Ms. Dolores Cinquemani is the author of the widely acclaimed book “A Familiar Stranger”. She describes this as “a book dedicated to those searching for the truth surrounding their birth. Ms. Cinquemani talks about her motivation for writing the book. In the book she describes the heartache of searching for the truth, of searching for her mother. In the interview she talks about growing up in foster care but always knowing that she had a bit mother, out there somewhere. Ms. Cinquemani previously published 3 books of poetry: **  Unlaced (2013), **  Timepiece (2015), **  The Inner Eye (2019) She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Stony Brook University, and a Masters of Science from Adelphi University. She is a retired special education teacher from Lindenhurst School District, and currently lives on Long Island.

The “Kelsunn-on-the-Air” (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC55g-wYQ_XYPorZQurh-dEw) Social Work Podcast invites you to listen and watch this intriguing interview with recent Adelphi University “School of Social Work” graduate, Ms. Sarah Delannoy, MSW.  Ms. Delannoy is currently serving as a “United Nations (https://www.un.org/en/) Youth Representative”.  According to an Adelphi (https://www.adelphi.edu/news/adelphis-un-youth-representative-social-work-graduate-student-and-citizen-of-the-world/) press release, “Sarah Delannoy has taken her concerns to the global stage as she works with other youth representatives from around the world to address issues of importance to the upcoming generation”. Sarah has been selected to represent the Adelphi University as a United Nations youth delegate. She has joined over 550 young people from 100 countries across the globe who are benefiting from the program.  Participation in this program gives the Youth Delegates a voice on the thematic issues of concern to today’s youth. As you will hear and see during the podcast, Ms. Delannoy has significant experience working with youth and assisting them in pursuing and achieving their goals.  Sarah also talks about how her Christian faith plays a big role in how she approaches her tasks of helping others.  She talks about how she has found many similarities between Social Work and Faith-Based principles of uplifting others. Delannoy states, “I’m really passionate about youth engagement and working with adolescents”. She says she believes the primary issue that needs to be addressed around the globe among youth is mental health. Sarah says “The pandemic was hard on young people all around the world”. She hopes her UN experience will help her address the barriers to mental health care from a global perspective, according to the Adelphi article she was quoted in. According to Delannoy, “there are different stigmas against mental health care in cultures around the world, and we need to figure what the barriers are and how to address them.” #socialwork #adelphi #msw #nasw #naswnys #naswnyc unitednations #unyouthdelagate #mentalhealth #faith-based #christian #help #addressingstigma #kelsunnontheair #kelsunn #ejournalism #podcast #media

The Ditchdigger’s Daughters is the story of Donald Thornton, a laborer, and his wife Tass, a domestic, who managed to shepherd their six daughters into careers of professional status.  Consider the results of their efforts: Two physicians, an attorney, a court stenographer, a dentist and a registered nurse. Written by middle daughter Yvonne S. Thornton, M. D., The Ditchdigger’s Daughters is far more than a goody goody story. Although music, self sacrifice and upward mobility all figure prominently in this memoir it also merits readers’ attention for its effective recreation of the characters, its important messages, its genuineness, its overall excellence, and its inspiration. The book contains plot turns that everyone can identify with.  Parts of the story even read like a thriller.  When the two oldest daughters’ defect from the family because of Donald’s stringency, they start a chain of reactions that threaten the viability of this heretofore loving and stable unit.  Donald becomes verbally and emotionally abusive to Tass.  As a result Tass experiences a depression that necessitates clinical treatment.  The remaining daughters were filled with fear and confusion at these events.  The Thornton family found themselves facing a crisis of epic proportions: would this black family survive?  The answer is not as neatly packaged as a sitcom, and reflects the messy fits and starts of real people living real lives. Yvonne was the first to fulfil her father’s dream of becoming a physician.  Her recounting of her climb to become a respected and successful Obstetrician-Gynecologist is an endearing portrait of a physician as a young woman.  As a black female doctor she suffered many rude comments and one remark, made by a white male colleague who said, "I assume you know what you’re doing", was particularly distressing. "I arrived back home crying and raging’. If I’d been a man, he wouldn’t have talked to me like that.  If I’d been white, he wouldn’t have questioned my ability to do what was right." Since the book’s publication in 1995 it has received much acclaim as a Literary Guild Selection and a Pulitzer Prize nominated book.  A for television movie was made with Carl Lumbly portraying Donald Thornton. Listen carefully to this ditchdigger’s daughter.  Dr. Yvonne S.Thornton is a woman who has walked this walk and knows of which she speaks.

