Page 4 • Wednesday , November 9 , 2016 • The Hammonton Gazette
Allies in Caring helps people in need in the community
ALLIES , from Page 1 just all the struggles and also knowing that when we get help that we can really thrive in the midst of all the challenges that we experience ,” Guillermo-McGahee said .
Guillermo-McGahee came to the United States in 2004 on a scholarship to complete her Master ’ s Degree in Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in deaf studies at Gallaudet University in Washington , D . C . Her ultimate goal through her work has been to show people that they all have resources and skills within them that can help them become contributing members of society , no matter what limitations or disabilities they can have . With a little professional help , those skills can be tapped .
“ everybody , no matter if you have a disability or a mental health condition — any condition — everybody has something to contribute to their communities . Our job is to help them connect with those skills and those abilities so that they can become contributing members of the community here ,” Guillermo-Mc- Gahee said .
Guillermo-McGahee founded Allies in Caring , located at 425 N . Third St ., in 2007 and as a partner of the Department of Children and Families has specialized in working with the local youth in crisis intervention . Guillermo-McGahee said crisis is a good opportunity to assess the root of a problem a family may be having and figure out a long-term solution .
“ Most of the times when there is a crisis , there is a sign of something else going on . Crisis is also a great opportunity because that ’ s when we wake up and we realize that our life is a mess and we are not going in the right direction ... That also is a time where families are ready for change , and we help them identify , ‘ What are the strengths that they have ? How do they want to live ? What do they want for themselves and what is it that is not working ?’— And then we help them see other ways that they can get their needs or their wants met in ways that are more effective and professional ,” Guillermo-McGahee said .
Guillermo-McGahee ’ s work was recognized in a big way on October 12 when she received $ 100,000 in grant money from the Center for Hispanic Policy Research and Development . Hispanic people are a large
Police dept . investigates theft from mailbox
by Gabe Donio
GAzeTTe STAFF WRITeR
HAMMONTON — Police are investigating an alleged theft from a mailbox on N . Second Road that was reported to police at 12:27 p . m . on October 28 , Hammonton Police Lt . Kevin Friel said in a report .
“ Police responded to the 500 block of N . Second Road in reference to a theft from a mailbox . The complainant reported that an older model VW Jetta pulled up to the mailbox and removed mail containing a check ,” Friel said in the report .
Anyone with information in reference to the incident should contact the Hammonton Police Department ’ s Detective Bureau at 561-4000 .
percentage of Guillermo-McGahee ’ s clientele and often are the victims in the crises she observes . The grant money will allow her to better fund two of Allies in Caring ’ s projects that help the Hispanic community : CuidArte and Workforce Development .
CuidArte , or “ self-care ,” is a project Allies and Caring will implement for its second year . The project has been implemented in Hammonton High School and Middle School with the help of the Hammonton Family Success Center . It is a 10-week program that teaches children youth , social and emotional skills , teaches the parents parenting skills and also involves the schools ’ teachers in the process .
Guillermo-McGahee said the main focus of CuidArte is to teach families the impacts of trauma , which many immigrants face and don ’ t always have the resources to properly handle .
“ A lot of immigrants experience trauma , just from leaving their country . Sometimes , they leave their country because they are facing poverty or violence , and they are forced into leaving their country because there is no other resource for them . Many , when they are coming into this country , they also face traumatic experiences … When they are here , a lot of them also experience discrimination , hostility , and so , there ’ s a lot trauma in these families and a very important component of our work is to help them understand and resolve their trauma ,” Guillermo-McGahee said .
Allies in Caring uses a twoheaded approach to treat this trauma with a second program called Workforce Development , which helps address the lack of Spanish-speaking mental healthcare professionals . Guillermo-Mc- Gahee said many Hispanics don ’ t receive the mental healthcare treatment they need because of the language and culture gap between patient and provider .
“ There are studies that show when people are with someone that looks like them and understands the culture of communicating the language , they are more likely to seek and receive help … Our commitment with this grant is to train new professionals to provide mental health services ” Guillermo-McGahee said .
Guillermo-McGahee is very grateful for the aid her organization has received , noting that there is a definite need for these services in southern New Jersey , a region that is sometimes neglected from this kind of aid for mental health services . However , with these grants , she believes a great opportunity will come to provide the community of Hammonton with the services that many are struggling without .
“ I feel very happy for us , for the community ... Most of these grants always go to North Jersey . North Jersey has a lot of agencies already , and so … it ’ s a big deal for South Jersey to have that support . Families inside the United States are struggling to receive services , so it ’ s a great opportunity , I think , for Hammonton . Hammonton is a community that has so much going on ,” Guillermo-McGahee said .
For more information on Allies in Caring or to inquire about helping out with Guillermo-McGahee ’ s cause , call 561-8400 or visit www . alliesincaring . org .
3 arrested for trespassing
by Gabe Donio
GAzeTTe STAFF WRITeR
HAMMONTON — Police were dispatched to the prime block of Sherry Lane at 1:03 a . m . on November 1 in reference to trespassing , a report by Hammonton Police Lt . Kevin Friel said . The complainant stated that there was a pickup truck in the area posted , the report said . According to the report , three subjects were observed in the area by police .
Jason Baldino , 40 , of Winslow Twp ., Kent Bogan , 43 , of Williamstown , and Marco Gali , 40 , of Hammonton , were arrested and charged with defiant trespass , Friel said in his report .
“ The complainant heard shots in the area , which is known as an area for hunting , and in checking the area those gentlemen were located , but there were no weapons or rifles found with them . They were charged and released pending a court date ,” Friel said .
The three subjects were processed and released on their own recognizance with a court date of November 15 , the report said .
Officer David Reustle was the arresting officer , the report said .