May 2019
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IN A MANOR OF SPEAKING
A TRUE STATEN ISLAND HERO Jackie Filis on Addiction Treatment for Staten Islanders
make all the difference in the world. Providing families and the community with tools to support those in need is an essential component of what we do. Another aspect of our work is battling the stigma associated with addiction. We’ve come far in this regard, too, but we still have plenty to do. Decades ago, it was common to characterize addiction as a personal failing, but we now know that’s not the case. We need to come to terms with the fact that addiction is a disease like any other, not a sign of weakness or lack of willpower. The more we, individually and as a community, can accept and understand the disease concept, the better equipped we will be to respond if we are confronted with this in our lives or the lives of our loved ones. My personal journey at the YMCA Counseling Service started 19 years ago. I was an undergrad studying psychology and criminal justice at the time. Seeing the positive effects that counseling and our agency had on people in our community inspired me to continue down this path. I pursued a master’s in social work and haven’t looked back since. Yes, my job requires me to deal with a lot of hardship and heartache, but there’s also plenty of triumph to go along with it. Helping to battle substance abuse is a mission that never stops being rewarding. Every person that walks through the door is a win in the battle. As a member of this community, I want to see every Staten Islander thriving. We’ll keep working to ensure that if someone in our community is struggling, we will be there to help them take steps on their recovery journey. Help is available in our community. Treatment works, and recovery is possible.
Normally, we like to use this space to highlight the work of local people with whom we collaborate. This month, however, we’re featuring somebody we have no professional relationship with. That may seem like an odd choice, but the work that Jackie Filis does makes a huge impact on the lives of all Staten Islanders. As executive director of the Staten Island YMCA Counseling Services, Jackie is on the front lines helping battle substance abuse in our community. It’s a national problem, but one that benefits from local, grassroots efforts. That’s why the work Jackie and her colleagues do is so beneficial to our community. We’re honored to share the island with people like Jackie and proud to give her a chance to tell her story to our readers. Take it away, Jackie. Statistics demonstrate that nearly everyone reading this newsletter will have been touched by addiction and substance abuse in one way or another. Whether or not you’ve ever struggled with substance misuse yourself, you probably know somebody close to you who has. We’ve come a long way in terms of how we understand and talk about these troubles, but we still have a long way to go. In my work with the YMCA Counseling Service, I hope to help give people the tools to talk about addiction in a way that’s both honest and productive. At the YMCA, we don’t just provide outpatient treatment, counseling, and recovery services for those battling with substance misuse, but we also offer services for those who have loved ones dealing with these struggles. Addiction affects the entire family, and recovery is strongest when families recover together. This inclusive approach is crucial for increasing success as well as awareness about the issue. Many people don’t understand how to effectively and compassionately support somebody suffering from addiction. The way loved ones and family members approach somebody struggling can
If you or somebody you love is struggling with substance abuse, you can call the Staten Island YMCA Counseling Service at (718) 948-3232. –Jacqueline Filis
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LEARNING TO BE GRATEFUL Some Ways to Help Children Appreciate Their Teachers A HOMEMADE MEAL Making a homemade meal (or dessert) shows teachers that you went the extra mile to appreciate their hard work. You could make a favorite dish of yours or try to find a new recipe online. Either way, encourage your child to help you with the process so that the meal is truly a gift from both of you. DONATING SCHOOL SUPPLIES Many teachers use their own money to buy school supplies for their classroom. This is just one of the ways teachers go above and beyond on a daily basis, and buying some extra school supplies can help ease that cost. Take your child shopping with you and help them pick out supplies that you know their teacher will appreciate. Your children spend several hours a day with their teachers, so fostering relationships with them is vital. Use this day to help your children understand the importance of teachers, to teach them the power of gratitude, and to encourage them to show respect for everyone who helps them in life.
Teacher Appreciation Week runs from May 6–10 this year, and there are plenty of ways students of all ages can thank their educators for everything they do. Being a teacher isn’t an easy job, and the people who make it their profession are passionate about helping kids learn. Depending on how old your child is, they may need a parent’s help in showing their appreciation. Here are a few ways parents and children can appreciate teachers together. THANK-YOU NOTES This gesture is simple and sweet and can be very thoughtful. Telling a teacher what makes them outstanding can often be just as valuable as a gift. Help your child write an appreciative note and then write one yourself. Teachers often have to maintain the happiness of students, administrators, and parents. Your card could relieve some of the stress of that balancing act and let them know that you acknowledge their efforts.
THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU STEAL A PROTECTED ANIMAL Animal Theft and Trespassing Don’t Go Unnoticed
weren’t quite over. He was chased out of the canal by what onlookers believe was a shark, only to be chased back in by a surprised dog. Fortunately, concerned passers-by called authorities, and SeaWorld workers came to rescue Dirk and bring him back to his family. Dirk returned unharmed to his partner, Peaches, but his kidnappers weren’t so lucky. Once a Facebook post recounting their misdeeds made its rounds, police traced the crime back to the two Welshmen. They were charged with trespassing, stealing, and keeping a protected animal, and there was no shortage of public shaming as their crime circulated the internet. Taking note of their letter of apology and admissions of guilt and regret, the judge enforced a heavy fine for the crime in lieu of jail time. Charges for kidnapping a protected animal vary from state to state, but the Endangered Species Act ensures perpetrators face harsh penalties, including fines and maximum sentences. The Animal Legal Defense Fund also provides free legal assistance and training to help protect animals from harm.
