While crime is down around the country, many inner city youth continue to die as a result of violence, drugs, AIDS, and other causes. In response to the deaths of its young members, many urban communities paint memorial murals to pay homage to the deceased and express the grief of an entire community. Here, Delgado explores the use of memorial murals for counseling the bereaved friends and family members of urban youth whose lives were cut short. He proposes that employing such approaches can help a community address the problems inherent in their societies while remembering and celebrating the lives of their most vulnerable members. Delgado begins by reviewing the key concepts and practice principles that are essential in any form of urban community social work practice. He details the incidence and nature of the phenomena of death at an early age, and describes the cultural aspects of grief and bereavement in general and as they pertain to the urban communities he observes. Throughout his discussion of the use of memorial murals in social work practice, he provides case studies about real communities and the ways in which they have used the murals to work through the grieving process. The book concludes with a framework and theoretical model for social workers who work with urban populations. This unique work addresses a common urban issue in the context of healing and outreach in a way that will especially appeal to social workers, community leaders and organizations, psychologists, urban sociologists, and students and scholars interested in the ways people deal with death and dying.

Through participatory strategies, the proposed book seeks to tap into community spirit to convert urban blight to sites of urban pride and in the process reduce gun violence.The past decade witnessed increased practice and scholarship focused on urban open and green spaces across the country, which are often uplifted as having a multitude of social, psychological, health, and economic benefits for residents. These spaces have often emerged from vacant lots and distressed properties that have been torn down because of the safety hazards they present. A review of the literature on vacant lot effect on health found they influence a wide-range of conditions, including attracting gun violence (Sivak, Pearson, & Hurlburt, 2021). Enhancing green spaces, such as parks and gardens, where they exist, or introducing them where they do not through conversion of lots, has taken center stage in urban communities of color as a means of addressing a range of social problems, including reducing various forms of violence (Peréa et al., 2019). In instances where vacant lots are converted to green spaces, the benefits can be significant. Urban green space environments promote trust, democratic principles, and resiliency (Hoffman, 2019). This goal, as a result, is worthy of attention for urban-focused researchers, practitioners, and academics. This book seeks to accomplish six goals: (1) present a state of the art picture of vacant lot and distressed properties conversion; (2) use of case illustrations to concretize values and practice techniques; (3) identify the rewards and challenges of undertaking this form of practice on urban gun violence; (4) identify specific values and principles undergirding urban practice and vacant lots; (5) provide readers with a grounding on the major strategies for reducing urban gun violence to serve as a backdrop for vacant lot conversion; and (6) identify a series of research and practice principles that can guide gun violence reduction interventions.

Through participatory strategies, the proposed book seeks to tap into community spirit to convert urban blight to sites of urban pride and in the process reduce gun violence.The past decade witnessed increased practice and scholarship focused on urban open and green spaces across the country, which are often uplifted as having a multitude of social, psychological, health, and economic benefits for residents. These spaces have often emerged from vacant lots and distressed properties that have been torn down because of the safety hazards they present. A review of the literature on vacant lot effect on health found they influence a wide-range of conditions, including attracting gun violence (Sivak, Pearson, & Hurlburt, 2021). Enhancing green spaces, such as parks and gardens, where they exist, or introducing them where they do not through conversion of lots, has taken center stage in urban communities of color as a means of addressing a range of social problems, including reducing various forms of violence (Peréa et al., 2019). In instances where vacant lots are converted to green spaces, the benefits can be significant. Urban green space environments promote trust, democratic principles, and resiliency (Hoffman, 2019). This goal, as a result, is worthy of attention for urban-focused researchers, practitioners, and academics. This book seeks to accomplish six goals: (1) present a state of the art picture of vacant lot and distressed properties conversion; (2) use of case illustrations to concretize values and practice techniques; (3) identify the rewards and challenges of undertaking this form of practice on urban gun violence; (4) identify specific values and principles undergirding urban practice and vacant lots; (5) provide readers with a grounding on the major strategies for reducing urban gun violence to serve as a backdrop for vacant lot conversion; and (6) identify a series of research and practice principles that can guide gun violence reduction interventions.

