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Behavioral Health News
Bassett Furniture Transforms Guidance Center Waiting Room in “Make(over) a Difference”
Roslyn Heights, NY, March 13, 2017 — North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center is pleased to announce that on March 9, 2017, Bassett Furniture donated nearly $10,000 worth of furnishings to completely makeover its Roslyn Heights headquarters waiting room, where children and families spend time while at the Guidance Center.
“The room is absolutely beautiful,” said Andrew Malekoff, Executive Director of the Guidance Center. “It is a warm and comforting space, and it will make our visitors and clients feel welcomed and relaxed. It’s especially great for youngsters, who can play with all the toys and read books on the comfortable sofa. We are so grateful to the people at Bassett Furniture for choosing us as part of their Make(over) a Difference initiative, which shows that they care about the communities they serve.”
“Bassett Furniture is incredibly proud to be a member of the Westbury community and is committed to supporting the businesses and organizations in this area,” said Anthony Lear, Store Manager of the Garden City Bassett Home Furnishings store. “After learning about the positive impact the North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center has on children and families in this community, we knew we wanted to help this deserving organization. We were excited to donate nearly $10,000 worth of furniture and a room makeover to the waiting room of the Guidance Center, the first place a family visits when seeking help, to provide a comfortable and welcoming area for those who visit the Center. We believe that a great makeover can bring smiles, comfort, and encouragement for those who most need it.”
About Us:
As the pre-eminent not-for-profit children’s mental health agency on Long Island, North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center is dedicated to restoring and strengthening the emotional well-being of children (from birth – age 24) and their families. Our highly trained staff of psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, vocational rehabilitation counselors and other mental health professionals lead the way in diagnosis, treatment, prevention, training, parent education, research and advocacy. The Guidance Center helps children and families address issues such as depression and anxiety; developmental delays; bullying; teen pregnancy; sexual abuse; teen drug and alcohol abuse; and family crises stemming from illness, death, trauma and divorce. For more than 60 years, the Guidance Center has been a place of hope and healing, providing innovative and compassionate treatment to all who enter our doors, regardless of their ability to pay. For more information about the Guidance Center, visit www.northshorechildguidance.org or call (516) 626-1971.
About Bassett Furniture: Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq:BSET) is a leading manufacturer and marketer of high quality, mid-priced home furnishings. For more than a century, the name Bassett has defined quality without compromise, and today stands as one of America’s most iconic furniture brands. It all began in the late 1800s in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains northwest of Martinsville, Virginia. Today, Bassett remains committed to the early principles of the company: that high quality, stylish furniture should be available to everyone at an affordable price. With 90 company and licensee-owned stores, Bassett has leveraged its strong brand name in furniture into a network of corporate and licensed stores that focus on providing consumers with a friendly environment for buying furniture and accessories. For more information, visit www.bassettfurniture.com.
Mark your calendar for ‘The Krevat Cup’
Screenagers: Growing Up In The Digital Age
On Feb. 8, I was invited to participate in a program for parents and their teen and pre-teen children at East Woods School in Oyster Bay. The focus was on raising awareness about the struggles and danger our youth face today in connection with improper and inappropriate use of social media, cyber-bullying and gaming addictions. The program included a viewing of the documentary film Screenagers: Growing Up in the Digital Age, and featured a live panel discussion afterwards. I was one of four panelists.
Before seeing the film, I read some anonymous reviews written by adults and kids. Many of them sounded like this one: “Spot on Fantastic!” A few others were more critical. For example, a 16-year-old wrote, “It focuses on the downsides of electronics and never positives.” A 12-year-old wrote, “The message of Screenagers is that kids just exist for their parents to boss around and children’s opinions don’t matter.”
The film was well done and did spend a good deal of time presenting the risks in the digital world. The strength of the film was the interaction it stimulated, a positive step toward reducing isolation and building community.
The audience of kids and adults was asked, “Are you more fearful after having seen the film?” Easily more than half the parents raised their hands. A 13-year-old boy, when asked what he thought, said that he hadn’t realized how the overuse of digital technology impacts the brain and learning.
I shared the insight that, “Most parents are immigrants to the digital world, while our kids are digital natives.” A mom responded by saying that she never thought about it that way, like actual immigration and the misunderstandings it can create between the generations. Another parent spoke to the analogy by citing the challenge of trying to negotiate traditional and modern values with her kids, and how to preserve their cultural heritage without preventing them from adapting and growing.
“The digital world is an evolving landscape that parents have to learn to navigate,” said Kathleen Clark-Pearson, M.D., in a report she co-authored for the American Academy of Pediatrics.
The digital world is a great place for kids to connect socially, share photos with family, learn and have fun. As “immigrants” to this high-tech arena, parents would do well to immerse themselves in the digital world of their children and learn as much as possible in order to build common ground for communicating effectively with their kids.
