

“Aging in Place” is a phrase that I come across on a regular basis and appears to be the ‘in’ phrase right now for the 55+ segment of the population. What does it mean to you? How would you define it? According to Wikipedia, it is: “The ability to live in one’s own home and...
Aging in Place: The "In" Market

Oregon House of Representatives Passes National Popular Vote Bill

Oregon just might be the next state to join the National Popular Vote Bill Movement. For those not familiar, the Bill would
 ”guarantee the Presidency to the candidate who receives the most popular votes in the entire United States. The bill preserves the Electoral College, while...
Oregon House of Representatives Passes National Popular Vote Bill

Why You Need To Know About CISPA: And What You Can Do About It

The Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act, or CISPA, was first put forward in 2011 as a response to the increasing dangers of cyber-warfare. It defines something called “cyber threat intelligence” (CTI), which is essentially information about networks, either government or...
Why You Need To Know About CISPA: And What You Can Do About It

Is Facebook Inadvertently Helping Abusers Harass Victims?

Domestic violence and abuse is something that is damaging to an individual on numerous levels.  Often I hear survivors and victims say that the psychological component of the abuse they suffered far exceeded the physical wounds, but this remains the part of abuse that is so often over...
Is Facebook Inadvertently Helping Abusers Harass Victims?

Reverse Serendipity

Check out this fantastic short film explaining one reason why people do good deeds: Reverse Serendipity This short film was nominated for Best Drama and Matt Sadofsky won Best Actor on the Campus Movie Fest. It is a reminder that although we often think we know how the moments of our lives fit...
Reverse Serendipity

Brightness in the Darkest Hours

Are you curious why this officer in tactical gear is holding two gallons of milk?
No he did not make a donut run during a police standoff.
As we all know a lockdown was issued in Watertown, MA following the bombing, car chase, and shootout with police.  To ensure the safety of those in the...
Brightness in the Darkest Hours

250,000 March For Affordable Education In Chile

On April 11th, 250,000 Chilean students came out to protest the tremendous cost of higher education that is burdening common citizens. Protests have been going on for over 2 years, yet the situation remains largely the same; higher education has been privatized and costs have skyrocketed,...
250,000 March For Affordable Education In Chile

Courage & Fear

Strength comes from within,
It recognizes fear,
To ignite courage,
So a course of action may be taken,
A person just has to embrace inner strength.

Courage & Fear

Hostages Taken In Afghanistan

There have been reports of a hostage situation in Afghanistan. Approximately ten individuals; Turkish, Russian and possibly one Afghan national, have been taken after a helicopter was forced to land during poor weather. Taliban groups have taken responsibility for the action. Multiple government...
Hostages Taken In Afghanistan

Gun Control Bill Correctly Predicted To Fail Back In February

If there were wagering on the passage of legislation, many people would be profiting from the defeat of the proposed gun control bill. Why? Back in February the Sunlight Foundation not only predicted a bill wouldn’t pass, they also predicted which Democrats would oppose the bill. How is...
Gun Control Bill Correctly Predicted To Fail Back In February

Remember

Yes, you can!
Ignore the put-downs,
Quiet the negative thoughts.
You, alone, carve your path.
Rough road will happen,
Welcome challenges with open arms,
Remember,
You, alone, carve your path.
Let the sunshine warm your face,
While shadows fall behind,
Remember,
Yes, you can!
Written by Staff...
Remember

Mindfulness

My heart knows no bounds,
Uncertainty won’t cloud my day,
Right now, the present captivates my eyes,
Pondering the unknown has no hold,
Right now, the present is home.



Written by Staff Writer: A. Haven, LMSW





Mindfulness

Comfort for Boston: Comfort Dogs hit the Streets

A set of dogs, trained as comfort dogs, have hit the streets of Boston in the wake of the Marathon Bombings. Comfort dogs are not a new idea:
Debbie Custance, a London psychologist who’s studied the empathy of dogs, explained to National Geographic that during times of crisis,...
Comfort for Boston: Comfort Dogs hit the Streets

All You Need Is #Love

Tough times need more #Love so spread some.
Leave your comments below.

All You Need Is #Love

Congressional Research Institute For Social Work and Policy"s Inaugural Dinner A Smashing Success

There are watershed moments in life, occasionally you know them when they are happening, or you hope you do at any rate. That is the feeling that was in the room at the Congressional Research Institute For Social Work and Policy‘s inaugural dinner, held last night at The Monocle in...
Congressional Research Institute For Social Work and Policy"s Inaugural Dinner A Smashing Success

Perception

Beauty defined
By the holder,
Subjective,
Free from restraint,
Not always understandable,
Beauty defined
By me.
 