You wake up slowly, still groggy from a raucous night out with your friends. As you look around, taking stock of your surroundings, you see the other inhabitants: a desk, your shoes, a penguin … a penguin?! While footage confirms that two young Welshmen stole Dirk the penguin from his SeaWorld Australia home, the men had little memory of the night’s misadventures the next morning — until they saw Dirk waddling around their rented apartment. The night before, after imbibing a hefty amount during their vacation in Australia, the men got the harebrained idea to break into SeaWorld and swim with the dolphins. After getting inside, video footage captured them stripping down to their skivvies and running around the facility — until they spotted the penguin enclosure. “Look at them!” one said. Distracted from their original plan, they made their way to the penguins, grabbed one, and left. Dirk, the 7-year-old fairy penguin (the smallest species of penguin), was bred in captivity and had never left his enclosure. The next morning, realizing what they’d done, the three young men panicked and released Dirk into a nearby canal. But Dirk’s misfortunes
Be careful on your next night out, and please, enjoy wildlife without stealing it!
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LEAVE IT TO A BEAVER?! WHERE PETS BELONG IN AN ESTATE PLAN
When you type “Leona Helmsley” into Google, you may be surprised to see “dog” at the top of the autocomplete list. While Helmsley was the “Queen of Mean” and an immensely successful hotelier, she’s now known as the woman who left $12 million of her estate to Trouble, her Maltese dog. Most of us won’t have $12 million to give to anybody, let alone a pet, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider estate planning options for your nonhuman loved ones. Most pet owners regard their four-legged friends as real members of their families. It makes sense, then, that we consider them during the estate planning process. Of course, dogs and cats don’t have exceedingly long life expectancies. But if you welcomed a critter into your family later in life, you may want to plan what will happen to them when you’re gone, especially if you live alone. Owners of pets with longer lives, like horses or parrots, should definitely give pet-related estate planning serious thought.
You can designate a caretaker for your pets in your last will and testament, just as you would for children. You may also create a pet trust to allocate funds specifically for the care of your animals. Pet care can be expensive, particularly for larger animals, and it’s unfair to place an undue financial burden on your pet’s caretaker. Setting money aside ensures your pet receives the treatment you would’ve wanted for them. You should also
be certain that you select a caretaker who has the time, resources, and desire to provide a good life for the animal(s). Nobody wants to be surprised with a horse they don’t have proper space for. If you need help with any aspect of estate planning, whether it involves animals or not, call our office today.
SHRIMP SAUSAGE SKEWERS MICHELE’S RECIPE CORNER
take a break
INGREDIENTS
• 1/2 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined • 1/2 pound cooked sausage, cut into 1-inch pieces • 2 zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch cubes • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil • Wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
Creole Seasoning Ingredients • 2 tablespoons paprika • 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder • 1/2 tablespoon onion powder • 1/2 tablespoon cayenne or chili powder • 1/4 tablespoon dried oregano • 1/4 tablespoon dried thyme
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat your grill to medium-high. 2. In a bowl, combine all ingredients for creole seasoning. 3. In a large bowl, combine the shrimp, zucchini pieces, and sausage pieces, and cover them with the olive oil. 4. Add creole seasoning and mix well until all ingredients are covered. 5. Load up skewers with alternating pieces of shrimp, sausage, and zucchini until they’re full. 6. Grill skewers until shrimp are well-cooked (6–8 minutes).
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718-698-2200 | realestateplanninglaw.com WE KEEP YOU ON THE RIGHT PATH
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
An Angel in Our Community Teacher Appreciation Week Is Here! The Price You Pay for Stealing a Penguin Estate Planning for Your Pets Shrimp Sausage Skewers Genealogy Sites Provide Breakthroughs in Cold Cases
GENEALOGY SITES AND THE WARMING OF COLD CASES The Revolution in Forensic Science Continues to Captivate the Masses
We’ve come a long way in the field of forensic science since 1986, when DNA was first used to convict someone in court. In 2019, criminals who would have gotten away with their crimes in the past are now put behind bars where they belong. The advent of genealogy testing has been thrust into the spotlight with high-profile cases that were solved by sequestering information from sites like 23andMe and Ancestry. com. With this revolution in DNA testing on the rise, there’s really no end to the impossible-to-solve cold cases that can finally be put to rest. Whatever the motivation was behind genealogy sites in the beginning, they’re now some of the most sought-after databases in the world and are worth billions for their collection of the most personal consumer data in existence. Using these websites’ data, investigators can make
DNA matches with potential offenders. The most famous recent case is the successful apprehension of Joseph James DeAngelo, otherwise known as the Golden State Killer. After 13 murders and dozens of assaults, he was finally brought to justice after investigators matched his DNA to the evidence found at the crime scenes. They gained access to his DNA from the personal genomics site GEDmatch. Although access to the data of popular sites like 23andMe and Ancestry. com is restricted to its customers, law enforcement agencies successfully subpoenaed the companies to hand over the requested data. With the ability to theoretically solve any crime with preserved DNA, law enforcement and websleuths alike are foaming at the mouth at the possibilities genealogy testing has to offer. If only we’d preserved some of Jack the Ripper’s DNA!
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