While the concept of cities and places of refuge, or sanctuary cities, is as ancient as history itself, the past few years has given rapid rise to a new, related phenomenon in the U.S.: the anti-sanctuary city movement. As of 2018, over 500 U.S. municipalities and several states have adopted anti-sanctuary city policies. How do we explain the rapid rise of this movement? This book examines the social, political, and racial underpinnings of this radical new movement, and what members of targeted communities can do to counteract its corrosive effects. This book accomplishes five goals: Conceptually and descriptively gives form to the anti-sanctuary movement. Identifies trends and reasons for successes and failures of this movement. Draws lessons for social justice advocates in countering this movement. Presents a series of cities illustrating how and why this movement has unfolded in certain geographical areas. Presents recommendations for anticipating the evolution of this movement and countering its destructive impacts in communities where the anti-sanctuary is taking root.

The subject of how best to address the current and future health needs of older adult residents in this country's urban marginalized communities is one that has also received considerable attention in academic, policy, and practice arenas in the past decade. A variety of models have been put forth to achieve the goal of health in these communities but one of the most promising recommendations has been the use of health promotion as a vehicle for reaching and empowering communities of color in both rural and urban America. Older adult-led interventions, as addressed in various sections of this book, is one of the latest and most promising approaches towards health promotion that is grass-roots and community participatory based. Older adult-led health promotion represents an emerging field with tremendous implications for addressing the health needs of marginalized urban older adults in the United States and international.

In Alcohol Use/Abuse Among Latinos: Issues and Examples of Culturally Competent Services, you will learn how to design and improve services for Latinos with substance abuse problems by understanding that the cultures and personal backgrounds of your clients are crucial to the counseling process. This text will also show you how these service skills apply to the individual, family, or an entire community. Studies show that, according to patients, culturally sensitive and responsive practitioners are generally more credible, trusted, and effective. Alcohol Use/Abuse Among Latinos takes into account several different aspects that will help you develop these traits and provide successful services for Latinos dealing with alcohol or other drug problems. You'll gain valuable insight into: the five elements that are vital to a successful ATOD (Alcohol, tobacco and Other Drug) service--multiculturism, resilience/strengths, competence, community capacity development, and community participation--plus a detailed explanation of why they are needed step-by-step instructions for using three methods, supervision, inservice training, and consultation, as means of providing ongoing learning of cross-cultural competencies to practitioners why key factors such as economic background, gender, and sexual orientation need to be taken into consideration for ATOD services to be effective demographic patterns and case studies of Latino users and abusers of alcohol and other drugs that illustrate the growing number of Latinos in need of ATOD services why the practitioner needs to be aware of how family importance, values attached to cooperation versus competition, sociability, respect, and action-oriented problem-solving play a role in effective services for Latinos the need for practitioners to understand how ethnic identity, biculturality, Spanish language fluency, gender-specific role expectations, skin color, and overall sense of self can affect the success of services for Latino teenagers how excessive marketing of alcohol to Latino communities, lack of representation, and a lack of community involvement are key barriers to successful ATOD services for LatinosAlcohol Use/Abuse Among Latinos also discusses Latino mens'and womens'individual needs concerning substance abuse. One of the topics addressed, the loss of self-esteem, has been found to be a contributing factor to alcohol use and abuse for Latinas. It offers ways you can promote self-esteem in your Latina clients by focusing on their cultural heritage and pride. In addition, this text takes a unique look Latina lesbians and how training through educational and agency internship programs can promote awareness to your clients' special needs concerning substance abuse. Alcohol Use/Abuse Among Latinos will help you provide all of your Latino clients with efficient and culture-friendly services for resisting or overcoming the abuse of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs.