If a child’s job is to explore and a parent’s job is to protect, becoming more knowledgeable and proficient in digital technology is essential for parents to help their children navigate the many risks and dangers of the digital world including online grooming, cyber-bullying, sexting, gaming addiction and sleep deprivation. Of course, adults are also susceptible to risks and, we have to be careful not to fall victim to “distracted parent syndrome,” when we use our own hand-held devices, for example.
I shared the story of observing a mother and her pre-teen son sitting across from one another at a local diner. She did not get off of her mobile phone the entire time. The boy did not have such a device. He just fidgeted most of the meal. It was so sad. What was he learning from her example?
Social media and digital technology are here to stay. The benefits far outweigh the dangers, but with the average kid spending 6.5 hours a day looking at screens, it’s imperative that parents learn the ins and outs, growing with their kids as we all get accustomed to this new world.
Andrew Malekoff is the executive director of North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, which provides comprehensive mental health services for children from birth through 24 and their families. Visit www.northshorechildguidance.org to find out more.
Neiman Marcus provided mentoring and lunch for teen girl clients of North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center
Neiman Marcus provided mentoring and lunch for teen girl clients of North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center. (From left) Andrew Malekoff, Doris Wilshere and Nancy Lane.
Neiman Marcus Staff Mentors Guidance Center Clients
Also donates $2,000 to our Nature Nursery
Roslyn Heights, NY, March 6, 2017 — North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center and Neiman Marcus teamed up on Friday, Feb. 24, for a luncheon and makeover event that was educational and lots of fun for nearly 20 of our teen girl clients. The girls, along with staff from the Guidance Center, were treated to a wonderful lunch as five employees of Neiman Marcus and one from Estee Lauder shared their inspirational stories that described their career paths.
The teens, along with several staff and board members from the Guidance Center, were welcomed to the lovely café at Neiman Marcus by Doris Wilshere, the store’s Vice President and General Manager, who told the girls, “Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t fulfill your dreams. You can accomplish anything!”
The concept for the mentoring initiative came from the Business Advisory Committee of the Guidance Center, which includes Board Member Linda Ugenti, who was instrumental in coordinating the effort at Neiman Marcus and was one of the six mentors at the luncheon.
“Helping children is Neiman Marcus’s top priority, so connecting them in this mentoring program with the Guidance Center was a natural,” said Ugenti, who is a selling associate at Neiman Marcus and a long-time board member of the Guidance Center.
Neiman Marcus also made a generous donation of $2,000 toward art supplies for our new Nature Nursery, located at our Marks Family Right From the Start 0-3+ Center in Manhasset, which will come in handy when our younger clients begin using the Nature Nursery in the Spring.
“Goodwill and supporting the communities surrounding our stores are two of the guiding principles of Neiman Marcus,” said Wilshire. “It was with those principles in mind that we were honored to partner with the Guidance Center. The mentorship luncheon was an amazing success. We look forward to continuing our community involvement and charitable efforts on Long Island and partnering again with the Guidance Center.”
“We are so grateful to the Neiman Marcus staff for hosting this mentoring partnership,” said Regina Barros-Rivera, Associate Executive Director at the Guidance Center. “Hearing the stories of success of the six mentors was very motivating for them, and they also had a terrific time getting their makeovers at the Estee Lauder counter.”
Executive Director Andrew Malekoff added, “We look forward to continuing and expanding this partnership with the gracious and caring staff at Neiman Marcus.”
About Us:
As the pre-eminent not-for-profit children’s mental health agency on Long Island, North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center is dedicated to restoring and strengthening the emotional well-being of children (from birth – age 24) and their families. Our highly trained staff of psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, vocational rehabilitation counselors and other mental health professionals lead the way in diagnosis, treatment, prevention, training, parent education, research and advocacy. The Guidance Center helps children and families address issues such as depression and anxiety; developmental delays; bullying; teen pregnancy; sexual abuse; teen drug and alcohol abuse; and family crises stemming from illness, death, trauma and divorce. For more than 60 years, the Guidance Center has been a place of hope and healing, providing innovative and compassionate treatment to all who enter our doors, regardless of their ability to pay. For more information about the Guidance Center, visit www.northshorechildguidance.org or call (516) 626-1971.
ABOUT NEIMAN MARCUS GROUP:
Neiman Marcus Group LTD LLC is a luxury, multi-branded, omni-channel fashion retailer conducting integrated store and online operations under the Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Last Call, Horchow, CUSP, and mytheresabrand names. For more information, visit www.neimanmarcusgroup.com.
Keep up with the latest news and events happening at Neiman Marcus by becoming a fan on Facebook, following us on Twitter, Instagram,Pinterest,Snapchat, and subscribing to Neiman Marcus theblog.
