Our Delaware Valley Podcast

Sonya Bohmann,  Board Chair of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, discussed their mission of research, education and prevention and support.  We discussed new data, suicide has now become the 11th leading cause of death for adults, up from 12th, with rates for youth rising – depending on the state, to 2nd to 6th leading cause of death. 

She spoke about programs aimed at communities with higher rates but less open conversation, including their L.E.T.S. Save Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention for Black and African American Communities, a presentation created by and for Black people to reduce cultural stigma and raise awareness for individuals who identify as Black or African American.  She also discussed AFSP free programing for students, from Gizmo the dog talking about ‘big feelings’ to younger children, to middle and high-school programs that encourage conversation and listening skills.  She recommends the website Seize the Awkward for guidance on reaching students and young adults.

We talked about 988, now in its second year. She described its funding and the teams answering calls or texts, always a trained counselor, and in many larger cities, a trained mobile response crew.  She notes that older resources, such as 741741, are still operational, too.

She asked for volunteers, anyone can help, either through sharing their own lived experience or by helping with events.  Visit the AFSP website for more information.

We talked about the 20th annual Out of the Darkness Walk, October 6th at a new site, The Mann Center, with its plenty of free parking and beautiful grounds.  Walk-ups are welcome, but you’re encouraged to register now, as an individual or as a team.  If you can’t walk, you can select a team to support for the walk website, AFSP.ORG/PHILLYWALK    Andie Summers of The Andie Summers Show on Beasley Media Group’s 92.5 XTU will be the emcee.

AFSP has added a Kick Off to the Walk where team captains come to pick up their t-shirts, signs, and more for the walk to start rallying their team and all can ‘Dine and Donate.’   On July 17th between 4pm-10pm, everyone is invited to the Texas Roadhouse in Montgomeryville, Downingtown, or Glen Mills, team captains can pick up their gear for the walk and everyone is able to donate through their dining check.  Bring a FLYER posted at 925XTU.com  or AFSP.ORG/PHILLYWALK's website, and 10% of your total bill at Texas Roadhouse will go back to AFSP.

For more information about AFSP visit AFSP.org.

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Bill Perthes, the Bernard C. Watson Director of Adult Education for the Barnes Foundation discussed founder Albert Barnes and his foundation's history and mission as they celebrate their 120 Anniversary.  

This summer, the Barnes Foundation and Mural Arts Philadelphia present Visions, an exhibition of original work created by artists from Mural Arts Philadelphia’s Guild program and artists at State Correctional Institution Phoenix (SCI Phoenix), southeast Pennsylvania’s maximum-security prison for men.

The Guild is a paid apprenticeship program that gives justice-impacted young people the opportunity to develop marketable job skills, reconnect with their community, and explore the transformative power of art.   

The Barnes and Mural Arts launched their collaborative restorative justice initiative in 2018 with art education classes led by Barnes educators and printmaking workshops held at Philadelphia studios. Workshops have taken place at the print studio at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) and, for the past several years, Second State Press.  The program engages individuals who are incarcerated or on parole, probation, home detainment, or work release, and those with open criminal cases, by providing opportunities to reconnect with society in productive ways through community engagement, skill-building, and collaborative mural projects.

Free with general admission to the Barnes, Visions will be on view in the first-floor classroom of the Collection Gallery now through August 26, 2024.

We also discussed the current exhibit, Matisse & Renoir in a New Light.  The exhibit is supported by classes and workshops at the Barnes and online to allow an international audience.  Visit July and August classes.    

Additional classes include Impressionism and Japonisme, Art & Literature of the Harlem Renaissance and Bill’s own Close-Looking Immersion: William Glackens’s The Raft.

For more information about the Barnes Foundation, visit BarnesFoundation.org. 

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Ross Mitchell, Executive Director of Glen Foerd, discussed the 18-acre public park and historic site located along the Delaware River in Philadelphia, and a Fairmount Park property operated by the Glen Foerd Conservation Corporation in cooperation with Philadelphia Parks and Recreation.  Built in 1850 and enlarged in 1902-03, the estate—consisting of historic gardens, an Italianate-Classical Revival style mansion, and multiple additional structures—was saved from potential development through the activism of dedicated neighbors in 1983. Today, Glen Foerd focuses on welcoming a diverse community through a wide array of programs for all ages.