#Electionday Day is Tuesday, November 8, 2022!! Make sure to exercise your franchise, and claim your #right to #Vote ... Because #V.ictory #O.ften #T.akes #E.veryone!!!

Skeery Jones, Executive Producer of the "Elvis Duran in the Morning" show on NY Radio Station, Z-100 is asking for your vote!!!  He say's follow these steps to help vote Silas, Your E-Journalism Social Work Advocate to victory in the Annual Bethpage Federal Credit Union "Best of Long Island" Competition:   Steps to Vote: Step #1: Click this Link: https://www.bestoflongisland.com/voting/#/gallery?group=436121, This will take you to the “Arts & Entertainment” Category  Step #2: Scroll down to the “Podcast Section” Click that Link  Step #3: Scroll down to Locate the “Kelsunn-on-the-Air” Social Work Podcast, Click on that Name, Cast your “Vote”!!   Voting opened Saturday, October 1, 2022 and is ongoing until December 15, 2022.  You can vote once per day, everyday until the close out date of 12/15/22.  Skeery Says, Let's vote make sure Silas is the winner!!!   Thank you all!!!

Kelsunn Communications is proud to bring you this re-cap of this Juneteenth 2022 Celebration put on jointly by the Nassau/Suffolk Association of Black Social Workers (NSABSW) & The MLK Community Center of Long Beach, NY.  This celebration was held at the center on Saturday, June 18, 2022. This podcast focused on community youth.  We produced this in the form of a Vox Populi (More widely known as a "Vox Pop" - Meaning "Voice of the People"").  We posed the question of "How Do You Boost Your Self-Esteem"?  Through this podcast we share their responses.

This is  the audio track of photo montage video (***Click here to access the YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/xR6DFElpQf0 ) saluting all that Social Workers do ... Year-Round, All the time!!  This montage also includes a recitation of the moving essay, "What Social Workers Make". The essay states many of the different ways that Social Workers Positively impact society in general and people, families, communities, and systems in particular.     Near the end of the tribute everyone is reminded that it is imperative to "Raise-the-Wage" of Social Workers so that they are paid commensurate  to the enormous impact they have on the lives of those they serve.  There is a subtle reminder that we love helping others but at the same time we want to be compensated more equitably.    Thank you all for your self-less dedication!!!    Happy Social Work Month to all Social Workers World-Wide!!! (www.kelsunn.org)

Dr. Tracy Whitaker is an associate professor and the associate dean for academic and student advancement at the Howard University School of Social Work.   In this role, she provides leadership for and coordination of the curriculum offered by the School of Social Work, including strategic planning, resource allocation, implementation, evaluation, reaccreditation and continuous improvement.

*** Full Version Originally Launched on 8/19/21 On Saturday, June 19, 2021, The "Kelsunn-on-the-Air" Social Work Podcast, Award-Winning Flagship offering of “Kelsunn Communications” (www.kelsunn.org) went on location to record this podcast live.  This podcast recording marked the commemoration of the first-ever Federally Designated & Recognized "Juneteenth Holiday". This took place at the 3D's Aftercare, Inc. Community Center in Baldwin. This community celebration was the culmination of many months of planning . It was collaboratively sponsored by The Nassau/Suffolk Association of Black Social Workers (https://m.facebook.com/nassausuffolkabsw/) and the 3D's Aftercare, Inc. (https://www.3dsaftercareinc.org/) Community Center in Baldwin. Throughout the course of the day there were a myriad of cultural activities and workshops. We asked organizers and participants to stop by and share their thoughts and reflections on the historic occasion. We were delighted to hear and record some of the comments attendees and members shared. A couple of youth also stopped by to give their opinions on the historic day. This is a collection of the comments and contributions set to an African-themed, originally created music bed. Tune in to listen wherever you get your podcasts. Please remember to download, like, and share.