North Shore Guidance gets lobby makeover
GC resident to be honored by North Shore Child Guidance
Dan Donnelly, Captain of the Garden City Team
In the great tradition of the Davis Cup and the Ryder Cup, the new Krevat Cup will be the coveted prize. This outing will offer an amazing day of good-spirited competition in golf and tennis while raising much needed funds for the Guidance Center. Attendees will form teams comprised of representatives from Garden City, Manhasset, New York City or an East Coast team for participants outside of those areas.
“Krevat Cup” Team Captains
North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center is the pre-eminent not-for-profit children’s mental health agency on Long Island, dedicated to restoring and strengthening the emotional well-being of children (from birth – age 24) and their families.
The Guidance Center, which is headquartered in Roslyn Heights, has a long relationship with the Garden City Community. Many members of the staff and Board of Directors live in the town, and residents have benefited from the Guidance Center’s many innovative programs and services.
“I know Garden City’s spirit of competition will be in full swing,” says Donnelly. “This is going to be an outstanding event, and I’m thrilled that the Garden City community is rallying behind our team! Our goal is to raise no less than $200,000 this year, all of which goes to support the important work of the Guidance Center. Garden City is a community that gives with their heart and plays to win.”
Thus far, Garden City team members include: Caterina Asaro, Maria Balsamo, James Buser, Joseph Diprisco, John Fallon, Dino Mangione, Sean Mcentee, Mike McGowan, Peter Samaan, Tiziano Sartori, Paul Vitale, and Dave Westermann.
“We’re so grateful to Dan for serving as our honoree and captain of the Garden City team this year,” says Andrew Malekoff, Executive Director of the Guidance Center. “It’s going to be a great way to raise funds and awareness of our programs while having a terrific day at the Creek, which is one of Long Island’s finest golf courses.”
Malekoff adds, “The event is crucial to our fundraising efforts, and will help us continue to help thousands of children each year who are struggling with issues such as bullying, depression, anxiety, divorce and substance abuse. It is through the support and generosity of Garden City and other Long Island communities that we are able to continue and expand our efforts.”
For those interested in joining a team, please contact Diana Martin, dmartin@northshorechildguidance.org, 516-626- 1971, ext 309.
Run-D.M.C. Founder Darryl McDaniels Inspires Teens at Guidance Center Event
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Run-D.M.C. Founder Darryl McDaniels Inspires Teens at Guidance Center Event
Roslyn Heights, NY, March 13, 2017 — North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center’s Leeds Place was hip hop heaven last Thursday as Darryl McDaniels, the founder of Run-D.M.C., inspired a roomful of teens and adults with his stories of personal adversity and ultimate triumph.
“Darryl is a hip hop pioneer, a rap poet and an inspiring prophet,” said Andrew Malekoff, Executive Director of the Guidance Center. “The packed house got to experience all the sides of this remarkable man in a two-hour tour-de-force in which he taught us about the history of hip hop, delighted us performing rap, and moved us with intimate stories of resiliency. The audience gave him a standing ovation, which he richly deserved.”
Darryl McDaniels with Guidance Center Executive Director Andrew Malekoff
In his talk, McDaniels encouraged the young people in the audience with the transcendent and core messages of hip hop: “Always be open to doing something different. It could change your life.”
McDaniels shared not only the story of his rise to fame and fortune but his personal struggles, which included a battle with severe depression and substance abuse. “I’m no better than anyone of you sitting here,” he said. “No matter what you are battling, you can beat it. And no matter what your passion is, be it music or art or science or law or medicine, go for your dreams. Everything needed to change the world is inside you. Education is your deliverance!”
“I truly believe that Darryl’s honest, uplifting talk has changed the lives of the young people in the audience,” said Malekoff. “He spoke from the heart, and his message came across loud and clear as he told the teens ‘Anything you can dream, you can do!’”
About Us:
As the pre-eminent not-for-profit children’s mental health agency on Long Island, North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center is dedicated to restoring and strengthening the emotional well-being of children (from birth – age 24) and their families. Our highly trained staff of psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, vocational rehabilitation counselors and other mental health professionals lead the way in diagnosis, treatment, prevention, training, parent education, research and advocacy. The Guidance Center helps children and families address issues such as depression and anxiety; developmental delays; bullying; teen pregnancy; sexual abuse; teen drug and alcohol abuse; and family crises stemming from illness, death, trauma and divorce. For more than 60 years, the Guidance Center has been a place of hope and healing, providing innovative and compassionate treatment to all who enter our doors, regardless of their ability to pay. For more information about the Guidance Center, visit www.northshorechildguidance.org or call (516) 626-1971.
