Blog | H.O.P.E Center

HOPE for Love

Happy February HOPE Center family! It is the season of love so as you go about your daily commute, go as though you are love embodied. What could that possibly mean? Love is such an abstract concept so it can mean something different for everyone. Some forms of love that …

HOPE for the Holidays

December is here and celebrates the holidays such as Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Hanukkah. The holidays are a wonderful time for community, reflection, and love. It is a time of festivities for all things merry and bright, so we naturally reminisce during this time about childhood memories and moments of joy. For …

The Season of Giving

November welcomes the season of giving. This November, we celebrate those who take care of their family members. Caregiving is a role that many people take on for others. It is a great honor to be of service to someone else and support those in our lives. People of all …

Public Policy’s Effect on Mental Health

By James Peele Public policy has a direct effect on many different aspects of life in so many different ways. When policy is established in any given entity, it then becomes the reality that is governed for the people residing in this area. These policies can affect housing, jurisdictional practices, …

Therapeutic Benefits of Music

By Kai Greene, Clinical Intern In 2002’s hit movie, Brown Sugar starring Sanaa Lathan, one of the most memorable lines was, “When did you fall in love with hip hop?” However, in this blog, I will be asking when music has provided a moment of relief, comfort, or clarity in …

Q and A with Monroe Howard

Monroe Howard-Shackelford is a Licensed Therapist, motivational speaker and educator best known for his work as a life coach and advocate for mental health awareness. Monroe has translated his passion for education into a career spanning more than 15 years that has increased learning opportunities for students in both New …

Self- Care

May is the month of self-care at HOPE Center Harlem and to honor that this month, we have an interview with mental health and self-care advocate Minaa B who shares with us her journey to social work and how she practices self-care. She is a writer, therapist, wellness coach, mental …

April is National Month of HOPE

April is the month of hope, and of course at The Hope Center Harlem, we strive to create an environment filled with hope in our present and our future. So, what does hope mean to me? Hope is believing in yourself and believing that you are worthy and deserving of …

My Journey to Social Work

My journey to social work wasn’t inspired by a single “aha” moment, but rather a series of life events that made me realize I cared deeply about people and their well-being. I have always been interested in the human brain and psychology, but what drew me to social work over …

Breathing Exercises for Relaxation & Stress Management

Take a deep breath in. Now let it out. You may notice a difference in how you feel already. Your breath is a powerful tool to ease stress and make you feel less anxious. Some simple breathing exercises can make a big difference if you make them part of your regular routine. …

Can a Psychiatric Research Project Further Mental Health Education in Harlem?Article Reposted from The Eye – The Columbia Spectator By Victoria Li Dr. Sidney Hankerson sits in a circle with reverends, pastors, social workers, public health professors, clinical doctors, and government officials from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Everyone …

When Religion Leads to Trauma

By Richard Schiffman Feb. 5, 2019 Reposted from the NY Times. “We think of church as a place of healing and transformation, and it is,” says Michael Walrond Jr., pastor of the First Corinthian Baptist Church in Harlem. But for some, he says, “religion has been more bruising and damaging than …

COVID FATIGUE IT’S REAL

By Makeba Royall The uplifting energy, the hopeful thinking, the positive mindset it’s fading me. Being in fight or flight mode for the past year and a half has been draining, downright daunting and arduous. Operating and functioning for self and showing up for others during this time period has …

Dealing with the Holiday Blues

Not feeling particularly cheery this time of year? You’re not alone. Many find that the holidays bring as much stress as they do joy. You may also feel stressed, sad or anxious because your holiday plans may look different during COVID. However, there are ways to ease through the season.

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