In Alcohol Use/Abuse Among Latinos: Issues and Examples of Culturally Competent Services, you will learn how to design and improve services for Latinos with substance abuse problems by understanding that the cultures and personal backgrounds of your clients are crucial to the counseling process. This text will also show you how these service skills apply to the individual, family, or an entire community. Studies show that, according to patients, culturally sensitive and responsive practitioners are generally more credible, trusted, and effective. Alcohol Use/Abuse Among Latinos takes into account several different aspects that will help you develop these traits and provide successful services for Latinos dealing with alcohol or other drug problems. You'll gain valuable insight into: the five elements that are vital to a successful ATOD (Alcohol, tobacco and Other Drug) service--multiculturism, resilience/strengths, competence, community capacity development, and community participation--plus a detailed explanation of why they are needed step-by-step instructions for using three methods, supervision, inservice training, and consultation, as means of providing ongoing learning of cross-cultural competencies to practitioners why key factors such as economic background, gender, and sexual orientation need to be taken into consideration for ATOD services to be effective demographic patterns and case studies of Latino users and abusers of alcohol and other drugs that illustrate the growing number of Latinos in need of ATOD services why the practitioner needs to be aware of how family importance, values attached to cooperation versus competition, sociability, respect, and action-oriented problem-solving play a role in effective services for Latinos the need for practitioners to understand how ethnic identity, biculturality, Spanish language fluency, gender-specific role expectations, skin color, and overall sense of self can affect the success of services for Latino teenagers how excessive marketing of alcohol to Latino communities, lack of representation, and a lack of community involvement are key barriers to successful ATOD services for LatinosAlcohol Use/Abuse Among Latinos also discusses Latino mens'and womens'individual needs concerning substance abuse. One of the topics addressed, the loss of self-esteem, has been found to be a contributing factor to alcohol use and abuse for Latinas. It offers ways you can promote self-esteem in your Latina clients by focusing on their cultural heritage and pride. In addition, this text takes a unique look Latina lesbians and how training through educational and agency internship programs can promote awareness to your clients' special needs concerning substance abuse. Alcohol Use/Abuse Among Latinos will help you provide all of your Latino clients with efficient and culture-friendly services for resisting or overcoming the abuse of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs.

Youth-led research is increasing in popularity around the globe and empowers today's youth to help shape social interventions seeking to reach this population group. Designs and Methods for Youth-Led Research provides a foundation from which to plan and implement social research and program evaluation projects that place youth in central roles. In this text, author Melvin Delgado emphasizes how youth-led research represents a profound political and social statement about making relevant research result in significant changes to programs in the field of youth services. Key Features: Brings together the worlds of practice and academia by providing numerous examples of field-based youth-led research projects Encourages a partnership between youth and adults to facilitate mutual respect and give young people the opportunity to make significant and lasting contributions to the creation of solutions to many of their concerns and needs Examines future challenges in the field to help develop programs that will enrich tomorrow's youth Designs and Methods for Youth-Led Research is an excellent textbook for advanced undergraduate and graduate students studying youth development in a variety of Social Work, Psychology, Education, and Social Research courses. It is also a valuable resource for practitioners in the fields of youth development and youth services.

The one-of-a-kind exploration of effective alcohol prevention and treatment for Latinos-now and for the future! By the year 2020, the Latino population in the United States will increase to 60 million, making up 18 percent of all residents. Latinos and Alcohol Use/Abuse Revisited: Advances and Challenges for Prevention and Treatment Programs brings into sharp focus how present and future demographic shifts in Latino population are being felt in alcohol programs across the United States. Case studies and in-depth research clearly illustrate the practical steps various culturally competent programs recommend to effectively deal with alcohol use, prevention, and treatment for Latinos. Alcohol abuse, though rampant in Latino populations, has not received the attention that other types of drug abuse has received, even though the death rates, health problems, and financial costs from alcohol are staggering. Latinos and Alcohol Use/Abuse Revisited presents respected authorities tackling the tough questions about demographics, culturally competent research, and effective prevention and treatment programs. The book provides an up-to-date socio-demographic foundation, then builds upon current research and information to present a clear picture of the needs of various Latino populations for alcohol abuse programs now and in the future. Latinos and Alcohol Use/Abuse Revisited discusses: the Latino demographic profilean overview patterns of need and treatment among Mexican-origin adults in central California alcohol abuse among Dominican-Americans the onset of alcohol and other drug use among gang members incarcerated Latinas, alcohol, and other drug abuse rural Latino grandparents raising grandchildren of substance abusing parents alcohol use among Puerto Rican active injecting drug users alcohol and other drug abuse prevention for high-risk youth a case study of a Puerto Rican community in Massachusetts detailed recommendations for prevention and treatment Latinos and Alcohol Use/Abuse Revisited is a detailed examination of prevention and treatment programs for Latinos, invaluable for substance abuse professionals, social workers, practitioners, and professionals in charge of alcohol prevention and treatment programs.