Bassett Furniture Transforms Guidance Center Waiting Room in “Make(over) a Difference”
Roslyn Heights, NY, March 13, 2017 — North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center is pleased to announce that on March 9, 2017, Bassett Furniture donated nearly $10,000 worth of furnishings to completely makeover our Roslyn Heights headquarters waiting room, where children and families spend time while at the Guidance Center.
“The room is absolutely beautiful,” said Andrew Malekoff, Executive Director of the Guidance Center. “It is a warm and comforting space, and it will make our visitors and clients feel welcomed and relaxed. It’s especially great for youngsters, who can play with all the toys and read books on the comfortable sofa. We are so grateful to the people at Bassett Furniture for choosing us as part of their Make(over) a Difference initiative, which shows that they care about the communities they serve.”
“Bassett Furniture is incredibly proud to be a member of the Westbury community and is committed to supporting the businesses and organizations in this area,” said Anthony Lear, Store Manager of the Garden City Bassett Home Furnishings store. “After learning about the positive impact the North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center has on children and families in this community, we knew we wanted to help this deserving organization. We were excited to donate nearly $10,000 worth of furniture and a room makeover to the waiting room of the Guidance Center, the first place a family visits when seeking help, to provide a comfortable and welcoming area for those who visit the Center. We believe that a great makeover can bring smiles, comfort, and encouragement for those who most need it.”
About Us:
As the pre-eminent not-for-profit children’s mental health agency on Long Island, North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center is dedicated to restoring and strengthening the emotional well-being of children (from birth – age 24) and their families. Our highly trained staff of psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, vocational rehabilitation counselors and other mental health professionals lead the way in diagnosis, treatment, prevention, training, parent education, research and advocacy. The Guidance Center helps children and families address issues such as depression and anxiety; developmental delays; bullying; teen pregnancy; sexual abuse; teen drug and alcohol abuse; and family crises stemming from illness, death, trauma and divorce. For more than 60 years, the Guidance Center has been a place of hope and healing, providing innovative and compassionate treatment to all who enter our doors, regardless of their ability to pay. For more information about the Guidance Center, visit www.northshorechildguidance.org or call (516) 626-1971.
About Bassett Furniture: Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq:BSET) is a leading manufacturer and marketer of high quality, mid-priced home furnishings. For more than a century, the name Bassett has defined quality without compromise, and today stands as one of America’s most iconic furniture brands. It all began in the late 1800s in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains northwest of Martinsville, Virginia. Today, Bassett remains committed to the early principles of the company: that high quality, stylish furniture should be available to everyone at an affordable price. With 90 company and licensee-owned stores, Bassett has leveraged its strong brand name in furniture into a network of corporate and licensed stores that focus on providing consumers with a friendly environment for buying furniture and accessories. For more information, visit www.bassettfurniture.com.
Neiman Marcus Staff Mentors Guidance Center Clients
Neiman Marcus Staff Mentors Guidance Center Clients
Also donates $2,000 to our Nature Nursery
Roslyn Heights, NY, March 6, 2017 — North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center and Neiman Marcus teamed up on Friday, Feb. 24, for a luncheon and makeover event that was educational and lots of fun for nearly 20 of our teen girl clients. The girls, along with staff from the Guidance Center, were treated to a wonderful lunch as five employees of Neiman Marcus and one from Estee Lauder shared their inspirational stories that described their career paths.
The teens, along with several staff and board members from the Guidance Center, were welcomed to the lovely café at Neiman Marcus by Doris Wilshere, the store’s Vice President and General Manager, who told the girls, “Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t fulfill your dreams. You can accomplish anything!”
The concept for the mentoring initiative came from the Business Advisory Committee of the Guidance Center, which includes Board Member Linda Ugenti, who was instrumental in coordinating the effort at Neiman Marcus and was one of the six mentors at the luncheon.
“Helping children is Neiman Marcus’s top priority, so connecting them in this mentoring program with the Guidance Center was a natural,” said Ugenti, who is a selling associate at Neiman Marcus and a long-time board member of the Guidance Center.
Neiman Marcus also made a generous donation of $2,000 toward art supplies for our new Nature Nursery, located at our Marks Family Right From the Start 0-3+ Center in Manhasset, which will come in handy when our younger clients begin using the Nature Nursery in the Spring.
“Goodwill and supporting the communities surrounding our stores are two of the guiding principles of Neiman Marcus,” said Wilshere. “It was with those principles in mind that we were honored to partner with the Guidance Center. The mentorship luncheon was an amazing success. We look forward to continuing our community involvement and charitable efforts on Long Island and partnering again with the Guidance Center.”
