Tag: Family

The Impact of Inclusion

Written by Sage Brown on May 8, 2025.

My son attended his first Mummers event in October of 2023. At the time, we went just because of his general interest in the mummers. Uptown String Band was having their annual ParklandFest, so we thought it was a perfect time for him to listen to their music live. While at the event, he enjoyed listening to their music—this was big for my son because previously he had no interest in music, and loud noises bothered him as a young child. After this event, my son started watching a YouTuber...

Focus on Light this Holiday Season

Written by Valerie Melroy on December 20, 2024.

This year, the start of Hanukkah and Christmas Day coincide, which happens approximately only every 30 years. Both of these religious holidays are special for those who celebrate them, and some people celebrate both! Let’s explore a few similarities between Hanukkah and Christmas: Hanukkah commemorates the celebration of the great miracle when a one-day supply of oil to provide light lasted eight days as the Jewish people rededicated the Temple over 2,100 years ago. Christmas remembers...

Using Communication to Drive Care: Supporting Your Loved One with a Disability in a Medical Crisis

Written by Maria Miller on August 6, 2024.

Photos of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Device sample pictures.

Supporting your loved one with communication challenges can be a daily stress: caregivers use strategies to meet basic needs, grow social skills, and encourage authentic relationships. Sustaining everyone’s mental health is also a key consideration, because when a person struggles with communication, their behavior can reflect their frustration and complicate fruitful interactions. Patience and knowledge of the person’s communication style are always necessary. During a health crisis,...

Engaging Families: The Work Continues

Written by Susan Benzie on February 8, 2022.

I am happy to announce Voice and Vision’s recent webinar What is Family Engagement? Strategies for Supporting Families and their Loved Ones in Recovery and Beyond is now available to view on our website. I was so blessed to watch it live and pleased to hear Trish Caldwell, Vice-president at Recovery Centers of America, and Kathleen Morris Rosati, the parent of a young man challenged by addiction, emphasize the need to involve family members (or others important to a person) in substance use...

Family Engagement: Joining Your Loved One on The Path to Recovery

Written by Maria Miller on January 14, 2022.

On January 20, 2022, Voice and Vision, Inc. will host What is Family Engagement?, a webinar to share the latest in best practice for family involvement in recovery. The webinar will provide an opportunity for family members and others to ask questions related to this very positive message: family engagement in recovery results in better outcomes. As evident shown in the responses to our question in the graphic above and the many family members who provided content for Help and Hope—families...

Opportunities and Great Causes Are All Around Us: It’s a Wonderful Life

Written by Michael Harper, Esq. on December 17, 2021.

I recently came across a 1957 article written by Dr. Gaylord Harnwell, then President of the University of Pennsylvania, entitled “Make the Most of Life.” The article appeared on the front page of the Philadelphia Inquirer and offered young readers advice on success and happiness in life. Dr. Harnwell declared that every life is filled with opportunities and the potential for success for we all enter into life with unique gifts, talents, and the power to choose. While people of good will are...

We Honor and Remember You

Written by Valerie Melroy on May 31, 2021.

Today we honor the men and women who died while serving in the United States Military on home or foreign soil for all of us to be safe and free. These brave soldiers throughout the years and wars paid the ultimate price for you and me. Remembering their tremendous sacrifice creates a feeling of awe and releases our deepest gratitude. When I think of the soldiers, I also think of their families for their great loss. Many men in my family served in the military, including my oldest...

The Importance of Family Involvement

Written by Amy Brower on May 7, 2021.

I recently completed an internship with Voice and Vision, which has been such an incredibly insightful and rewarding experience. I had the privilege of working alongside intelligent and compassionate individuals throughout my time with this agency. I acquired more knowledge and perspective about mental health and substance use disorder than I ever thought possible as a first-year intern. The following blog is written to share what I have learned throughout this past year regarding...

Things Are Changing

Written by Kathryn Lerro on January 11, 2019.

Things are Changing. Returning to South Philly was never my dream, but living next door to Bill’s aunts, quite unexpectedly, made being here worthwhile. After moving in, I quickly realized that if Bill and I weren’t here, Aunt Ginny and Aunt “Bo” (the nickname Bill gave her because, as a toddler, he couldn’t say “Dolores”) probably wouldn’t be able to continue living independently. Not that the things we do for them are huge or heroic, but we are there for the little day-to-day...

The 4th in Philly

Written by Kathryn Lerro on July 6, 2018.

We raced down the subway steps with only ten minutes to spare. We had to catch a train to City Hall, and then walk to the Ben Franklin Parkway, where we were meeting family for the fireworks display. I couldn’t believe my husband actually agreed to go. The only other time we had gone to see fireworks there had been such a disappointment. It happened in 2011—it was our first 4th of July in Philly after having lived away for more than 20 years while Bill served in the military. We got to the...

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