Written by Staff Writer: A. Haven, LMSW

Perception

20,000 Sing National Anthem: A Reminder that Solidarity Is The Solution To Fear

I was reminded of this an article SJS write in the wake of Newtown on violence and fear as I heard the recording of the National Anthem at last night’s Bruins game.
<iframe width=”560″ height=”315″ src=”http://www.youtube.com/embed/lbHMRpdk3_4″...
20,000 Sing National Anthem: A Reminder that Solidarity Is The Solution To Fear

Assisted Suicide

An article in the Winnipeg Free Press states that Susan Griffiths, age 72 is heading to Switzerland and the Dignitas Clinic where she will end her life on her own terms in the next few weeks. She has Multiple System Atrophy, an incurable disease with Parkinson’s like symptoms; loss of...
Assisted Suicide

US Immigration Reform 2013

Bloomberg reports:
A bipartisan Senate group today released its plan for the most comprehensive rewrite of U.S. immigration law in almost three decades. It would allow [upwards of 11 million] undocumented immigrants who pay at least $2,000 in fines and meet other criteria to become permanent...
US Immigration Reform 2013

Thoughts, Prayers and Love To Boston Marathon Victims

Thoughts, Prayers and Love To Boston Marathon Victims

"Clever Girl"- Lessons From Jurassic Park

Jurassic Park is timeless and one of my favorite movies. Watching it today, 20 years after the original air date, I am comfortable saying it comes across as believable as it did in the 90’s… besides the fashion of course. I was able to take advantage of the modern IMAX 3D screening at my...
"Clever Girl"- Lessons From Jurassic Park

Handbags and Briefcases: Women in the Workplace in Fiction and Reality

Like most men my age, I am a huge fan of the shows “Entourage” and “Mad Men.” And like most men my age, I have a job I wish was as awesome as either of these shows. Two of my favorite characters of all time are Ari Gold and Don Draper. Both are exceedingly strong, charismatic, dominant,...
Handbags and Briefcases: Women in the Workplace in Fiction and Reality

Drug Reps Not Share Side Effects?

A post in the Winnipeg Free Press from April 10th discusses ‘Drug Company Reps Don’t Tell Docs Enough About Side Effects’ and then further states many U.S., Canadian and French physicians prescribe the medications anyway. Does this strike you as typical of the current...
Drug Reps Not Share Side Effects?

Hold On

Matt recently spoke about his experience in “Falling in Love with Social Work”. In it he describes feeling more complete, like someone who has found the puzzle they belong to. It was inspiring hearing so many who felt the same join in with him. Many refer to it as a calling. I never had...
Hold On

Another Teen Suicide: The Effects of Rape and Bullying

One has to wonder how continued violence against females; girls and women is acceptable. The more I read on the death of Canadian teenager Rehtaeh Parsons, the more upset I become at the social justice implications.
According to the Harold News , in November of 2011 her mother reports that,...
Another Teen Suicide: The Effects of Rape and Bullying

France Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage

France says “Oui” to legalize same-sex marriage which should become law this upcoming summer. The bill will not only legalize same-sex marriage, it will allow same-sex couples to adopt children, a practice that is still difficult at best for many. This bill wasn’t without opposition by...
France Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage

Social Work and Technology Past, Present and Future

Past, Present, and Future of Social Work and Technology by Ellen Belluomini LCSW

How has technology evolved in social work practice? Where will it go? What does it mean to integrate technology into social work? A chart like this was used for on an education website. I thought it appropriate to...
Social Work and Technology Past, Present and Future

The Era of the Nanny Employeer

We were once worried about the Nanny State getting their hands on our restaurant and fast food purchases  preventing us from buying our big gulp sodas, but is seems the Nanny’s now have their hands somewhere else: Our Employers. A recent Think Progress highlights this phenomenon in...
The Era of the Nanny Employeer

Sexual Harassment: It"s not just a "Jock" Thing

It’s spring. The skin is out and likely we’ll start hearing those bad old street harassment comments: “Nice legs baby.”… etc. It’s a big old reminder of how crass and disrespectful we are to one another, and how unaware of that fact we are. But there seems to...
Sexual Harassment: It"s not just a "Jock" Thing

Race For Homeless and At-Risk Veterans: Long Island, NY

Debra Beattie writes:
Suffolk County United Veterans, a non-profit organization that helps homeless and at-risk returning Veterans, is proud to be the recipient of the combined efforts of a number of community groups and volunteers who are hosting the 3rd Annual “Riverfront 24” Endurance...
Race For Homeless and At-Risk Veterans: Long Island, NY