“We are so grateful to the Neiman Marcus staff for hosting this mentoring partnership,” said Regina Barros-Rivera, Associate Executive Director at the Guidance Center. “Hearing the stories of success of the six mentors was very motivating for them, and they also had a terrific time getting their makeovers at the Estee Lauder counter.”
Executive Director Andrew Malekoff added, “We look forward to continuing and expanding this partnership with the gracious and caring staff at Neiman Marcus.”
About Us:
As the pre-eminent not-for-profit children’s mental health agency on Long Island, North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center is dedicated to restoring and strengthening the emotional well-being of children (from birth – age 24) and their families. Our highly trained staff of psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, vocational rehabilitation counselors and other mental health professionals lead the way in diagnosis, treatment, prevention, training, parent education, research and advocacy. The Guidance Center helps children and families address issues such as depression and anxiety; developmental delays; bullying; teen pregnancy; sexual abuse; teen drug and alcohol abuse; and family crises stemming from illness, death, trauma and divorce. For more than 60 years, the Guidance Center has been a place of hope and healing, providing innovative and compassionate treatment to all who enter our doors, regardless of their ability to pay. For more information about the Guidance Center, visit www.northshorechildguidance.org or call (516) 626-1971.
ABOUT NEIMAN MARCUS GROUP:
Neiman Marcus Group LTD LLC is a luxury, multi-branded, omni-channel fashion retailer conducting integrated store and online operations under the Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Last Call, Horchow, CUSP, and mytheresabrand names. For more information, visit www.neimanmarcusgroup.com.
Keep up with the latest news and events happening at Neiman Marcus by becoming a fan on Facebook, following us on Twitter, Instagram,Pinterest,Snapchat, and subscribing to Neiman Marcus theblog.
Bassett Furniture to Donate Nearly $10,000 Worth of Furniture to North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center in Roslyn Heights
MEDIA ALERT:
Bassett Furniture to Donate Nearly $10,000 Worth of Furniture to North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center in Roslyn Heights
What: Bassett Furniture will have the privilege of unloading a delivery truck filled with nearly $10,000 worth of donated furniture at the North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, a not-for-profit children’s mental health agency dedicated to restoring and strengthening the emotional well-being of children and their families.
Bassett Furniture will be sprucing up the waiting room of the Guidance Center to provide a comfortable and welcoming area for the families who visit the Center. Bassett Furniture selected the North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center for this donation because of the positive impact the organization has on the local community. The Guidance Center provides various mental health and substance abuse counseling services, as well as advocacy and care coordination services, to help improve the lives of the children and families it serves.
Who: North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center staff and board members; Bassett Furniture employees and executives
When: Thursday, March 9, 2017. Delivery is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. with interviews and unloading photo/video opportunities to follow.
Where: 480 Old Westbury Road, Roslyn Heights, NY 11577
Why: This is Bassett’s eighteenth such donation and delivery since October 2013 and is part of the company’s Make(over) a Difference initiative that creates fresh living spaces for organizations that serve the communities in which Bassett operates. The local Bassett Furniture store located at 950 Old Country Road, Garden City, NY 11530 is celebrating the grand opening of its new store. Store hours are 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday – Saturday, and 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday.
For more than 60 years, North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center has been a place of hope and healing, providing innovative and compassionate treatment to all who enter its doors, regardless of their ability to pay. The Guidance Center’s staff includes professional child specialists in psychiatry, psychology, psychiatric social work, mental health counseling, alcohol and drug counseling and vocational rehabilitation, as well as a unique team of family advocates.
About Bassett Furniture: Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq:BSET) is a leading manufacturer and marketer of high quality, mid-priced home furnishings. For more than a century, the name Bassett has defined quality without compromise, and today stands as one of America’s most iconic furniture brands. It all began in the late 1800s in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains northwest of Martinsville, Virginia. Today, Bassett remains committed to the early principles of the company: that high quality, stylish furniture should be available to everyone at an affordable price. With 90 company and licensee-owned stores, Bassett has leveraged its strong brand name in furniture into a network of corporate and licensed stores that focus on providing consumers with a friendly environment for buying furniture and accessories. For more information, visit www.bassettfurniture.com.
Guidance Center Director Honored
What they’re wearing
Guidance Center Director Honored by National Council of Negro Women
Roslyn Heights, NY, Feb. 23, 2017 — North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center is proud to announce that Dr. Nellie Taylor-Walthrust, the Director of The Leeds Place, one of the Guidance Center’s three main sites, was honored by the Long Island Cross County Section of the National Council of Negro Women on February 11, 2017 at the Garden City Hotel.
She was recognized for exemplary community and professional service working with children and families that have been impacted by substance abuse.
“Dr. Taylor-Walthrust is one of the leading forces at the Guidance Center in creating and overseeing many life-saving programs, including our drug and alcohol treatment and prevention services for children, teenagers and their families,” said Andrew Malekoff, Executive Director of the Guidance Center. “She is an invaluable member of our staff and a great role model for her community.”