The introduction of innovative social paradigms that stress community-participation, community-focused empowerment, assets, social and economic justice themes, and in the case of youth, civic participation, represents one of the outcomes of this questioning and bodes well for current and future generations. The subject of how best to address the current and future health needs of this country's urban marginalized comunities is one that has also received considerable attention in academic, policy, and practice arenas in the past decade. A variety of models have been put forth to achieve the goal of health in these communities. One of the most promising recommendations has been the use of health promotion as a vehicle for reaching and empowering communities of color in both rural and urban America. The youth-led environmental justice movement, as it will be addressed in various sections of this book, is one of the latest and most promising approaches towards health promotion that is grass-roots and community participatory based. Youth-led health promotion represents an emerging field with tremendous implications for addressing the health needs of marginalized urban youth of color in the United States.

The introduction of innovative social paradigms that stress community-participation, community-focused empowerment, assets, social and economic justice themes, and in the case of youth, civic participation, represents one of the outcomes of this questioning and bodes well for current and future generations. The subject of how best to address the current and future health needs of this country's urban marginalized comunities is one that has also received considerable attention in academic, policy, and practice arenas in the past decade. A variety of models have been put forth to achieve the goal of health in these communities. One of the most promising recommendations has been the use of health promotion as a vehicle for reaching and empowering communities of color in both rural and urban America. The youth-led environmental justice movement, as it will be addressed in various sections of this book, is one of the latest and most promising approaches towards health promotion that is grass-roots and community participatory based. Youth-led health promotion represents an emerging field with tremendous implications for addressing the health needs of marginalized urban youth of color in the United States.

The performing arts is one particular area of youth community practice can that can be effectively tapped to attract youth within schools and out-of-school settings, or what has been referred to as the "third area between school and family." These settings are non-stigmatizing, highly attractive community-based venues that serve youth and their respective communities. They can supplement or enhance formal education, providing a counter-narrative for youth to resist the labels placed on them by serving as a vehicle for reactivity and self-expression. Furthermore, the performing arts are a mechanism through which creative expression can transpire while concomitantly engaging youth in creative expression that is transformative at the individual and community level. Music, Song, Dance, Theater, and Social Work explores the innovative programs and interventions in youth community practice that draw on the performing arts as a way to reach and engage the target populations. The book draws from the rich literature bases in community development and positive youth development, as well as from performing arts therapy and group interventions, offering a meeting point where innovative programs have emerged. All in all, the text is an invaluable resource for graduate social work and performing arts students, practitioners, and scholars.

Gun injuries are a social and public health phenomenon that has profound consequences on victims, their social network, and neighborhood. Deaths resulting from gun violence represent just one piece of this puzzle while injuries (visible and invisible) make up a considerable other part. Solving such a large and multi-faceted public health issue is an arduous task. The Silent Epidemic of Gun Injuries explains the effects of injuries from gun violence in the United States. Through case studies and statistics, Melvin Delgado explores the physical and emotional effects of gun injuries as well as their social, cultural, and economic impact on communities. Further, he explains how communities and social work professionals can respond to the epidemic of gun injuries.

Community Practice and Urban Youth is for graduate level students in fields that offer youth studies and community practice courses. Practitioners in these fields, too, will find the book particularly useful in furthering the integration of social justice as a conceptual and philosophical foundation. The use of food, environmental justice, and immigrant-rights and the book's focus on service-learning and civic engagement involving these three topics offers an innovative approach for courses.

Community Practice and Urban Youth is for graduate level students in fields that offer youth studies and community practice courses. Practitioners in these fields, too, will find the book particularly useful in furthering the integration of social justice as a conceptual and philosophical foundation. The use of food, environmental justice, and immigrant-rights and the book's focus on service-learning and civic engagement involving these three topics offers an innovative approach for courses.

