Open Letter: What I didn’t Hear Enough About From The Candidates
An open letter to all the candidates by Yosef Mendel Heintz, LMSW on what he didn’t hear enough about from the candidates on the upcoming Vaad Hakohol elections • Full Article
Editors Note: Chabadinfo does not editorially support or endorse any political campaign or candidate. The opinions expressed in this article are of the author.
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By Yosef Mendel Heintz, LMSW
Mental health
Mental health is a substantial crisis in our community, with addiction and suicide being a strong issue at hand. Our youth are struggling, and our families are drifting apart. Many of the kids and adults need mental health treatment, but they don’t have where to go. While this issue was mentioned as a sidebar at the Meet the Candidates forum, there wasn’t enough focus on it. How will we ensure that families in crisis in Crown Heights will get the help they need? How will we ensure that teens from all levels of religion have somewhere to turn to?
Social Services
Our community lacks access to Social Services. Ask a random Lubavitcher on the street where I can get help filling out a SNAP application or Medicaid application, etc. They’ll tell you to go to the UJO, met council, or COJO, But no one will tell you to go somewhere local. We need a revamped social services agency in Crown Heights. Candidates, please let us know how you will accomplish this.
The housing crisis was talked about a lot and is indeed a very serious issue in Crown Heights. The facts of the matter are that Crown Heights is overpacked and very expensive, and while it is easy to make campaign promises about it, it mostly has to do with supply and demand. So, while focusing on it makes a good campaign speech, these other issues mentioned here are fixable, and I hope that before Sunday, we’ll hear more about them from the candidates.
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Yosef Mendel Heintz is a Licensed Social Worker in NY and NJ and resides with his wife and son in Crown Heights. He graduated from Wurzweiler School of Social Work in August 2023. He works at Ohel Children’s Home and Family Services on the Mobile Outreach Team, providing short-term crisis intervention and referrals for individuals and families of all ages with mental health issues. He can be reached at [email protected].
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How is there community elections and everybody is just finding out the exact date and conditions to vote the week before? Why are there not signs put up all over the should and community?
How am I supposed to prove that I’m married if I’m under 30?
What is going on over here?
Is there and email, a number, something or someone to talk to?
is there an updated picture of the author? It seems there have been some changes since his last article…