The National Council of Negro Women was established in 1936 by the great African-American educator and women’s advocate Mary McLeod Bethune to educate and empower African American women in their struggle to combat adversity and poverty in underserved communities.
The mission of the National Council of Negro Women is to lead, develop and advocate for women of African descent as they support their families and communities while making a lasting contribution for the integration of all people, regardless of race, creed or national origin. NCNW fulfills its mission through services and programs on issues such as health, education and economic empowerment to unite African American communities. The organization operates through approximately 200 community-based sections in 31 states with more than 25,000 members.
About Us:
As the pre-eminent not-for-profit children’s mental health agency on Long Island, North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center is dedicated to restoring and strengthening the emotional well-being of children (from birth – age 24) and their families. Our highly trained staff of psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, vocational rehabilitation counselors and other mental health professionals lead the way in diagnosis, treatment, prevention, training, parent education, research and advocacy. The Guidance Center helps children and families address issues such as depression and anxiety; developmental delays; bullying; teen pregnancy; sexual abuse; teen drug and alcohol abuse; and family crises stemming from illness, death, trauma and divorce. For more than 60 years, the Guidance Center has been a place of hope and healing, providing innovative and compassionate treatment to all who enter our doors, regardless of their ability to pay. For more information about the Guidance Center, visit www.northshorechildguidance.org or call (516) 626-1971.
Dancing with our stars
Springsteen Speaks Out Against Stigma
I recently read rock star Bruce Springsteen’s 2016 autobiography Born to Run. I have to admit: I started the book a virtual stranger. Of course I was familiar with Springsteen’s music, but mostly as background. I wasn’t a faithful fan. My only obscure connection is that I attended junior high and high school in South Orange and Maplewood, NJ with his drummer Max Weinberg.
Max and I weren’t close friends but, I would say, friendly acquaintances. I remember him telling me one day in the early 1960s that he was going to be playing drums on a UHF television show hosted by John Zacherle. On the night of the broadcast, I set up the UHF antenna on my parent’s black-and-white TV and was proud to see someone I personally knew performing on the tube. It was almost as exciting as the build up to the Beatles on Ed Sullivan.
Although I had no intention of reading Springsteen’s book, I decided to pick it up on the recommendation of a friend who knew I worked in the field of children’s mental health. At the same time I read the book, I turned my dial to E Street radio to add a sound track to my reading experience. By listening to the music I thought I could better get to know the author, who wrote extensively about his personal life in his songs.
Born to Run blends many elements of Springsteen’s life, from early family experiences to first steps as a musician to forming a band to becoming a rock star, husband and parent—and much more. But the core of the book is the enduring and troubling impact of his relationship with his father Doug. Near the end of Born to Run, Springsteen reveals a dream in which he is performing on stage. His then deceased father is sitting in the audience. Bruce approaches him in the dream and says: “Look dad…that guy on stage…that’s you, that’s how I see you.” You’ll have to read the book to have a more complete understanding what the dream represents.
As I worked my way through the book and his music, I was struck with the overwhelming feeling that it was written in its entirety in the voice of vulnerable young boy, as opposed to world-renowned rock icon. The boy has been fighting the isolation and loneliness of living with mental illness in the family his whole life and, at the same time, he has been seeking enduring and healthy relationships. And, he found them.
As much as it is a book about rising to music stardom, Born to Run is a story about debilitating depression, mental illness and adverse childhood experiences. But it’s also a story of hope. Springsteen shows that despite his most troubling childhood experiences, resilience and healing are possible. Readers owe him a debt of gratitude, not only for the decades of socially conscious and uplifting music, but for stepping beyond stigma to, in his own words, “show the reader his mind.”
I started the book a stranger; now I’m a fan.
Andrew Malekoff is the Executive Director of North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, which provides comprehensive mental health services for children from birth through 24 and their families. To find out more, visit www.northshorechildguidance.org.
Bassett Furniture Announces the Opening of New Store in Garden City, NY
BASSETT, Va., Feb. 17, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc. (BSET), a leading manufacturer and marketer of high quality, mid-priced home furnishings, today announced the opening of its new Bassett Home Furnishings store located in Garden City, N.Y., in Nassau County. Bassett currently has 90 store locations across the United States including 10 stores in the New York Market Area.
“We are excited to bring another Bassett Home Furnishings store to the New York area and we believe the market is ideal for our brand which sets the standard for providing consumers the latest on-trend furniture styles with unmatched custom capabilities, free in-home design visits, and coordinated decorating accessories,” said Robert H. Spilman Jr., Bassett Chairman and CEO. “With the opening of this store we continue to strengthen our position in New York.”
