Our Delaware Valley Podcast

Carolyn Johnson, Esq., Legal Aid of Southeastern PA, Delaware County Division, discussed bankruptcy, a legal filing we’re hearing more and more about.  We discussed debt, overextended credit cards, mortgage issues, and for many Americans – medical bills, that can sink a household.  Ms Johnson walks us through the types of bankruptcy, who can file and the ramifications on your property and your future credit. For many it can provide a ‘fresh start’ and an opportunity to begin over, but it does not generally erase Student Loan debt, Federal Tax debts, Secured debt or alleviate court ordered payments such as spousal or child support.  Ms Johnson begins with negotiations to reduce the debt or create a payment plan, she verifies all debt and assets and works to save assets or protect homes and vehicles whenever possible.

For more information, or for resources in your community go to lasp.org.

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Jim Bianchetta, President of PFLAG Delaware, and Sally McBride, a founder and Co-Chair of PTK - DE (Parents of Trans Kids) discussed their efforts to support their children and their children’s communities.

PFLAG is the first and largest organization for LGBTQ+ people, their parents and families, and allies with nearly 400 chapters and 250,000 members and supporters across America; Jim spoke of reaching out to them when his son came out as gay and staying to help other parents who may need support and information. PTK-DE is a support group for parents of transgender and gender-expansive kids founded in part from the experiences of Sally and her trans-daughter.

Both are grateful for the legal protections Delaware offers its residents, but worry about families in areas that don’t have a supportive community or resources. Jim and Sally stress education and real information as the best way to work through the feelings, the fear and the uncertainty parents experience. For youth or children who are not accepted by their parents, they offer help with resources and peer support. They work with schools and other institutions to help them create a welcoming, understanding and respectful environment. Jim is currently working with others on the Delaware LGBTQ+ Housing Safeguard Committee to offer safe housing, medical care and other basic needs.

For more information on PFLAG visit PFLAG.ORG. Find PTK as a support organization at ACLU.org or email them at [email protected]

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On Monday, June 27th, 92.5 XTU presented a 'Town Hall,' hosted by Andie Summers, discussing the highway tragedy that took the lives of Troopers Branden Sisca and Martin Mack.  They were struck, along with a pedestrian they were assisting, by an impaired driver thaty had stopped minutes before.  

Andie speaks with Captain Gerard B. McShea, Commanding Officer of the Pennsylvania State Police Troop K in Philadelphia,  Stephanie Mack, wife of fallen Trooper Martin Mack, and artist Kip Moore.  92.5 XTU has created a fundraiserto benefit the families, you can donate at 925xtu.com or text the word “United” to 215-263-6700.  

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Dr. Keith Klosterman, a marriage and family therapist and Core Faculty member in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Walden University, discussed how to speak to - and comfort - children in the wake of tragedy. From school shootings, to wildfires and headlines about war, many parents are afraid to talk to their children.  Keith reminds us that children are often much more aware of what’s happening than we believe, through social media and their peers kids get a lot of information.   His first suggestion, sort out your own emotions before you begin a conversation.  Listen and acknowledge that it is okay to be worried, or frightened, let them guide your discussion and share your own feelings.  He tells us it’s never too early to ask about your child’s mental health and asks parents to watch for signs of anxiety, depression or changes in behavior.  He recommends visiting the Child Mind Institute for tips and material on helping you and your child develop the coping skills and a healthy life balance to help you manage.  His parting words, we need to provide more and better mental health services for families, and that every child needs a caring adult – a parent, teacher, counselor, to take the time to talk and listen, honestly, in an age-appropriate manner and understand what they are thinking and feeling.  Remember, in a crisis situation your can receive immediate help by text at 741741.  

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Ian Krantz, MD, an attending physician in the Division of Genetics at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and Mike Tillson, President of Mike Tillson Motorcars, discussed Cool Cars for Kids, a charity devoted to raising funds for genetic research and programming at CHOP.   Dr. Krantz, Director of the Roberts Individualized Medical Genetics Center, Director of the Center for Cornelia de Lange Syndrome and Related Diagnoses and the Genetics Residency/Fellowship Director, discussed his work with patients affected by genetic disorders and birth defects, common treatable issues through complex, debilitating, or even fatal, conditions.  He spoke about the services for families through diagnosis, counseling and treating some of the rarest problems children can have.   They then discussed the annual Concours d’ Elegance, June 24 and 25th at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum in Philadelphia to benefit the genetic research and programming at CHOP.  They spoke of the founding of Cool Cars, the host of the Concours, bringing car owners and fans to help support his work.  This year they will celebrate the ‘Snakes’ – the Cobras and Vipers, with a opening Gala on Friday night, a rally to the Saturday event, a ‘corral’ of fun collectables and workshops and seminars with two of Carroll Shelby's early "employees", Peter Brock and Chuck Cantwell who helped establish the Shelby brand worldwide, on the street and the racetrack, and Roy Sjoberg, known as “Father Viper,” who spent his childhood growing up in Media, Pa.   For more information go to coolcarsforkids.org

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Caitlin Deutsch, Manager of Family Programs at Philadelphia Museum of Art, discussed the return of Art Kids, a summer-long series of family programming with hands-on art activities at the museum.  Programs include guided tours and the chance to make art inspired by the collections.  There will be ‘pay as you wish’ Family Festivals on July 3 and August 7, with musical entertainment, demonstrations and art making.  We talked about the online resources available to educators and families to help plan a trip and to better appreciate the different forms or art on display.   Outside the museum, they are again partnering with Parks and Recreation to create and distribute 5,000 art-making kits to children participating n programs at parks and amp sites across the region.  Each will also include a Family Pas to allow the child’s entire family to visit the museum together.  There are special sensory-friendly morning programs and Museum admission is always free to those 18 and under. 