Hello Everyone: Well everyone, there's only 5 weeks left for the competition. Here is Z-100's Executive Producer of the "Elvis Duran in the Morning" Show, Skeery Jones, urging you all to vote .... for my podcast!! Once again, I am honored to be competing in the annual Bethpage Federal Credit Union’s 2022 “Best of Long Island” contest in the “Best Podcast” Category. My podcast is competing against 16 other podcasts. I would like to thank you all for your votes and your continued support – just keep on voting!!! I am truly proud to say that the Award-Winning, "Kelsunn-on-the-Air" Social Work Podcast (https://anchor.fm/kelsunn-on-the-air) is only Social Work podcast in the competition!!! Follow these Steps to Vote: Step #1: Click this Link: https://www.bestoflongisland.com/voting/#/gallery?group=399336 This will take you to the “Arts & Entertainment” Category Step #2: Scroll down to the “Podcast Section” Click that Link Step #3: Scroll down to Locate the “Kelsunn-on-the-Air” Social Work Podcast Click on that Name, Cast your “Vote”!! Voting runs until December 15, 2021 and just a friendly reminder that you can vote once per day, every day!!! So please do!! Thank you all ever so kindly for your vote and your support!!! Gratefully, Silas, Your "E-Journalism Social Work Advocate " Host and producer of the “Kelsunn-on-the-Air” Social Work Podcast A Kelsunn Communications, Inc. Production (www.kelsunn.org) ****Click this link to see and hear the YouTube Post!!! https://youtu.be/EB5gG7vtN40 

Hear Silas W. Kelly, LMSW doing the voice-over to this Promo to promote a workshop. This was for a Workshop held in April of 2018 to address how to re-integrate the formerly incarcerated back into society.  This worshop was co-sponsered by the National Association of Social Workers NY State Chapter( NASW-NYS) and Nassau Community College's Human Services Academic Department.  The script was written by Silas and the    Production was done by Shawn Novatt, Program Director of WHPC !!! Thank you Shawn!!!

***This Segment is currently Ranked #1 on the Owltail.com Podcast Hosting site in Melbourne, Austrailia. It has been Ranked at #1 since August of 2019 in the Social Sciences Category: https://www.owltail.com/podcast/RHVmv-E-Journalism-Social-Work-Advocate/best-episodes Long Island News Radio 103.9 FM Radio Jobline Inteview W/Scott Passeser: Producer/Host National Association of Social Workers official Silas W. Kelly, LMSW used a wide-ranging interview with Long Island News Radio to talk about the rewards and challenges of the social work profession in 2017. This segment was later awarded the NASW Media Award  for "Radio". http://www.socialworkersspeak.org/hollywood-connection/and-the-2017-nasw-media-award-winners-are.html

This is an edited version of the complete broadcast aired on October 5, 2020, just prior to election day last November 3, 2020.

Dr. Lakeya Cherry, DSW, MSSW is the Chief Executive Officer of The Network for Social Work Management, an international membership organization dedicated to strengthening leadership in health and human services. Under her leadership, the Network has grown globally and introduced new, innovative programming that meets the needs of social work and human services leaders everywhere. At her previous position with 2U, Inc., a technology company partnering with prestigious universities to place degree programs online, she was a Senior Regional Field Manager for the University of Southern California School of Social Work’s online Master of Social Work program. Dr. Cherry was in charge of spearheading national partnerships and managing field education agency development initiatives. She has also held a variety of direct service positions in the nonprofit sector and volunteers during her free time. Dr. Cherry currently serves on the board for the Congressional Research Institute for Social Work and Policy (CRISP). She earned her Master of Science in Social Work from Columbia University and her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Legal Studies from the University of California at Santa Cruz. Dr. Cherry earned her Doctorate in Social Work from the USC .Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. Her capstone project, “Changemakers of Color: A Model for Racial Equity in the Nonprofit Sector” focuses on addressing the racial leadership gap in the nonprofit sector. Dr. Cherry holds a Certificate in Nonprofit Executive Leadership from the National Human Services Assembly in collaboration with The Fund-Raising School at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University, the Executive Education Program at the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University, and ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation. She is also a StartingBloc Fellow, #IamRemarkable Facilitator, and Certified Dare to Lead Facilitator.

Kelsunn Communications Founder and CEO, Silas W. Kelly, LMSW was a guest on the “Anat Ben Salmon Live” Show on which was “Streamed Live” directly from “Israel” on Sunday, November 22, 2020. Listen or view (Click here to view: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnVRcpPJ-5A&feature=youtu.be)the show in its entirety right here. Silas, your "E-Journalism Social Work Advocate" is host of The "Kelsunn-on-the-Air" Social Work Podcast heard right here on Anchor, was interviewed by veteran show host and highly experienced psychotherapist, Mrs. Anat Ben Salmon. They discussed the vital roles Social Workers play here in the U.S. and in Israel!!Make sure to experience this exciting Israel to NY connection!! Many thanks to Ms. Salmon for this wonderful opportunity!!

