Smart Talk

Shelby Witmer, a seasoned family and child services worker with over 25 years of experience in education, recently addressed the critical issue of how poor mental health contributes to the school-to-prison pipeline. Witmer emphasized the need for new systems to support vulnerable and misunderstood children. With a strong focus on mental health advocacy and creating trauma-informed communities, she highlighted the work of Mental Health America of Lancaster County (MHALC). At MHALC, the commitment to helping individuals achieve mental well-being is paramount. The organization advocates for a holistic approach to health, emphasizing the importance of nurturing the mind, body, and spirit. While many people focus on physical health through diet and exercise and spiritual health through personal beliefs, mental health often remains neglected. Witmer pointed out that neglecting mental health undermines the ability to achieve one’s full potential. MHALC’s mission is to promote optimal mental health through advocacy,

The immensely talented spoken word artist Thunda Khatt recently stopped by to share insights into her creative world and discuss her latest endeavor, THUNDA N MIMOSAS 'Men Have Feelings Too.' This dynamic and captivating poetry showcase is set to take place at the renowned Zoetropolis Theatre in Lancaster, promising to be a highlight of the local arts scene. During her visit, Thunda Khatt delved into the inspiration and passion driving this event, offering a glimpse into what attendees can expect from this compelling experience. Scheduled for June 9th, MEN HAVE FEELINGS TOO is a poetry showcase dedicated to shedding light on the emotional experiences and vulnerabilities of men. This event aims to create a thought-provoking dialogue about masculinity and the often-overlooked topic of men handling their emotions. By bringing these issues to the forefront, Thunda Khatt hopes to foster a deeper understanding and empathy within the community. The MEN HAVE FEELINGS TOO showcase is a special edition of the popular

  Horticulturalist Erica Jo Shaffer was on The Spark Thursday at the height of the growing season with gardening tips. May can be the best late spring month but there’s a lot of do to keep the plants, flowers, trees and garden healthy and thriving. We’ve had a lot of rain this month so how does it affect the garden, what fertilizers are the most effective that are also environmentally friendly, how the insects in the garden – some are bad but others are essential. Are you feeding birds or even hummingbirds this spring? These are all topics Erica addressed on the program.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Juneteenth approaches, YPOC (Young Professionals of Color) is gearing up for an unforgettable celebration that promises to empower Black and Brown professionals and communities. The Juneteenth HBG event is a vibrant extension of YPOC's mission to create lasting change by focusing on emancipatory advancement and reinvesting economic resources back into the community. Slated for June 2024, Juneteenth HBG will bring together community leaders, business owners, entrepreneurs, and organizations across Central Pennsylvania in a powerful show of solidarity and support. YPOC is calling on these leaders to contribute generously and participate actively, ensuring the event's success and sustainability. "Juneteenth HBG is more than just a celebration; it’s a call to action," said Anna White from YPOC. "We aim to unite the community in a shared vision of progress and economic empowerment. By coming together, we can drive impactful change and honor the legacy of Juneteenth in a meaningful way." One of the highlights of

  Pennsylvania has a shortage of teachers. More than 2,100 teaching positions were vacant in the state as of October, according to newly released state data — and almost a quarter of those spots were filled not with full-time teachers, but with long-term substitutes. Some who produced the report called it a crisis.Dr. Edward Fuller, a Professor of Education in the Education Policy Studies Department at Penn State University worked on the report and was on The Spark Wednesday. Fuller indicated that not all school districts are having trouble hiring enough teachers. He pointed to Philadelphia and the rural school districts between Harrisburg and State College as areas where the teacher shortage is most pronounced. Fuller said suburban districts, especially in eastern Pennsylvania, are experiencing the shortage as much as some others. Fuller said the districts having the most critical teacher needs are often the ones that are classified as poorer districts and not getting funding from Harrisburg to meet the need

  May is Mental Health Awareness Month, but quite frankly more Americans are aware of their mental health – especially since the COVID pandemic. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, one in five American adults has experienced a mental health challenge, and one in 20 Americans live with a serious mental illness such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or severe depression. Those statistics may not tell the whole story. There seem to be more people who are suffering from depression and other mental illnesses or experiencing episodes of poor mental health since the pandemic. However, there are barriers to seeking help in the form of therapy or other treatments. One of the biggest is access to trained mental health professionals. There simply aren’t enough to keep up with the demand. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed a bill earlier this spring that could make more therapists and counselors available. Joining us on The Spark Tuesday to talk about mental health and access to treatm