The Glen Foerd mansion is open for public visitation, free of charge, on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visiting the mansion includes access to areas on all four floors of the house, where pieces from Glen Foerd’s historic collection are on display alongside installations by Artists in Residence.

The grounds of Glen Foerd are open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Access to Glen Foerd is only restricted during private events and after dark.

Glen Foerd offers free public summer events including Third Thursdays, RiverFest, and ArtsFest.  There are also organ concert series featuring the recently restored 1902 Haskell pipe organ.

Glen Foerd promotes art and artists through a Teen Arts program and the Artists in Residence program, soon to feature three artists and performance and word art.

Promoting environmental-based educational programming. Glen Foerd is a founding member of the Riverways Collaboration, a consortium of non-profit organizations working together to create connections among local waterways and communities along the Delaware River. The Riverways Ambassador Program provides high school students with a greater appreciation for Philadelphia’s waterways, and to connect local students with paid hands-on learning experiences that teach them about careers in environmental stewardship. Other waterborne programs include kayaking and open boating and the Riverways boatbuilding program for high school students.

Other programs include Lily P.A.D.S, a children’s play and discovery program during the summer, workshops on crafts and art, and a community garden.

Their signature fundraising event, The Wedding Crashers Ball will be held on Oct. 25, featuring graduates of the Pig Iron theater group, this year’s theme will spoof the ‘Bachelor’ TV series.  

For more information visit www.glenfoerd.org 

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David Trevaskis, Director, and Bill Baldwin, Deputy Director of the Pro Bono Service for the Pennsylvania Bar Association, discussed membership in the bar, its privileges and responsibilities, in particular rule 6.1, directing attorneys to act in the public good.  Dave spoke of your right to representation in criminal cases and in family law such as parental termination hearings, and the low bar of income that can preclude you from free services.  We discussed civil issues, landlord/tenant disputes, bankruptcy, divorce, where an attorney can save you time and money, yet most are unable to afford legal help.  They spoke of research projects showing that a 3-million-dollar investment in legal services for Philadelphia housing disputes could save the city 53 million dollars in other services, including eviction costs, social services, re-housing and more.  In the case of divorce, lack of representation can add a year to the process, adding costs to both parties. 

The offered resources for people in need of representation, beginning with PALawHelp.org, an online way to see if you qualify for free services, they also discussed pa.freelegalanswers.org, an interactive resource that connects you with attorneys to answer your legal questions.  For residents of New Jersey and Delaware, there s a referral tab.  Bill also recommends your search for help can begin with your local county bar, most offer low or no cost services.

The PA Bar Association offers clinics and online resources, including their Wills for Heroes program, offering first responders and vets free help with wills. For more information visit PABAR.org

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Major Richard Sanchez discussed the Salvation Army’s mission in New Jersey, meeting the needs of each community through 29 worship and community centers located throughout the state.  We discussed the work in Camden, based on the founding of the Camden Kroc Center ten years ago.  He discussed the 26 acre facility, home to a first-class state-of-the-art gym with classes, classrooms and a 135,000 sq ft water park.  Open the public, it was the work of years of planning and fundraising, and developing the site, the former ‘Harrison Avenue Landfill,’ basically a neighborhood eyesore. The center services 6,000 families annually, with programming from food pantries, holiday assistance to addiction services, job and ESL support.  Major Sanchez described their membership, 60% Camden residents, from pre-school to the elderly, with programming for all.  Membership for all of the facilities is just $17 per month, with scholarships available.  It takes donations, volunteers and members, Major Sanchez invites all to learn more at CamdenKrocCenter.org.

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Deb Brown, Chief Mission Officer for the American Lung Association, gave us an update on the annual State of the Air Report and our Delaware Valley air quality it isn’t good when it comes to Ozone smog and particle pollution.   

We discussed the mission of the Lung Association, education, advocacy and research, which includes the annual report card.

She spoke on the health ramifications ozone and particle pollution, they can cause premature death and other serious health effects such as asthma attacks, heart attacks, strokes, preterm births and impaired cognitive functioning later in life. Particle pollution can also cause lung cancer. She notes that communities of color are disproportionately exposed to unhealthy air and are also more likely to be living with one or more chronic conditions that make them more vulnerable to air pollution, including asthma, diabetes and heart disease. The report found that a person of color in the U.S. is more than twice as likely as a white individual to live in a community with a failing grade on all three pollution measures.