Ed Paley has been a Professional Social Worker for 50 years. He received his MSW from Hunter College School of Social Work in 1979. He specializes in Grief, Loss, and Bereavement. He has a private clinical practice in East Meadow, Long island where he provides therapy to children, teens, adults, families, and groups. In 2014, Ed was asked to serve on the Advisory Board of the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island. Ed is a member of the steering committee of the Long Island Chapter of the International Association of Social Work with Groups. In 1985, Ed obtained a job at North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center where he worked until 1996. While there, he became the coordinator for social work interns and he implemented and coordinated a Family Bereavement Program. Ed also co-facilitated the first group on Long Island for people who lost a loved one to suicide. After the terrible tragedy of September 11th, 2001 , he was asked to train Social Workers on helping  children and adults to cope with the aftermath of this tragedy. Ed supervised social work interns from 1982-2010. He has given workshops on bereavement throughout the United States. He was named NASW Nassau Division, Social Worker of the year in 2016.

This is a Tribute to 3 Voting Rights Giants: The Late Ruth Bader Ginsburg, The Late John Lewis, and The Late Elijah Cummings.  Listen, Be Inspired & GOTV!!!  Get Out The Vote!!! That is the best way to honor their memory!!!

Our special Guest for today’s show is Dr. Aisha Mitchell Washington, LCSW. She Is currently a Clinical Director at Behavioral Health Connections - Atlanta, a Universal Health Services, Inc. entity. She graduated from the University of Southern California with a Doctorate of Social Work. She published her dissertation about teen athletes and opioid addiction on ProQuest. She specializes in working with youth, families, and children. She is also well versed in behavioral health; forensics; medical social work; and domestic violence issues.  Aisha also has a Master’s of Science in Human Resource Management from Troy University. She obtained this degree to support organizations and top-notch employees. Dr. Washington strongly believes that the power of any organization is in the strategic planning, recruitment, motivation, and guidance of employees.    She is described as a pragmatic, innovative social strategist. Dr Washington is  experienced in providing transformational leadership. She is well-versed in using data analytics and trends to support business initiatives and increase patient intake and census, as well as promoting patient care and safety. Prior to that, Dr. Washington served as Social Services Chief at the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.  

Ms. Miriam Payne was highlighted in Adelphi University President, Christine Riordan’s May 2020 Newsletter. President Riordan recognized Miriam as one of the School’s dedicated Social Work Student Interns. She was commended for playing a prominent role as a frontline hospital worker at the beginning of the Corona Virus Pandemic. Miriam Payne is a graduate of Lehman College, Bronx, N.Y with a B.S. in Health Education and Promotion. Ms. Payne is currently employed at New York Presbyterian Hospital (NYPH), the #1 hospital in the state of New York, as a Unit Assistant. In her role, she is the bridge of communication between the interdisciplinary team across numerous departments within the hospital, multitasking to ensure that all patients are put first. In the Neurology department where she works, Ms. Payne interacts with patients and family members from diverse ethnic backgrounds, socioeconomic status, and cultures. When Ms. Payne is not working, she attends graduate school at Adelphi University where she is pursuing a master’s degree in Social Work. After graduation, Ms. Payne desires to transition to a new role as a Medical Social Worker, where her communication skills from New York Presbyterian Hospital and her social work education from Adelphi University will be combine and utilized to ensure that patients and their family members receives optimum care throughout the discharge planning process at NYPH; the very hospital where she has been employed for over 10 years.

Chantel Jackson, LMSW Chantel Jackson is a licensed social worker, author, college professor and the Democratic Nominee for the 79th Assembly District in the South Bronx. Chantel believes that her W.H.E.N. (Wellness, Housing, Education, Now!) mission, will genuinely and totally transform her district into an even more healthy and wealthy community." She is a dedicated member of her community. Ms. Jackson is a proud member of the United Federation of Teachers, A NYC Public High School Social Worker, a College Professor, publisher author, and an Adelphi University School of Social Work graduate. Jessica J. Mitchell, LMSW Ms. Jessica J. Mitchell is Social Worker, who is also an experienced political and campaign strategist who has worked throughout the tristate area. Ms. Mitchell is skilled in grassroots organizing, campaign management, and legislative action. For the last five years she has been an adjunct professor at Stony Brook University’s School of Social Welfare where she teaches courses in policy, legislative advocacy, and political campaign management. Ms. Mitchell is currently a Ph.D.student at the Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University. Ms. Mitchell is the Chair of the NASW-NYS PACE (political action) committee.

