Hudson Valley Parents Debate Masks in Schools

As the Delta variant rages on, so does the debate over students wearing masks in schools come fall. Children across the country, especially those ineligible for the vaccine, are ending up in the intensive care unit for COVID-19. This is a concern for Tameka Arroy-Santiago, a Hopewell Junction parent of two school-aged children under theContinue reading “Hudson Valley Parents Debate Masks in Schools”

Connecticut Native Seeks to Brighten Up Community

New Haven, Connecticut brought longtime medical professional Doreen Abubakar positive memories as a child. Today, Abubakar makes the revitalization of one of its deprived neighborhoods her life’s work. The Newhallville area was a thriving working-class community before the 1980s. Like many working class areas across the country, an economic downturn left the area in direContinue reading “Connecticut Native Seeks to Brighten Up Community”

New Jersey Teen Inspires Mental Health Movement

When Jersey City teenager Hunter Reinholt died tragically at 15 after an accidental overdose in 2019, his mom Tracy decided to take action. She gathered his group of friends to figure out how to honor his legacy. “Everyone was focused on how he lived,” she said. “We decided to start something that focused on that,Continue reading “New Jersey Teen Inspires Mental Health Movement”

The Trauma of Racism: A Therapist’s Perspective

Racial tension is a hot-button issue today in our schools, workplaces and the political discourse. It is an issue that many of psychologist Dr. Cassandra Hutchins’ patients look to deal with in therapy. “I would say the racial climate impacts 95 percent of my patients,” she said. “Regardless of their race, I am seeing thatContinue reading “The Trauma of Racism: A Therapist’s Perspective”

New Jersey Chiropractor Discusses Son’s AD/HD

When New Jersey chiropractor Daniel Cardellichio discovered that his 13-year-old son James had attention deficit/hyperactive disorder (or AD/HD), he started to reflect on his own childhood. “I think that I had AD/HD growing up,” he said. “It was a situation where I remember sitting in class, looking at that clock every 10 seconds. I wasContinue reading “New Jersey Chiropractor Discusses Son’s AD/HD”

Critical Race Theory Debate Rocks Connecticut Schools

Critical Race Theory has sparked a nationwide debate over how to talk about race in schools. In Connecticut, the debate arose within schools, and made its way to the state legislature. Connecticut State Senator Rob Sampson introduced an amendment last month to ban critical race theory in K-12 education. The amendment ultimately failed to pass.Continue reading “Critical Race Theory Debate Rocks Connecticut Schools”

Connecticut Program Manager Talks Being Asexual

When Cristina Knowles came out as asexual, she knew people would react to her with confusion. “Usually, I just start with telling people the definition of my sexuality,” she said. “For me, it means that I am not attracted to people. Even though I can be like, ‘wow, they’re really beautiful,’ it doesn’t translate intoContinue reading “Connecticut Program Manager Talks Being Asexual”

Grief Stories: Theodore “Tree” Arrington

Theodore “Tree” Arrington was a leader. A giver. A friend. A mentor. A husband and father. As the founder of Poughkeepsie’s R.E.A.L. Skills Network, Arrington made a real difference in the time he lived. He died shockingly in April of last year at age 66. Yesterday, people gathered to watch the unveiling of a muralContinue reading “Grief Stories: Theodore “Tree” Arrington”

Graduates Reflect on their Pandemic Senior Year

Ashley Sanchez, Isabella Crow and Anastasia Zhurova had a senior year of school like no other. Each of the Hudson Valley residents did not know what to expect from their milestone year. Cornwall Central High School graduate Crow is currently working at Camp Lookout in Frankfurt, Michigan. She will attend the University of Michigan thisContinue reading “Graduates Reflect on their Pandemic Senior Year”

Reflecting on HIV/AIDS 40 Years Later

Forty years ago, the Center for Disease Control released the first report of a disease that would later become known as Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, or AIDS. In light of this historical moment, the community relations director of the world’s first HIV/AIDS service organization reflects. Krishna Stone, 62, volunteered for GMHC, or Gay Men’s HealthContinue reading “Reflecting on HIV/AIDS 40 Years Later”