A unique lifestyle destination located in the heart of Nassau County, the 19,000 square foot Bassett Home Furnishings store offers customers complimentary decorating and design consultation. Bassett is leveraging its customization capabilities by dedicating space in the store for design solutions for dining, upholstery and bedroom. Domestic custom manufacturing capabilities make it possible for Bassett to offer quick delivery on custom products. A knowledgeable and enthusiastic team of retail professionals delivers expert information and advice to create the finest customer experience.
“We believe our products are well suited for the Greater New York market and that consumers will positively respond to the in-store experience and superior service levels that are Bassett’s hallmarks,” said Mr. Spilman.
The store, located at 950 Old Country Road, Garden City (The Gallery at Westbury Plaza), will be open seven days a week and provides customers with the opportunity to schedule private appointments with its design consultants.
Bassett is committed to supporting the local community that each store serves. During the store’s grand opening event, Bassett will donate $10,000 of furniture to North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, a pre-eminent not-for-profit children’s mental health agency dedicated to restoring and strengthening the emotional well-being of children and their families.
The most significant growth vehicle for Bassett continues to be the Company’s dedicated retail store program. Earlier this month, the Company completed the repositioning of its Scottsdale, Ariz., store to a larger, more upscale location near two high-end shopping centers. The new 16,000 square foot store, located at 15600 N. Scottsdale Road, better reflects the Bassett brand and should generate higher sales volume. Bassett plans to open an additional four or five new stores in 2017, including Culver City, Ca.; King of Prussia, Pa.; and Pittsburgh, Pa. With a track record of six consecutive years of positive same store sales growth and its focus on store productivity, the Company believes it can take its concept to new markets and consistently grow overall store count in the years to come.
For additional information, please visit www.bassettfurniture.com.
About Bassett
Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc. (BSET), is a leading manufacturer and marketer of high quality, mid-priced home furnishings. With 90 company- and licensee-owned stores, Bassett has leveraged its strong brand name in furniture into a network of corporate and licensed stores that focus on providing consumers with a friendly environment for buying furniture and accessories. The most significant growth opportunity for Bassett continues to be the Company’s dedicated retail store program. Bassett’s retail strategy includes affordable custom-built furniture that can be delivered quickly. The stores also feature the latest on-trend furniture styles, free in-home design visits, and coordinated decorating accessories. Bassett also has a traditional wholesale business with more than 700 accounts on the open market, across the United States and internationally. For more information, visit the Company’s website at bassettfurniture.com. (BSET-G)
Post-Election, It’s Time to Open Dialogue with Young People
By Andrew Malekoff
If you are a sentient being you’re well aware of the alarming degree of divisiveness that has been generated as a result of the presidential campaign. Given the growing incidence of hateful speech and action, there is a desperate need for open dialogue with young people.
I can vividly recall meeting with a therapy group for troubled teens some 25 years ago. They raised the subject of race and racism after having been exposed repeatedly to the videotaped TV footage of the Rodney King beating, which foreshadowed the current era of cell phone videos and body cams.
Rodney King was an African-American man who became widely known after being beaten by Los Angeles police officers after a high-speed car chase on March 3, 1991. A local resident witnessed the beating and videotaped it from his nearby apartment. The officers were tried in court but were found not guilty.
The two minority members of the group spoke about their own fear and “paranoia.” I listened and then told them “just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they aren’t out to get you.”
In 1968, psychiatrists William Greir and Price Cobbs noted in their book Black Rage that, for some people, a suspiciousness of one’s environment is necessary for survival.
Indeed, the phenomenon of adaptive paranoia—which recognizes real threats, not imaginary ones—is not at all uncommon to minority groups who have experienced profound prejudice historically and who now, after the brutal 2016 campaign, are more concerned than ever.
Here’s what we know for sure: Reports of hateful intimidation and harassment are on the rise since the election. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, there were more than 850 accounts of racism, Islamophobia and xenophobia between November 9 and the morning of November 14.
Recently, I posed these questions on social media: What is the emotional impact of the trickle-down divisive campaign rhetoric on the nation’s children? What signs are you seeing? What can you do? Here are two responses:
“Hispanic students are afraid to go to school because classmates bully them and tell them they are being deported.”
“Immigrant children are terrified! They are afraid their parents are going to be sent away. I think it is important to allow a space for dialogue.”
Now, more than ever, rather than squash discussion on these sensitive matters, we owe it to the young people in our lives to foster open dialogue. Noted family therapist Harry Aponte’s reflection on diversity might serve us well as a guideline. He said,
“Diversity is not about us-versus-them. And neither is it about easy agreement among different cultural, ethnic and racial groups… It is a bold, rich and complex tapestry. It has to do with being different in values, traditions and speech, and the same in human need, suffering and love. It has to do with living in separate neighborhoods, and together in the larger common community of nation. Diversity of culture, ethnicity and race gets its significance and specialness in the context of our universal identification as human beings.”
