Shannon E. Boyle, LMSW Executive Director of ‘New Ground’ speaks at GC Library Feb. 1st 7:30 AAUW’s Feb 1st Program

The Garden City AAUW invites the community to meet Shannon E. Boyle, LMSW, Executive Director of “New Ground” at the Garden City Library Monday, February 1st, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. “New Ground,” a social service organization, helps to provide for Ms. Boyle an opportunity to put into service her own deep felt need in helping people overcome various obstacles in order for them to achieve success.

Shannon E. Boyle, a NY State Licensed Master Social Worker, came to “New Ground” with pertinent educational experiences, receiving accolades along the way. Her Bachelor degree from Boston College 1997 Magna Cum Laude in Social Work included a major in Sociology, a minor in Women’s Studies, and a completion of Boston’s Pre-Med program. After graduating, she worked with homeless women who were victims of HIV/AIDS and substance abuse. That experience advanced Ms. Boyle’s decision to earn her Masters degree in social Work. This was followed by a two year study at the ‘Ackerman Institute for the Family’ in NYC. There she studied various theoretical and clinical approaches to working with families through therapy. Her professional training, as a Social Worker intern at ‘Brigham Women’s Hospital’, included out-patient psychiatry clinic and Addiction Psychiatry Service.

The ‘Mission Statement’ for ‘New Ground, Inc.’ gives clarity to its work. “We maintain, that the key to eliminating the problem of homelessness is not only to provide short-term assistance to homeless families and veterans, but to work at eliminating its root causes so these individual can become and remain self supporting. WE identify, and then respond to those-at-risk with programs that provide educational, technical, and emotional support. This empowers these families and veterans enabling them to function independently.

Working in collaboration with institutions in the public and private sector, ‘New Ground’ is able to involve existing agencies to better respond to the growing needs and challenges of Long Island’s homeless population.

In short Long Island has 40,000 homeless people. Two thirds are members of homeless families. Half are children. One in four Nassau County adults is illiterate.

‘New Ground’ successes include:

• 100% of ‘New Ground’ children promoted to the next grade level.

• 98% of ‘New Ground’ children attend school regularly and plan to graduate.

• 52% of ‘New Ground’ adults earned their GED or continued on to college or vocational school.

• 85% of ‘New Ground’ participants come off public assistance

The Garden City branch of AAUW is one of ‘New Grounds financial supporters. AAUW’s donations provide a ‘New Ground’ family with the financial means to help the family have enjoyable holidays. Examples for 2009 would include money cards for Christmas gifts and the purchase of food for Thanksgiving.

AAUW’s association with 'New Ground’ was seen as means for the continuation of its long established program ‘One Woman At a Time’. Thus Mary Carolyn Bishop, a chairperson for ‘One Woman At a Time’ will introduce speaker Shannon E. Boyle at its Feb. 1st meeting. Margaret Delahunt, AAUW’s Program Director conceived and organized this event. Joan Afflerbach and Lynn McGuire will be present with their usual presentation of delectable refreshments.