We asked our students to share Acts of Kindness during the COVID-19 pandemic that they heard about, participated in or were the recipient of. We know there are many stories. Here are a few that have been shared:
In response to COVID-19, SSW, MSW students, Angela Santamaria, Dorothy Santana, Luis Hidalgo and Omar Portillo have been working diligently and collaboratively with community organizations to help stop the spread of the virus. To get the message out loud and clear- they purchased megaphones and batteries and contacted the Suffolk County Police Department, local Fire Departments and the local government to collaborate on informing and warning residents in the most affected and impacted communities in Suffolk and Nassau Counties starting in Brentwood, Central Islip and Bay Shore.
Omar has been helping individuals and families struggling to meet needs and connecting them to resources in the community. They held community meetings and distributed flyers in Spanish and English at local supermarkets, laundries, liquor stores and small local stores. They used the megaphones in the store parking lots where people were gathering. They noticed that most of the people wore masks and gloves. They continued their campaign at Brentwood High School during the food distribution that the school district has in association with Island Harvest Food Bank. Their message was indeed loud and clear as they worked toward informing the residents of these communities of the risks and how to help stop the spread.
Samantha Stein, 1st year MSW student shared her story about the kindness shown by her Field Liaison, Joan Phillips, LCSW-R, CASAC, RYT, Clinical Instructor:
"I just wanted to recognize one of your faculty members who has truly gone above and beyond for me. My entire family was diagnosed with Covid-19 and had no way of food shopping. I tried to use services like Peapod, but they didn't have delivery dates available until weeks from now. When checking in with me about my field placement, Joan inquired about how I was doing and I explained my situation. She immediately volunteered to go food shopping for me and dropped it off at my house in Oceanside. She even came back today to drop off three hot meals. She has been a blessing to me and my family. Her dedication to the social work profession and her students is truly inspiring. The Stony Brook School of Social Welfare is lucky to have her".