A recent study by the ACLU of Pennsylvania has unveiled significant racial disparities in the assignment of cash bail among accused individuals. The research highlights that 55% of Black defendants are assigned cash bail, compared to only 39% of white defendants. Additionally, Black defendants face higher bail amounts, with their average bail set nearly $13,000 more than that of their white counterparts. This troubling pattern is consistent across all 67 counties in Pennsylvania, indicating a widespread issue within the state's judicial system. The study underscores the severe repercussions of even short-term pretrial detention. Individuals who spend just a few days in jail can experience life-altering consequences, such as job loss, deprivation of necessary medical care, loss of child custody, and even homelessness. Moreover, the study points to the broader societal impacts of pretrial detention and cash bail. Detained individuals are more likely to be convicted and receive longer sentences. The misuse and o

  The story of Robinson Crusoe, published in 1719, is the most famous tale of a castaway. But Daniel Dafoe’s Robinson Crusoe was a work of fiction. Best-selling author Eric Jay Dolin’s new book recounts the true story of five castaways in the Falkland Islands during the War of 1812. It’s called Left for Dead – Shipwreck, Treachery and Survival at the Edge of the World. The story that Dolin tells is one of incredible survival in the harshest of conditions. The book's publicist provides a good description: "Set against the backdrop of wartime conflicts, Dolin's narrative weaves a compelling saga of a chance encounter between an American sealing vessel, a shipwrecked British brig, and a British warship. Misunderstandings and mistrust led to the abandonment of three British sailors and two Americans, including Charles H. Barnard, the captain of the sealer, in the unforgiving terrain of the Falklands for a harrowing eighteen months. Left for Dead is a tale that unravels with intriguing complexity, offering surpris

Coming up on this week's edition of The Spark Weekly, The number of people who are food insecure is increasing and Penn State Health has a program to help.  Also on the program, mental health professionals will join us to discuss advances in mental health services.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National Prevention Week, observed from May 12-18, 2024, serves as a vital public education platform dedicated to preventing substance use and promoting positive mental health. This annual event engages communities across the country in raising awareness about substance misuse and mental health issues, showcasing the effectiveness of evidence-based prevention programs. By involving communities, National Prevention Week highlights the importance of implementing strategies that address these critical public health concerns. One of the primary purposes of National Prevention Week is to foster partnerships and collaborations with federal agencies and national organizations committed to improving public health. These collaborations enhance the dissemination of quality prevention resources and publications, ensuring that effective strategies reach those in need. The event underscores the significance of community involvement in addressing substance misuse and promoting mental well-being. Eric Kennel, the executive

Fresh from competing in the 2024 Senior Games at Spooky Nook Sports Complex, Sally Winchell and her group of Iron Mustangs returned home with a collection of well-deserved hardware. The team, composed of women aged 55 and older, made a significant impact not only through their victories but also by inspiring their fellow competitors with their dedication and strength. Today, on WITF's The Spark, Sally Winchell and the Iron Mustangs joined Marquis Lupton to discuss their journey, preparation, and motivations behind embracing powerlifting later in life. The Iron Mustangs, a formidable team of senior powerlifters, showcased their remarkable abilities at the Senior Games, held at the sprawling Spooky Nook Sports Complex. Their success is not merely measured by the medals they won, but by the barriers they broke and the stereotypes they shattered about aging and athleticism. Sally Winchell, the spirited leader of the Iron Mustangs, spearheaded the team’s efforts. Among the many highlights, perhaps the most impress

In 2010, Humankind founder TJ Foltz experienced a profound calling to address the global need for clean drinking water. This mission was sparked by an overseas trip where he witnessed children forced to drink unclean water due to a lack of resources. Since then, TJ has dedicated his life to providing hope and clean drinking water to those in need. The pivotal moment came during a trip to a remote village where Foltz saw firsthand the devastating effects of contaminated water. Children, their faces etched with hardship, were consuming water from a polluted source, leading to widespread illness and despair. This harrowing experience ignited a deep-seated resolve in Foltz to make a tangible difference. Determined to turn his vision into reality, Foltz founded Humankind with a singular mission: to provide sustainable, clean drinking water to underserved communities worldwide. Under his leadership, Humankind has embarked on numerous projects, installing water filtration systems, drilling wells, and educating commu

  Ever hear that a woman has been described as glowing when she is pregnant? It is a time when most women are happy and excited when they’re expecting or even after they just delivered. But for some women, it’s a struggle because they don’t have access to good prenatal care or nutritious food when they’re pregnant. They’re two of the most important contributors to the mother’s health, but especially the baby’s health. Prenatal care and eating a nutritious diet can have a lifelong impact on the health of the baby. Fortunately, there are programs to help expectant or new mothers. WIC or Women Infants and Children is one of the most successful that has provided nutritious food, breastfeeding resources and other services to millions of women across the country for the past 50 years. With us to discuss the WIC program and other services for families in need on The Spark Thursday were Sally Zubairu-Cofield, Pennsylvania’s WIC Director and Robin Rohrbaugh, President and CEO of the Community Progress Council. Zubrair