She also discussed their efforts to introduce art experience from around the world, allowing children to see new forms of art and exhibits that reflect the wide cultural diversity of the city.  Ms Deutsch wants children to feel wonderment at new possibilities and see themselves as potential artists.  

Visit philamuseum.org

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Jamie Cohen, Area Director, and Scott Godshall, Board Chair for the Greater Philadelphia Chapter for American Foundation for Suicide Prevention discussed their chapter’s programs for families and survivors.  Scott notes the impact, for every death by suicide, there are 25 attempts, each affecting a circle of family and friends into the hundreds, and it can happen within any community or group.  They talked about their core programming based on education, mental health awareness and research.  Towards awareness AFSP offers programs for all ages, including picture books for small children to Talk Saves Lives for high schoolers and even businesses.  They offered the signs that speak of mental health issues and distress, including changes in mood or attitude, changes in sleeping patterns and activities, talking about negative feelings or what it would be like if they were gone, and they remind us that asking about someone about their feelings will not cause any harm or introduce the thought of suicide.  They want us to begin that conversation, listen non-judgmentally and then follow through with help calling or seeking intervention.   Scott praised their research, they are the largest private funder in the country, they look for not just causes, but ways to reach vulnerable populations, including prisons and college campuses.   

Finally, they asked us to register to walk, volunteer or donate to the Greater Philadelphia Chapter’s Out of the Darkness Walk on Sunday October 2nd beginning at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.  They discussed the goal, to raise money for their programs, but also as a conversation starter and a community builder towards helping people heal.    

In a crisis, call 911 and seek immediate mental health intervention.  If you need guidance before staring a conversation, or if you are feeling at risk, you can also call 800-273-8255 or TEXT 741741 for a live, trained therapist who can direct you to help wherever you are. 

For volunteer opportunities or the register or donate to the Out of the darkness Walk go to AFSP.org/PHILLYwalk

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Ian Krantz, MD, an attending physician in the Division of Genetics at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and Mike Tillson, President of Mike Tillson Motorcars, discussed the annual Concours d’ Elegance, June 24 and 25th at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum in Philadelphia to benefit the genetic research and programming at CHOP.  

Dr. Krantz, Director of the Roberts Individualized Medical Genetics Center, Director of the Center for Cornelia de Lange Syndrome and Related Diagnoses and the Genetics Residency/Fellowship Director, discussed his work with patients affected by genetic disorders and birth defects and their families through diagnosis, counseling and treating some of the rarest – or most common – problems children can have.   

They spoke of the founding of Cool Cars, the host of the Concours, bringing car owners and fans to help support his work.  This year they will celebrate the ‘Snakes’ – the Cobras and Vipers, with a opening Gala on Friday night, a rally to the Saturday event, a ‘corral’ of fun collectables and workshops and seminars with two of Carroll Shelby's early "employees", Peter Brock and Chuck Cantwell who helped establish the Shelby brand worldwide, on the street and the racetrack, and Roy Sjoberg, known as “Father Viper,” who spent his childhood growing up in Media, Pa. Also featured will be legendary Super Bowl-winning Coach Dick Vermeil, who will be inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame this August.

Funds raised at both events support The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and research to deliver care and support to children and families who struggle with medical complexities associated with rare genetic diagnoses.

For more information and to register a car go to coolcarsforkids.org 

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Dr. Michael Benninghoff, Chief of Medical Critical Care, and Nurse MAnager Carol Ritter discussed their work during the pandemic, not only caring for their 'sickest of the sick' patients with chronic or acute illnesses, but also those most affected by COVID.  ChristianaCare’s Medical Intensive Care Unit not only made it through the worst of the COVID months, they were recognized for an unprecedented  fifth time for exceptional care, they discuss their game plan and how they prepared for the unthinkable.

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00:29DownloadMay 25th

Joe Brooks, Executive Director of the Veterans Multi Service Center, discussed their vital work in serving the veterans who were broken by their service, providing emergency shelter, addiction services and needed documentation; working to ensure they receive the benefits they are entitled to receive, navigational help with medical benefits and care through the Veterans Administration and educational and other funds they are due. He discussed its founding, by Vietnam vets as a direct service provider to other vets, to a tri-state regional provider with nine offices and shelter facilities. 

We discussed their work in employment for vets, ranging from shelter and medical and addiction intervention through job training, resumes and coaching.   While some vets will not be able to establish a career, he encourages employers to hire vets for steady, committed employees, who understand teamwork and schedules and notes that 91% of his vets gain life-changing employment.    Joe addressed the myth that homeless or vulnerable vets are alone, many vets are supporting families.  He described the need for services for the entire vet family. We also spoke of their programming for female vets; they will soon make up 20% of the population.  He discussed their unique programming for women, addressing the sexual trauma many experienced they offer direct services administered by women and shelter exclusively for women.       

VMCenter.org

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