Although a better understanding and respect for cultural differences is important, we owe it to our children to reach for commonalties experienced across cultures. That is the way we will open new pathways for connection.
Bio: Andrew Malekoff is the Executive Director of North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, which provides comprehensive mental health services for children from birth through 24 and their families. To find out more, visit www.northshorechildguidance.org or find them on Facebook.
Annual Dancing With Our Stars Gala A Success
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Guidance Center event raises $400K
The North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center held its annual Dancing with Our Stars Gala on Friday, Nov. 11, 2016 at the Garden City Hotel.
The evening included a cocktail reception followed by dinner, dancing, silent and live auctions, and a performance from the center’s Dancing Stars.
More than 260 guests attended the event which raised over $400,000 to support the Guidance Center’s mental health services for children and families.
“The Guidance Center is proud of its commitment to provide essential mental health services to all children and families, regardless of their ability to pay,” said Executive Director Andrew Malekoff. “The generous support of our donors tonight helps us to maintain the highest standard and quality of care to our community.”
The lineup of Dancing Stars featured some of Long Island’s true “movers and shakers:” Matilde Broder, Power Travel; Lana Choy, Summit Associates; Pedro Davila III, Tiffany & Co; Minsun Kim, Long Island Conservatory; Fiona Lin, Liberty Land Abstract and Tina Narayan, M.D., Cohen Children’s Hospital. The Event Co-Chairs were Tracey & Seth Kupferberg and Nancy & Lew Lane. Edward C. Kline served as the auctioneer and radio and television personality Len Berman served as the event emcee, as he has for the past 5 years.
This year’s honoree was Andrew Marcell, global head of strategy at Aon Benfield Group Limited, the world’s leading reinsurance intermediary and full-service capital advisor.
A Sands Point resident, Marcell is deeply invested in children’s mental health.
His wife Carol and their three children were in attendance in support of the Guidance Center. Sponsors for the evening included: Aon Foundation, The Kupferberg Foundation, Albanese Organization, Americana Manhasset, Executive Flightways, and The Klipper Family Foundation.
When your tongue is silent only then can you hear
December 2016
By Andrew Malekoff
Living or working with teenagers can be unsettling and disorienting even when you think you have it all figured out. Teenagers will spare no time reminding you that, as an adult, you are not a part of their world.
I am reminded of a quip attributed to Mark Twain: “When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.”
Having worked with countless teenagers for more than forty years, and having raised two of them, I discovered early on that whatever world I occupied outside of their presence with my professional reputation and credentials, these meant little to the kids I worked with or for that matter, to my own kids.
Decades ago I found something that one of my sons, then about 10-years-old, wrote about me in school. The heading on the page was, “My Dad.” Naturally I read on with great anticipation and a swelling sense of self-importance. Underneath the title he wrote, “My dad is 6’1”, bald, wears glasses, and busts my chops. He likes dogs. My dad has brown eyes and brown hair, at least what’s left of it. He’s a social worker.”
The kids I’ve worked and lived with invariably drew their conclusions about me as they got to know me. In turn, I drew my conclusions about them as I got to know them, despite what might be called their credentials, that is – the often-negative labels assigned to them. It is important to recognize the difference between the way in which young people are viewed and classified by others, and their own experiences and perceptions.
Assuming a stance of uncertainty is one way of saying how important it is for us to be open and reflective, to listen intently to the kids we see only then can we think more deeply and see outside the box.
One of my colleagues, Camille Roman, tells a story about growing up in an economically deprived and chaotic family and how desperately she struggled as a teenager to be heard, and how no one was ever listening. During one particularly troubling and heated exchange at a holiday gathering Camille, whose family is from Puerto Rico, recalled, “My face apparently betrayed my fear and confusion to an elderly aunt who was secretly thought to be a witch. Tia Mercedes turned to me with her soft face and wise eyes and whispered, ‘when your tongue is silent only then can you hear.’”
Camille said, “My Tia was telling me that something else was going on here and if I didn’t get caught up in the noise then maybe I could understand and make sense of the chaos and it would be less frightening and I would not feel so powerless.” And so this powerful bit of homespun advice became a life lesson for her in her work as a social worker and, I think, a powerful insight for all of us.
Andrew Malekoff is the Executive Director of North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, which provides comprehensive mental health services for children from birth through 24 and their families. To find out more, visit www.northshorechildguidance.org.
Protecting Youth From Brain Injury
Dancers dazzle at family center gala
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Twist and Shout
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N. Shore Child raises $400k
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