RESOURCES

REPORTING OF CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT:

All mental health professionals, including all therapists at SBP&W, are required by law to report suspicion of abuse or neglect of minors to the New York State Office of Children & Family Services.

Any private citizen, however, can confidentially report suspicion of abuse or neglect of minors to the New York State Office of Children & Family Services, and are encouraged to do so. Such reports can be made using the contact information below:
Phone: 1-800-342-3720
Website: http://www.ocfs.state.ny.us/main/cps/

MEDITATION IN THE COMMUNITY:

Dipamkara Meditation Center (DMC)
DMC is a non-profit, volunteer-based organization offering weekly drop-in classes, beginner meditation classes, day courses, classes for children and families, day and weekend retreats, and in-depth study programs. DMC has locations in Huntington and Port Jefferson. For more information, click on the link below. http://meditationonlongisland.org/

BOOK DONATIONS:

Reading Reflections
Reading Reflections is a local non-profit organization that accepts donations of all types of books and distributes them to those in need. The Stony Brook drop-off site is located at the medical offices of Drs. Mendelsohn and Schneck:

2500 Nesconset Highway
Building 17, Unit 17B
Stony Brook, NY 11790

The best days to bring books are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 am to 4 pm. For more information, contact Jonathan Schneck at: readingreflections@gmail.com

BLOOD DONATIONS:

New York Blood Center:

Local blood donation sites affiliated with the NY Blood Center are constantly in need of donations of whole blood, platelets, red cells, and plasma for patients with cancer, as well as those in need of blood transfusions and for burn victims in recovery. To find a site near you, if you are interested in donating blood, click on the link below.
http://www.nybc.org

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:

The INN – Soup Kitchen
The INN is the largest private social service agency of its kind on Long Island, helping to unite local communities to overcome the challenges of hunger and homelessness. The INN also offers a series of wide-ranging programs to help people present at their soup kitchens, emergency shelters and in their long-term housing program.
http://the-inn.org

Big Brothers Big Sisters
Big Brothers Big Sisters aims to provide mentors to all children who need caring adult role models, helping them to expand their horizons, realize their potential and enrich their futures.
http://www.bbbsli.org/

Guide Dog Foundation
The Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind offers several volunteer programs in helping to provide the gift of Second Sight® to community members who are blind or visually impaired. Volunteer programs include: Puppy Walkers, Kennel Program, Class Volunteers, and Office Volunteers.
http://www.guidedog.org/Default.aspx

Teach for America
Teach for America recruits a diverse group of leaders with a record of achievement who work to expand educational opportunity, starting by teaching for two years in a low-income community.
http://www.teachforamerica.org/

AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps provides opportunities for adults of all ages through a network of partnerships with local and national nonprofit groups. Specific volunteer opportunities include: Tutoring/Mentoring Disadvantaged Youth; Literacy Education; Improving Health Services; Building Affordable Housing; Teaching Computer Skills; Cleaning Parks & Streams; Managing/Operating After-School Programs; Helping Communities Respond to Disasters; and, Building Organizational Capacity.
http://www.americorps.gov/

For more resources, visit:

Dr. Cottone's Resources Page: This site offers helpful information for patients, including: psychiatric referral information, community volunteer opportunities, local recreation acitivities, job and career development links, as well as book excerpts and online videos related to psychology and meditation.