InvisALERT Solutions – ObservSMART

Consumer Perspectives: Housing is Essential for Recovery

This article is part of a quarterly series giving voice to the perspectives of individuals with lived experiences as they share their opinions on a particular topic. The authors are served by Services for the UnderServed (S:US), a New York City-based nonprofit that is committed to giving every New...

Using the Seven Principles of Afrocentricity to Frame a Community-Based Organization’s Programs and Services for Individuals, Families, and Communities

Services for the UnderServed (S:US) is one the largest community-based, health and human services organizations in New York State and intentionally works daily to "right" societal imbalances by providing comprehensive and culturally responsive programming. The need to fulfill its mission of driving...

Creating a Social Justice Action Framework for a NYC Social Service Provider

As one of the largest providers of community-based human services and housing in the state, the Services for the Underserved (S:US) team of over 1,800 dedicated staff serve over 38,000 New Yorkers each year. For more than four decades, S:US has served individuals and communities who face many...

Consumer Perspectives: Regaining Hope in Our Future

This article is part of a quarterly series giving voice to the perspectives of individuals with lived experiences as they share their opinions on a particular topic. The authors are served by Services for the UnderServed (S:US), a New York City-based nonprofit that is committed to giving every New...

Consumer Perspectives: Overcoming the Stigma of Mental Health, Chronic Illness, and Homelessness

This article is part of a quarterly series giving voice to the perspectives of individuals with lived experiences as they share their opinions on a particular topic. The authors are served by Services for the UnderServed (S:US), a New York City-based nonprofit that is committed to giving every New...

Mental Health Is Essential to Stability

We are seven New Yorkers ranging in age from the 20s to the 70s. We all have a variety of behavioral health needs and have benefited from S:US programs such as housing assistance and supported housing, crisis respite, care coordination, substance use treatment and recovery clinics and services,...

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Related to Prevention of COVID-19 Among New York State Behavioral Health Employees

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in more than 79 million cases of confirmed infection and over 963,000 deaths in the United States.1 The pandemic has also resulted in increased levels of adverse mental health conditions, substance use and suicidal ideation.2 The reported prevalence of anxiety and...

Consumer Perspectives: Volunteering Makes a Difference in Our Lives

This article is part of a quarterly series giving voice to the perspectives of individuals with lived experiences as they share their opinions on a particular topic. The authors are served by Services for the UnderServed (S:US), a New York City-based nonprofit that is committed to giving every New...

Honoring Donna Colonna’s Contribution to the Field of Human Services

After 25 years of passionate and dedicated service as the CEO of Services for the UnderServed (S:US), Donna Colonna recently announced her plan to retire in February 2022. Donna has spent her nearly 50-year career working to promote self-determination for people who have been disadvantaged by the...

Staffing Shortages Halt Progress

This article is part of a quarterly series giving voice to the perspectives of individuals with lived experiences as they share their opinions on a particular topic. The author is served by Services for the UnderServed (S:US), a New York City-based nonprofit that is committed to giving every New...