PHOTOS BY SANDY ARENA

It was Christmas 2007. I had met up with our twins at a Christmas party my 501C3, faith-based dance studio had hosted for mothers in need and their children. They had walked into the party with their younger cousin Shakur and their older sister Jhyni, and I noticed them right away through the crowds, noise and the festivities. My heart beat a little faster and I couldn’t take my eyes off them.Continue reading

I am sure we can all agree a parent’s worst nightmare is losing a child. Christopher Folk Esq, an Assistant District Attorney of Seneca County and Town Justice and his wife Tiffany (Seneca County’s Republican Election Commissioner) experienced this nightmare first-hand when their 18-year-old son Tristian committed suicide. Tristian was very involved in his community.Continue reading

This October, our entire community felt the ripple effect of domestic violence as an active shooter led police on a car chase across the city, targeting his family. Schools were put on lockout, parents panicked, neighbors heard shots fired close to their homes, and we all felt the danger of domestic violence. Continue reading

This month’s story comes from one of my students. This client came to me at a point in her life where she wanted advice and a chance to make her life better. In talking with her, I found a woman who had just awakened to find she was in a situation that had developed over a long period of time. She was frustrated but knew she needed to change her life for the better. I’ll let her tell it: (name changed to protect her identity) My name is Kara and I survived an abusive husband.Continue reading

PHOTOS BY SARAH SALVILLA

Inclusion Wellness Spa is the first completely accessible all-inclusive wellness spa where individuals can attend regardless of their abilities. This spa is designed to accommodate all guests from able bodied. Inclusion wellness spa is a first in the nation spa specifically tailored to accommodate and include everyone, thus the name Inclusion. Continue reading