Today is the First National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day

Today marks the first ever National Youth HIV and AIDS Awareness Day (NYHAAD) in the United States, a day founded by Advocates for Youth’s Amplify Project in an effort to:
“to educate the public about the impact of HIV and AIDS on young people as well as highlight the amazing work...
Today is the First National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day

Better Living Through Pharmaceuticals

Big Pharm has had a good year. Not that you can measure happiness on a scale from 1-10, but if you could, Big Pharm would say they are 84 billion…dollars that is. That’s the profit that the drug companies tallied for last year, but Americans know that, they can feel the hit in their wallets....
Better Living Through Pharmaceuticals

Falling In Love With Social Work

There is a sense of hopelessness in the world; this understanding that the problems are too large and the people too small. Everyone seems to “know” that there will always be corruption, greed, and hatred. Everyone except one somewhat obscure group of people who go about their...
Falling In Love With Social Work

Margret "The Iron Lady" Thatcher

On Monday April 8, 2013 former British Prime Minister, the Baroness Margret (Roberts) Thatcher, 87, passed away after suffering a stroke.
Margaret Hilda Roberts was born Oct. 13, 1925, in Grantham, England to Beatrice and Alfred Roberts, a strict Methodist and pillar of the local community. ...
Margret "The Iron Lady" Thatcher

Banks To Pay For Improper Forclosure On Military Homes

Over three hundred Military service members who had their homes foreclosed while active, will be receiving a settlement from Bank Of America. This settlement will give the 316 military families at least “$116,785 plus compensation with interest” for the improper foreclosures. The Civil...
Banks To Pay For Improper Forclosure On Military Homes

The Effect of Incarceration Policy On The Fiscal Crisis In Suffolk County, NY

Debra Beattie Writers:
“Suffolk County, NY projects that it will be 530 million over budget over the next three years.  Executive Steve Bellone has declared a fiscal emergency and has cut every department’s funding by ten percent.  While the new 185 million dollar jail in Yaphank...
The Effect of Incarceration Policy On The Fiscal Crisis In Suffolk County, NY

Sign The Student Loan Fairness Petition

SJS is trying to obtain 5000 signatures to present to Representative Karen Bass in the hope that the public support will urge Congress to pass the Student Loan Fairness Act that currently sits before Education & Workforce Committee. The legislation would do the following as per...
Sign The Student Loan Fairness Petition

Interview with Social Worker Austin Giltus, MSW, LCSW

March was NASW’s Social Work month and SJS participated by promoting the profession of social work in many ways from written interviews of social workers, stories of advocacy, and issues of social justice. In reality, the promotion of the profession should be year round and not just one...
Interview with Social Worker Austin Giltus, MSW, LCSW

World Health Day 2013

Today, April 7th is World Health Day. The 7th of April is the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948. Every year a health theme is chosen which represents a global public health concern that affects the entire world. This year it is hypertension (high blood...
World Health Day 2013

Could You Live on $1.75 a Day?

The Huffington Post: Canada published an article, “Could You Live in Canada on $1.75 a Day?“. The title speaks for itself in that it is hard to imagine anyone living on $1.75 a day, yet this is the reality for many in the world. The author of this article ,Erin Deviney, lived in...
Could You Live on $1.75 a Day?

Spring Cleaning for the Soul

With it being spring time, we begin to think about tasks around the home we have put off all winter: cleaning out the garage, washing the windows and the like. What we don’t commonly think about is taking time to clean the clutter we have accumulated within ourselves over the previous...
Spring Cleaning for the Soul

Civil Rights Defenders Creates "Smart" Bracelet to Protect Aid Workers

Oh the wonders of technology. Recently there has been so much news about the negative side of technology; how it can be used to incriminate, steal, or fight battles that were once more difficult to fight. Now, thanks to the Civil Rights Defenders we are reminded once again of the benefits that...
Civil Rights Defenders Creates "Smart" Bracelet to Protect Aid Workers

Congressional Institute for Social Work and Policy Launches Website

The Congressional Institute for Social Work and Policy(CRISP) is a new organization that aims to draw the social work profession more intimately into the legislative process in Washington. CRISP has recently launched a website that provides a detailed description of who they are and what they...
Congressional Institute for Social Work and Policy Launches Website

