My Reflections on September 11

September 11, 2001. It is a day when most of those alive remember where they were, and how they felt. I myself was a child at 8 years old. I came home from school early that day, not thinking much of it. Teachers and faculty did not appear to be tense at the time, soContinue reading “My Reflections on September 11”

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”

COVID Survivors for Change Founder Shares Story

Lawyer and gun control advocate Chris Kocher pivoted when the pandemic hit New York City the hardest last spring. After seeing friends survive COVID-19 or lose loved ones, Kocher knew there was a need to address the emotional trauma. “I wanted to see if there was something I could do to support families most impacted,”Continue reading “COVID Survivors for Change Founder Shares Story”

Spotlight On: Saiwa Healing Arts

It was her own anxiety that led Lauren Haimelin Carter to embark on a career healing others. As a student at the State University of New York in New Paltz, being an overachiever had its limits. When she came back from studying abroad in Spain in 2002, a doctor diagnosed the now-41-year-old with anxiety. “IContinue reading “Spotlight On: Saiwa Healing Arts”

On the Frontlines: New York City Nurse Liza Billings

By: Mallika Rao Last year gave nurse Liza Billings a new perspective on life. While working at the emergency room in Manhattan’s Lenox Health Greenwich Village hospital, she lost her brother Leo to the COVID-19 virus. On top of that, Billings, 42, braced the early months of the pandemic at an overwhelmed hospital. Pre-pandemic, sheContinue reading “On the Frontlines: New York City Nurse Liza Billings”

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”

Dutchess County Family Court Judge Candidate Saunders Speaks

Fresh off a decisive victory, Democratic nominee for Dutchess County Family Court Judge Rachel Saunders reflects on her journey. Saunders secured the Working Families Party ballot line for the November general election in a surprise move. She beat incumbent Denise Watson, the county family court judge since 2011, in a narrow 76-74 vote. The twoContinue reading “Dutchess County Family Court Judge Candidate Saunders Speaks”

Trans and Queer March Hosted in Beacon

A march to address transgender and queer issues in the Beacon area and elsewhere took place yesterday. Reports of a right-wing activist sending threatening messages have left Beacon LGBTQ+ residents and their allies fearful. Nationwide, bills in state legislatures threaten to curb transgender rights. The march started at Memorial Park and went through the neighborhoodContinue reading “Trans and Queer March Hosted in Beacon”