Tune in to Segment #10 of This Covid-19 Special which features  Ms. Elisa Brown, MSW: Class of 2020  Adelphi University School of Social Work Ms. Elisa Brown, a Brooklyn native, is a youth educator with nearly 15 years’ experience in leadership development, community organizing, counseling, and providing career​ services to Community youth.  She is a recent May 2020 MSW Graduate of Adelphi University School of Social Work. In addition to her recently earned MSW she also has a BS in Human Services from Touro College and an MS in Organizational Leadership from Mercy College. She is also a member of the Delta Mu Delta Business Honors Society and the (NASW) National Association of Social Workers. In 2003 she decided to shift her focus to young girls and their development. It was at that time that she founded https://girlskorner.org/, a startup non-profit with the mission of the encouraging, inspiring, educating, and building self-confident young ladies ages 11-18. Ms. Brown continues to serve the underserved in her community through their lifespan. During her field placement while studying at Adelphi, she was assigned the role of Eldercare Social Worker at the height of the pandemic. It was during this time that Elisa says she realized that she stepped into her true calling in “Social Work”. Ms. Elisa Brown was highlighted in Adelphi University President,  Christine Riordan’s May 2020 Newsletter. President Riordan single out Elisa and several other students who were thrust into the role of essential workers at the onset of the Corona Virus Pandemic.

Tune in to Segment #9 of This Covid-19 Special which features Dr. Laura S. Abrams:  Dr. Abrams is Chair of the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, Social Welfare Department. Listen as Dr. Abrams discusses among other things, how Covid-19 laid bare the healthcare disparities heaped upon BIPOC Populations.  She talks about the connection between those disparities and the racial tensions that boiled over as people across the spectrum took to the streets to declare that things must change.  Dr. Abrams masterfully ties all of this together as she discusses her research and the  overall impact that the Pandemic had on her Social Work Students. especially as they had to abruptly cease their field placements and weren't able to pproperly termintae or say good bye to their clients.  She also talks about her research. Professor Abrams’ scholarship focuses on improving the well being of youth and young adults with histories of incarceration. Her ethnographic studies have examined youths’ experiences of criminality, risk, and institutions seeking to reshape their identities through both therapeutic and punitive practices. These themes are presented in her first book Compassionate Confinement: A Year in the Life of Unit C, (Rutgers University Press, 2013). Her second book Everyday Desistance: The Transition to Adulthood Among Formerly Incarcerated Youth (Rutgers University Press, 2017), examines how formerly incarcerated young men and women navigate reentry and the transition to adulthood in the context of urban Los Angeles. She has published over 75 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, and is the author of two edited volumes: The Voluntary Sector in Prisons (Palgrave, 2016); and The International Handbook of Youth Imprisonment (Routledge, forthcoming). Dr. Abrams is currently involved in several studies concerning juvenile justice, reentry, and transition age youth both locally and globally. The Institute on Inequality and Democracy funded a pilot study on global youth justice models in four countries, examining how issues of age, maturity, and culpability are constructed in law and practice. She also recently completed a study of very young offenders, incarceration, and health, funded by the University of California Criminal Justice and Health Consortiumand the UCLA Faculty Senate Trans-disciplinary Seed Grant. She is currently partnering with Professor Laura Wray-Lake on a mixed methods study of civic engagement among urban youth.

Join us and get inspired listening to Dr. Jacqueline Bouvier Copeland’s extraordinary journey in the world of philanthropy and her exceptional contributions to advancing the social and economic wellbeing of disadvantaged communities in the U.S  and around the world and her significant impact on black and brown communities. Hear how Dr. Copeland founded Black Philanthropy Month in 2011, and find out how Give 8/28 got started and the significance of that date. Dr. Copeland is the co-founder of Pan-African Women’s Philanthropy Network (PAWPNet), a global association of African-descent and allied women leaders, donors, and activists of all backgrounds. She is also currently the Founder and Chair of the WISE Fund (Women Invested to Save Earth). Dr. Copeland serves on the board of advisors for the alternative energy company, Uncharted Power and in 2013 she received the “Hero for Health Award” for her dedication and commitment to the social justice field and outstanding achievements in the areas of leadership and research.

Andrew J. Peters, LCSW, is the Director of Social Work programs at Adelphi University's Manhattan Center. He is also an adjunct professor teaching generalist practice, group work, and oppression and diversity.  He talks about Racial Injustice and Healthcare Disparities related to  the pandemic.  Prof. Peters educates listeners to why Social Workers are "Essential", and what their commitment is to assisting those in need.   Prior to Adelphi, Andrew worked for 18 years at Long Island Crisis Center, starting as a front line social worker and later serving as a clinical supervisor, program director and the associate executive director. During his tenure, he developed Pride for Youth, a matrix of health and wellness services for Long Island's LGBTQ+ young adults, and a street outreach project providing shelter and services to runaway and homeless youth. He has overseen school-based services, participatory research, legislative advocacy, educational theater, and EBP group and community interventions, and he formerly served on Nassau County's HIV Commission. He has overseen school-based services, participatory research, legislative advocacy, educational theater, and EBP group and community interventions, and he formerly served on Nassau County's HIV Commission. #socialwork #socialworker #covid-19 #msw #lmsw #lcsw #dsw #bsw #adelphi #covid19 #frontlines #essentialworkers #kelsunn #e-journalismsocialworkadvocate #podcast #nasw