May 16th, marks Mental Health Action Day, a significant initiative aimed at shifting the focus of mental health culture from mere awareness to concrete action. This day serves as a vital reminder of the ongoing mental health crisis and the need for proactive steps to address it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that more than one in five adults live with a form of mental illness. Alarmingly, over 20% of youth aged 13 to 18 have experienced a serious, debilitating mental illness at some point in their lives. These statistics underscore the urgent need for effective mental health interventions and resources. In recognition of Mental Health Action Day, The Spark invited two distinguished mental health specialists to provide deeper insights into the multifaceted issue of mental health, Dr. Matthew Hurford, President and CEO of UPMC’s Community Care Behavioral Health, and Professor Jihan Owens-Tyler, a psychotherapist and counselor at Elizabethtown College. Professor Owens-Tyler brings

  Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia, along with the federal government entered into an agreement in 1983 to clean up the Chesapeake Bay. The states of Delaware, New York and West Virginia joined the partnership years later. During the past 41 years, strategies and plans have been implemented to reduce pollution and restore the health of the Bay. Some have been successful while others have fallen short of their goals. Next year – 2025 – was set as a deadline to meet several of those goals in the restoration plans. It has the states and the federal government thinking about what comes next. The pollution in the form of nutrients came from wastewater, agricultural practices and storm water runoffs from sources like parking lots, streets and chemicals on lawns. Harry Campbell, Director of Science Policy and Advocacy with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Pennsylvania, was on The Spark Wednesday and talked about the goals for Pennsylvania,"We agreed to a reduction of pollution in the form

UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, has been honored for its outstanding efforts in supporting Black maternal health by U.S. News & World Report. Notably, it is the sole hospital in Pennsylvania to receive this prestigious recognition, underscoring its commitment to health equity and positive birthing experiences for vulnerable populations, particularly pregnant people of color. This recognition stems from the U.S. News' comprehensive analysis of high-performing maternity care hospitals across the United States. In December 2023, UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital was highlighted among a select group of 26 hospitals nationwide for achieving exceptional outcomes in cesarean sections and unexpected newborn complications among Black patients. On The Spark we spoke with Dr. Sharee Livingston of UPMC who stated that, at the core of UPMC Magee-Womens' success is its holistic approach involving providers, nurses, hospital staff, and community members. She states that together, they strive to address and mitigate health disparit

  Some 1.7 million Pennsylvania are food insecure. Many areas of the state are considered food deserts – meaning grocery stores aren’t close by or there isn’t access to healthy food. This is an issue we’ve talked about many times over the years on The Spark, because it continues to exist and if anything, the problem has gotten worse between the COVID pandemic and rising prices on food. Access to healthy food can be an event bigger challenge. With that in mind, Penn State Health is partnering with more than one hundred organizations with a unique approach to providing healthy food to those in need. With us on The Spark Tuesday were Ashley Visco, Community Health Director at Penn State Health and Zachary Zook, Senior Policy Research Manager at the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank. Zook indicated there are more people who are food insecure than just a few years ago,"Relative to 2021 and the most recent data that we have available, nationally and in Pennsylvania is in 2022 -- food insecurity increased by more than

  When motorists stop to buy gasoline for their vehicles, it’s almost always at a business that doubles as a convenience store, whose main sales priority is often their food menus. And the driver is almost always pumping their own gas. It didn’t used to be that way. Service stations were just that – the place to go to have an attendant pump gas, check the oil in a car, clean the windshield and doubled as the garage where a mechanic repaired or maintained cars. A new book remembers a time when gas stations were often the center of activity in a town and the attendants became familiar and friends. The Lost Service Stations of Central Pennsylvania is co-authored by Jimmy Rosen, who was with us on The Spark Monday, who talked about the nostalgia for gas stations,"back in the early days of full service, it was the focal point of neighborhoods. You, you you knew your mechanic, you knew your local service station, you trusted them, and you hung out there. Guys hung out there with their cars. They fixed their cars. A

Jennifer Hassel's captivating memoir, "Bad Ass Grief," recounts her remarkable odyssey of honoring her late husband's memory through audacious feats and profound self-discovery. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A major milestone in the clean-up of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore is scheduled for Monday afternoon after being postponed over the weekend. Explosives will be used to clear eight to 12 million pounds of the collapsed bridge from the front of the container ship, Dali. To get an update on the story, The Spark turned to Robert Lang, an award-winning anchor reporter with WBAL News Radio and longtime radio and TV journalist in Pennsylvania.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.