Deb discussed their current research project on lung health, following a cohort or 25 to 35 year-olds to observe their lung health over the years.  Now in the second year, they are looking for volunteers to participate.   She reminded us of Saved by the Scan, lung screenings for former smokers with a 20-year history of smoking or a 2-park a day habit for 15 years, lung cancer is the number one killer for men and women and survival rates improve with early detection.     

We discussed their educational programming, including smoking cessation offerings and youth initiatives.   

We also discussed their advocacy work, advancing anti-tobacco laws and air pollution rules that will help clean up particle pollution and address climate change and promoting zero-emission technologies, like electric cars and trucks.

Finally, a call to volunteer or fundraise, either a DIY activity or through their annual Fight 4 Air Climbs or other events. 

For more information about the State of the Air reports, Saved by the Scan, their anti-smoking campaigns, volunteering or fundraising go to LUNG.org.

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David Oh, President & CEO of the Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia discussed the business building and business-to-business opportunities they offer.    

We spoke of his long career in public-service, as a three-term City Councilman and as a Mayoral Candidate this past year, and why he is now working with the Asian-American business community.   He discussed the various groups that make up this sector, including immigrants, from the ‘50s through today and their following generations, and the many countries who identify as Asian or Pacific Islanders, without sharing language or cultural interests. 

We discussed the opportunities the Chamber offers, from business planning for entrepreneurs, to networking and introductions to funding steams. 

He notes that many high-profile companies in the area do not have Asian-sounding names, and so go unrecognized as part of their community.  He also voiced his concerns that many businesses within the community close upon the retirement of the founders, he is looking for ways to pass these businesses on to the next generation. 

David discussed some of the recent success stories for the chamber, including increased membership and expanding staff to 3 full-time and office hours to 5 days a week, creating new initiatives for the construction and building trades, food and beverage and transportation companies, wrong on a coalition of AAPI news media organizations, and fundraising, with the AAPI Heritage Month Gala a huge triumph.  For more information about the Chamber visit asianchamberphila.org

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Dr Gregory Garber, Administrative Director for the Division of Supportive Oncology at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson Health, discusses mental health, yours and your care circle's, at and after a cancer diagnosis. 

Dr. Garber talks about how you cope with cancer, during and after treatment, has a big impact on your mental health, and should be part of your overall care plan.  He discussed the National Institute of Health 2007 mandate adding the psycho-social aspects of a cancer diagnosis within their proscribed treatment.  

We discussed ‘attitude’ and patient outcomes and that, generally speaking, your personality and coping ability will not change with a diagnosis of cancer. 

Can your attitude affect your outcome?  He notes, despite popular belief, research has been inconclusive. “There is really no good evidence that one’s attitude impacts how long they’re going to live after a cancer diagnosis or what their response to treatment will be.” 

If you were a gloomy person before your illness, you’ll come through just as morose.  If you are perpetually perky with a sunny disposition, you’ll take your bad news and treatment with the same cheerful outlook. “There are entirely miserable people who go through breast cancer or any kind of cancer treatment, and they do fine,” he continued.  “And, there are wonderful Pollyanna folk who go through it and do fine.”   

What IS affected by attitude is your quality of life during the treatment.  That’s where your personality and coping skills can make a difference in how you do. 

Learn to recognize your ‘triggers’ – the situations that cause you stress, then experiment and combine coping methods to find what works best for you.  Prioritizing your needs and time by making a schedule can help you feel less overwhelmed by the demands on your limited energy.  Take a break for deep breathing, meditation and gradual muscle relaxation.  Get back to daily exercise, as soon as you can, doing what you can. 

Eating well and getting enough sleep have a huge impact on your mental well-being.  While it can be rough during cancer therapy, making the effort then will make it easier to follow good habits after treatment has ended.  

Finally, talk to someone. 
If it’s affecting your relationships or your ability to work or parent, your ability to sleep or enjoy your daily activities, call your healthcare provider, or reach out to the America Cancer Society, they offer free online groups for patients with different diagnosis and at different points of treatment. 
The National Institute of Health, NAMI and Living Beyond Breast Cancer also offer peer-based support.  