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On Saturday August 15, 2020,  “Radio Jobline” Executive Producer and  Host, Scott Passeser interviewed Silas W. Kelly, LMSW – CEO & Founder of Kelsunn Communications, Inc. On LI News Radio Station, 103.9 FM. Listen as they discuss “The Emotional Impact of The Pandemic and The Protests”.

Dr. Veronica Hardy, LCSW: Dr. Veronica Hardy is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, published writer, and Full Professor at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Throughout her career, Dr. Hardy has provided services in settings including residential treatment facilities, in her private counseling practice, and served as a faculty member in various social work and counseling programs. Dr. Hardy has focused her attention on social justice and community issues including human sex trafficking of children and adolescents. She also focuses on racial equity in K through 12 school settings. She also heavily emphasizes the integration of spirituality and mental health in her therapy and counseling. In her widely read book,  “A Letter to My Sisters: Reflecting on God’s Promises”, Dr. Veronica L. Hardy uses a workbook style to guide readers through brief narratives, biblical insights, and reflective questions – encouraging them to contemplate on their experiences from a spiritual perspective. Dr. Hardy has been honored with the Civic Excellence Award by the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. – Sigma Iota Omega Chapter.

Dr, Samantha Fletcher was selected as the Executive Director of the NY State Chapter of NASW in September of 2019. She has been instrumental in taking the chapter to new heights, especially since the on-set of the Corona Virus Pandemic. Dr. Fletcher details in this segment how she, the Chapter Board of Directors and her Staff supported the NASW Member and non-member Social Workers during the early stages of the Corona Virus Pandemic outbreak. Listen as she talks about how Dr. Fletcher recognized right away that in order to best support the general public during this crisis the State's Social Workers need to be strongly supported and advocated for. Samantha is a member of the Cherokee Nation and strongly embraces native culture. She earned her Master’s degree in Social Work (2014) and a Ph.D. (2018) from the University at Albany School of Social Welfare. Prior to her tenure at the University at Albany, she worked for over 15 years in human services including a family law firm, a crisis pregnancy center, an Islamic school, as well as a personal training business. After earning her Ph.D., Samantha served as the Assistant Dean of Academic Programs and the Director of Admissions in the School of Social Welfare at the University at Albany. She partnered with the Assistant Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to implement a social justice group for students, faculty, and staff called “The Gathering;” this endeavor increased awareness of social injustice for all members of the community and instantiated an on-going method for critically examining inequality at micro-, meso-, and macro-levels of analysis. She worked with a diverse team of administrators and faculty to implement quality educational programming for social work students at all levels (BA, MSW, and Ph.D.). In addition to enacting New York State and the Council on Social Work Education mandates for the School, a special emphasis of her work was to deepen and expand the School’s focus on social justice.

Ms. Dana Kane Glickman, LCSW – Is a caring, dedicated, and seasoned professional who has 38 years of experience providing individual, group and family psychotherapy to children, adolescents, and families. She is the founder and CEO of the highly successful organization, “Kidz Helping Kidz”, a place where all children feel accepted, special, important, and significant. Her organization has been working with children from Dix Hills, Long Island in NY to deal with the stress and anxiety brought on by the Covid-19 Pandemic. Listen to hear how she has been helping children and parents adjust, adapt, and cope during the Corona Virus Pandemic. Ms. Glickman skillfully re-created her services so that she could still provide the quality offerings her company has grown to be known for. Listen as she describes how she motivated her kids to think about others, reach out to others, and focus on the positives of showing gratitude and giving thanks. She masterfully helps the “children clients” she serves look for, find, and celebrate the positives amidst the calamity and negativity of the Covid-19 Global Pandemic!!