Female Mortality Rates on the Rise in USA

The Washington Post just published an article titled “This Map of America’s Female Mortality Rates is Pretty Terrifying” and, unfortunately, the title just about sums up the graphics all too perfectly. The map, depicting whether female mortality rates are on the rise or...
Female Mortality Rates on the Rise in USA

The Student Loan Fairness Act

Student loan debt in America has surpassed 1 trillion dollars and is only superseded by mortgage debt. In other words, the common citizen will come to find that before they try to raise a family, own a home, and start a career they will already have a significant albatross to over come. In...
The Student Loan Fairness Act

I Have A Dream…

45 years ago today the world lost a leader in Human Rights. Martin Luther King Jr. was shot and killed in Memphis at the age of 39. Mr. King remains as one of the best examples of a civil rights activist and a tribute to non-violent protest.<!–more–> His legacy is the progress...
I Have A Dream…

Author Commentary: "Sexual Assault Awareness Week"

The poem “Sexual Assault Awareness Week” was posted earlier this week on SJS. We’ve heard what many of you thought of the poem, but let’s hear what the Author, Monica Wendel has to say about her piece: <!–more–>
‘We are who we are because we...
Author Commentary: "Sexual Assault Awareness Week"

NYS Corruption Proves America Needs Social Workers In Politics

NYS Senator Malcolm Smith wanted to be Mayor of New York City. It is an honorable title, and a much sought after position as the head one of the most powerful cities on the planet. So much so that Mr. Smith decided that he should bribe his way onto the Republican mayoral ballot. Ironically, Mr....
NYS Corruption Proves America Needs Social Workers In Politics

Where Does Your Personal Information Go? California Wants To Tell You

Ever wonder who is analyzing your personal data? Why you may get targeted by companies you’ve never heard of? California is working to pass a bill that would allow consumers to request copies of the personal data that is stored by a company, and a list of where that information goes. They are...
Where Does Your Personal Information Go? California Wants To Tell You

Social Media Advocacy-Legalizing Same Sex Marriage

Social Work, in this day and age, has a strong relationship to technology. It can be used at every aspect of practice yet is often under discussed in our field. The below, originally posted on Bridging the Digital Divide in Social Work Practice, by author Ellen Belluomini, is a prime example...
Social Media Advocacy-Legalizing Same Sex Marriage

Alzheimer"s "Checkbook": A Creative Solution

When a loved one develops Alzheimer’s, the diagnosis can be devastating for both the one afflicted and the family. The progression of the disease is different for each individual, and the tasks one is able to manage or take part in is different from person to person as is the reaction and...
Alzheimer"s "Checkbook": A Creative Solution

Could Repealing DOMA Improve the Economy?

Thought we were over the equal marriage topic now that we need to wait until June to see what the supreme court decided? NOPE! Think Progress has an interesting article which they recently published on how getting rid of the Defense of Marriage Act could actually boost the...
Could Repealing DOMA Improve the Economy?

A Victory For Social Work: NASW-NYS Update On Social Work License Exemption

NASW-NYS has won a hard-fought victory in the NYS Senate in regard to social work license exemption legislation. Scroll down for the official NASW-NYS announcement.
Highlights:

3 Year extension of the license exemption.
Mandate that each impacted agency participate in a workforce analysis...
A Victory For Social Work: NASW-NYS Update On Social Work License Exemption

Happy World Autism Awareness Day!

Today, April 2nd, marks the 6th annual World Autism Awareness Day, and the official start of Autism Awareness Month. Here is a little back history on WAAD:
On December 18, 2007, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 62/139, tabled by the State of Qatar, which declares April 2...
Happy World Autism Awareness Day!

Introducing the Congressional Research Institute for Social Work and Policy (CRISP)

SJS is excited to announce the start of what is sure to be a great resource (and powerful force) for social workers in the United States, the Congressional Research Institute for Social Work and Policy or CRISP. Below is the official Press Release regarding the launch of the...
Introducing the Congressional Research Institute for Social Work and Policy (CRISP)

Student Loans Getting A Degree In Defaulting

As more people defaulted with their students loans in the first three months of 2013, many are wondering when this bubble will pop. The student loan crisis can be compared to the mortgage and housing crisis just a few years ago. What we learned then was how damaging the aftershocks of this...
Student Loans Getting A Degree In Defaulting

A Poem: Sexual Assault Awareness Week

Sexual Assault Awareness Week
A Poem by Monica Wendel
It’s our job to carry an umbrella to avoid getting wet
but it’s not our job to avoid nighttime, dark streets, and bars
to avoid getting raped. My mother disagrees. An act of man
versus an act of God: what difference does it make, she...
A Poem: Sexual Assault Awareness Week