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Dr. Ronald Collman, Director of the Penn Center for AIDS Research at the University of Pennsylvania, and Dr. Florence Momplaisir, Assistant Professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases and the Vice Chief for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the Perelman School of Medicine at UPenn, discussed Philadelphia’s rank as a national top 50 ‘hot spot’ by the CDC for new HIV transmissions and their concerns for the city if Syringe Exchange Services are stopped.  

After discussing the biology of HIV we looked at the numbers for our city, 
20,000 persons with HIV in Philadelphia, 30,000 in region with almost 400 new infections per year.  While two-thirds of the people living with HIV are on treatment and suppressed, a third are not and are able to transmit the virus.  In Philadelphia 28% of the persons with HIV are women, one of the highest percentages in the country.  The primary transmission method is sex, however intravenous drug use is another cause, one that can soon explode with new city restrictions on needle exchange programming.  
Treatments for HIV are great, but not as great as staying HIV negative: even with therapy, people with HIV are more likely to get the conditions of ageing including heart attacks, cancers, dementia and kidney failure.   Prevention is vital, if treated a person can reach U=U status, undetectable means un-transmittable.  PrEP, either daily oral or by scheduled injection, prevents infection, and there is even a ‘morning after’ medication that can prevent the disease even through contaminated needle transmission. 

Breaking down the numbers 64% of PWH are Black and 16% Hispanic.  The rates are 7x higher in Black & Hispanic and a Black male having sex with males faces a 1:3 lifetime risk for infection.  We discussed the underuse of treatment and PrEP in ethnic and minority communities, a combination of lack of knowledge and lack of access.  Youth numbers are also increasing, through carelessness and a mistaken belief that it is not a concern any more or that their circles are not affected.

The two made their case for continued Syringe Exchange Services noting that when introduced to Philadelphia in the 90’s, it reduced HIV transmission by 95%.  They pointed out that epidemics don’t stay contained, and will penetrate the broader Philadelphia community, in particular women who will have acquired it through sexual contact. 
  
They note that defunding clean syringes won’t stop people from injecting, and syringe exchange is a major way that IDUs end up linked to rehab care successfully.   

They also argued that saving $700,000 spent on needles will be more than offset by the cost for HIV and Hepatitis C care, as well as the cost of wound infections which is a huge burden on the City’s health care system and a big user of ER services, which makes it harder for others to access ER services.  

For more information about PrEp and other HIV services, contact the Philadelphia Department of Health at PhillyKeepOnLoving.com

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Joe Brooks, Executive Director of the Veterans Multi-Service Center, discussed their FREE comprehensive services for all veterans.   

Founded by veterans, today it addresses homelessness, hunger, incarceration, mental illness, drug abuse and unemployment, from housing and emergency relief, to VA benefit, lost documentation, job placement, to drug and alcohol counseling to military burials and survivor benefits at locations throughout PA, Southern NJ, and DE.   

No initial appointments are required, their headquarters at the corner of 4th and Florist by the entrance of the Ben Franklin Bridge is open Monday – Friday 8:30AM to 4:30PM.  

They ask vets to bring their DD-214 or VA Medical card for verification of military service.  If a vet does not have one or has lost it, the VMC can help them obtain one, the first step to restoring or uncovering benefits.  They will also work on behalf of a vet to correct a discharge status to obtain benefits.   Joe noted that the VMC uncovered over 15 million in unclaimed benefits last year alone. 

While the majority of vets served are male, in 2014 the VMC created the Women Veterans Program (WVP) to address the growing and unique needs of Women Veterans. It offers comprehensive resources for Women Veterans and their families in a trauma-informed space, tailored to the unique needs of military women. The WVP Old City location features a clothing closet, open computer lab, lending library, children’s play area and a full calendar of wellness and fellowship events. All activities, resources and events are free for military women and their children.

On June 21st, Beasley Media Group station WMGK 102.9FM will host its annual Vets Radiothon to benefit the Vets Multi-Service Center. The all day broadcast will feature special guests, hourly incentives, auction items and  prizes as they raise money for this center so vital for area vets.  Learn more at wmgk.com.

To learn more about The Veterans Multi-Service Center, their services, volunteer opportunities and how you can donate in kind, visit VMCenter.org

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