Dr. Melanie Sage, LCSW, Is the Author of the Powerful and Widely Read Essay, “Love Letter To Social Workers” https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/love-letter-social-workers-front-lines-covid-19-sage-licsw-phd/ – Is an Assistant Professor of Social Work at the University of Buffalo. Her practice background includes ten years in public child welfare, hospital mental health, and working with Veterans. She is the Director of Institute for Healthy Engagement and Resilience at the Buffalo Center for Social Research. Her research passion is the  beneficial uses of technology for promoting well-being, especially for marginalized youth,  she is the  Chair of husITa,the "Human Services Information Technology Association",  an international non-profit that promotes ethical technology use, and a co-chair of the Social Work Grand Challenge of Harnessing Technology for Social Good Committee!!

Ms. Nzingha Gaines currently provides social & emotional support services as the Family Support Social Work Specialist for three Alternative Charter High Schools in Lee County Florida. She created the Facebook Page: MECCA (Making Engaging Community Connections Accessible) which hosts Weekday Live Episodes providing topics and resources specifically addressing the social/emotional impact of COVID-19 on parents with children. She is also a Mental Health Professional/Substance Abuse Counselor serving marginalized, disenfranchised youth, children and families for 28 years Nzingha Gaines, MSW Consulting, the company Ms. Gaines founded, provides mental health and academic consultation, training, workshops locally, regionally, and nationally presentations specifically designed to address the deficit of Mental Health Literacy and Cultural Competence within school systems, community agencies and many religious/church organizations.

Listen to Ms. Rebekah Gewirtz, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Chapter of The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), as she talks about Social Workers from Massachusetts immediately answering the call to assist the Elder Veteran Population during the Covid-19 Outbreak! Hear her explain why she penned the powerful opinion piece entitled, “As I See It: Social workers are essential personnel, so why aren’t we talking about them?” According to Ms. Gewirtz, she wrote this article to bring attention to the lack of recognition for the role Social Workers are playing in the battle against the deadly Covid-19 Pandemic!! She wants the public to recognize and appreciate what they do! https://www.telegram.com/news/20200330/as-i-see-it-social-workers-essential-personnel-so-why-arent-we-talking-about-them

The is the first segment in the "Kelsunn-on-the-Air" Social Work Podcast,   Special Series entitled  "Social Workers - Confronting Covid-19 with Compassion, Courage, and Character".  Hear: Dr. Elizabeth Eckhardt, LCSW - Director of the  Nassau County Bar Association’s Lawyer’s Assistance Program  as she talks about the stressful and challenging roles Social Workers are dealing with in hospitals. Listen as she tells the stories of Social Workers being there for their patients, their patients families, and other healthcare providers. Feel the pain and hear the heartbreak as she details the traumatic experiences Social Workers are dealing with.

July 20, 2020 this Podcast was awarded 2nd Place in the Press Club of Long Islang, Society of Professional Journalist Media Awards!!! Listen as Award-Winning Journalist @EmilyNonko discusses her findings on how Public Libraries are turning to Professional Social Workers to assist those in need. Hear how this collaboration to help those in need is becoming a national phenomenon. Many thanks to the Merrick Library in Nassau County, NY for providing the space for this interview.

***In Photo Pictured Left to Right:  Ms Bridget Livingston, Direct Care Staff Member & Directress & Vocal Coach of the F.R.E.E. Ensemble Players Ms. Lois Logan, LCSW-R Social Worker & Musical Consultant to the F.R.E.E. Ensemble Players Mr. Robert Budd, Executive Director of F.R.E.E. Hello everyone.  The organization that will be highlighted in this segment does magnificent work.  The name of the organization is called “Family Residential and Essential Enterprises”, Better Known as “F.R.E.E”.  The organization was founded in 1977.  The organization proudly supports more than 4,000 individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities, mental illness and traumatic brain injury. It is the mission of FREE to help individuals of all abilities realize their full potential. The story you are about to hear is amazing.  However, the real story in this segment is about a talented group of “Differently-Abled” F.R.E.E. consumers.  These consumers, on the Autism Spectrum were given the opportunity to realize their “full potential”.  They had music and a message in them so they took that opportunity to heights unknown. This is an amazing story told by dedicated professionals about the positively, powerful impact music has on Mental Illness. Listen and be inspired.

Listen to the moving story of Ms. Danielle Kirk and her passionate drive to "Destigmatize" Mental Illness once and for all. Hear her own story of fighting through her own mental illness brought on by a near-fatal horse-riding accident, Ms. Kirk shares the knowledge related to her realization that Mental Illness & Addiction are "Brain Conditions" and they can be successfully treated like any other medical condition. Most Importantly be inspired by the global initiative that she is launching called the "Live in Light Institute" better known as "LILI" . She has decided to dedicate her life to addressing these "Brain Conditions" and more importantly, making sure that reliable, professional medical and psychiatric help and needed resources are readily available to all who may need them. We invite you all to listen and "Get Lifted By LiLi!!!

Listen as Social Worker & EAP Specialist, Megan Dwyer, LMSW, and Mental Wellness Advocate Frank Pomata, MA Discuss Mental Health and Wellness in the Work Place. Hear about the role EAP Social Workers Play in helping people navigate their problems so they can stay gainfully employed. Hear first-hand how mental illness can and has derailed the efforts of someone to stay gainfully employed.  Listen to statistics from a research article published in the Harvard Medical School Journal on the impact un-diagnosed and untreated mental health issues have in the work place and on the economy.  Listen as our guest provide suggestions on how to address this issue. 

Hello All: Please Click, Listen, Like, & Share this Election Day Special - In Memory of the Late “Congressman Elijah Cummings” by Silas, Your "E-Journalism Social Work Advocate".  I interviewed NASW Member, Political Social Worker, and Stony Brook Social Work Professor Jessica J. Mitchell, LMSW. She shares her knowledge about the importance of Social Workers being Political involved. She also talks a lot about getting Social Work Students involved politically. I dedicated the show to the late Congressman Elijah Cummings and begin and end the segment with a powerful message he shares from his mother before she passed, about voting.

   Long Island Youth connected to the Town of Smithtown’s Horizons Counseling and Education Center, The Smithtown Youth Bureau, and the Smithtown Youth Alliance had some things they needed to say to other youth. However, they needed a vehicle to be able to get those messages to as many young people as possible. They were encouraged to find their voice and use it to spread positive messages of hope and help regarding critical issues plaguing today’s youth. The issues they passionately wanted to talk to young people about were: “Vaping”, “Under-Age Drinking”, “Peer-Pressure” and “Marijuana Use. These are issues they and their peers face on a daily basis. Many of their friends have fallen victim to these problems. These youth wanted to do something about it. Several Staff and Administrators of the agencies reached out to Staff Member, Silas W. Kelly, LMSW, current NASW-NYS Board Member and Self -Titled “E-Journalism Social Work Advocate”. Silas came up with the idea to reach out to his Alma Mater, Suffolk County Community College. Kelly studied Radio and TV (RTV) Production there many years ago. He pitched his idea to one of his former professors from the college, Alan Bernstein, recently retired Director of the RTV program, and one of his former Program Director’s from Kelly’s earlier radio days, and current College Radio Station Manager, Bill Terry, a 40-year radio veteran. Silas explained that students from the Youth Bureau wanted to produce PSA’s and the possibility of current students of the college’s RTV program handling all the technical production aspects of the project. The proposed collaboration was agreed upon. The Youth Bureau Students wrote PSA’s to address the four issues they identified and selected music beds to be used for each one as well. Arrangements were then made to take the students to record the PSA’s at Suffolk Community College’s Broadcast Facilities on August 1, 2018. Current SCCC students Joe Adleman and Kevin Nessler of the Radio/TV Program handled all of the technical production of recording the PSA’s and doing the final mix-downs. Through a major collaborative effort the Youth Bureau students, with the support, guidance, and encouragement of Administrators (Matthew Neebe, LCSW– Director, Drug and Alcohol Counseling Services-Town of Smithtown-NASW Member), Stacey Sanders, BA – Smithtown Youth Bureau Director, along with Staff Counselors: Kelly Devito, Alexa Stern, Madlyn Makboulian, and Cynthia Grimley – Staff, and Counselors of the Town of Smithtown’s Horizons Counseling and Education Center, The Smithtown Youth Bureau, and the Smithtown Youth Alliance. The students put together a masterful PSA project. These are the topics of the PSA’s in the order they are played and the students that voiced them: 1.) Vaping PSA: Alexa Grimley, Alexa Rand, and Sydney Rose 2.) Underage Drinking PSA: Abi Anand, Alexa Rand, and Vaishnavi Ravichandar 3.) Peer Pressure PSA: Alexa Grimley and Vaishnavi Ravichandar 4.) Marijuana PSA: Sydney Rose and Abi Anand ***Youth Bureau Student, Victoria DiFiore, was a PSA writer also. These PSA’s have been shared by the Smithtown Youth Bureau, on various Social Media outlets, Local Newspapers,  and The Internet. 

Listen as Frank Pomata discusses his personal challenges dealing with his own Mental Illness diagnoses. Hear how he ran from it and hid it for many years before deciding to "Come Out Of The Shadows" as he put it. Hear him advise listeners to seek help when they need it. Marvel at him as he tells how he triumphed over his stigma.