The United States correctional system is facing an urgent crisis in how to meet the health care needs of its prisoners. As the number of inmates in correctional facilities increases, prisons struggle to adequately address health care needs in a financially feasible way. Many prisoners enter the system with medical problems that have gone unmet, and the toxic environments inside the prisons further compromise their health, causing serious problems both within the prisons themselves and in society as a whole when the prisoners are released. Health and Health Care in the Nation's Prisons presents a comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of the health care challenges facing today's prisons along with concrete recommendations for change. In addition to an overview of the most common prison health care problems, this book provides a unique assessment of the needs of largely-overlooked prison populations, including women, people of color, and older adults. Authors Melvin Delgado and Denise Humm-Delgado cover high profile health care needs, such as substance abuse and mental illness, as well as lower profile needs like hepatitis and STDs. They also provide essential background information on the development of today's crisis by tracing the history of the U.S. health care system and how it has changed over time to meet social needs.

Gun violence occurs in urban areas more than it does anywhere else, and youth of color in these areas are disproportionately impacted in the United States. How can we approach this? What can we do to stop this from happening in the first place? In addition to trying to bolster the barriers one must cross to acquire a gun, we must also focus on the communities struggling with this abuse. In this book, Melvin Delgado approaches this nationwide issue with a specific focus on the victims: detailing the primary issues surrounding gun violence, what social workers can do about it, and why it is critical for those in the field to get involved. Delgado identifies the current strategies used by social workers, providing professionals with the tools necessary to identify key problems before they escalate enough to lead to violence. He also discusses ways to reshape the education social workers receive to make sure they keep these racial injustices in mind in their approaches. Self-help organizations can intervene and potentially reduce the number of gun-related deaths that occur in cities nationwide, but we too often do not look to them after a shooting. Urban Gun Violence presents opportunities for improvement based on the work done by urban self-help organizations in the past. Building off of these organizations from across the US-from Louis D. Brown Peace Institution in Boston to the Community Justice Reform Coalition in San Francisco-Delgado illustrates how social workers can advocate for minority communities impacted by this lethal weapon. With chapters spanning everything from how people obtain guns-legally and illegally-to lessons from the field, the book outlines the path toward successful intervention.

Trauma has unfortunately become an all-too familiar occurrence in the lives of children, with a majority of youth experiencing a traumatic event before the age of 18. With the rise of school shootings and recent March for Our Lives, this timely book will address intervention strategies for social workers and counselors to combat this negative phenomenon. Urban Youth Trauma focuses on urban violence and guns, while due attention is also paid to other forms of trauma in order to ground violence-related trauma within the constellation of multiple forms of trauma. Violence, and more specifically that related to guns, is very much associated with urban centers and youth of color. Divided into three parts, this volume traces the roots of urban youth trauma. Parts I and II provide context and foundation for the problem and intervention strategies. Part III takes the reader through a variety of intervention strategies directly related to the community's assets. The strength of Urban Youth Trauma's lies in its focus on the community itself as the key to survival, resilience, and change.

Trauma has unfortunately become an all-too familiar occurrence in the lives of children, with a majority of youth experiencing a traumatic event before the age of 18. With the rise of school shootings and recent March for Our Lives, this timely book will address intervention strategies for social workers and counselors to combat this negative phenomenon. Urban Youth Trauma focuses on urban violence and guns, while due attention is also paid to other forms of trauma in order to ground violence-related trauma within the constellation of multiple forms of trauma. Violence, and more specifically that related to guns, is very much associated with urban centers and youth of color. Divided into three parts, this volume traces the roots of urban youth trauma. Parts I and II provide context and foundation for the problem and intervention strategies. Part III takes the reader through a variety of intervention strategies directly related to the community's assets. The strength of Urban Youth Trauma's lies in its focus on the community itself as the key to survival, resilience, and change.

The helping professions and social scientists traditionally seek concepts and paradigms that can be used in shaping research and services focused on marginalized populations in the United States. Various perspectives have garnered attention across disciplines with intersectionality as a recent, salient example. However, state-sanctioned violence-built upon the foundation established by Intersectionality-introduces a purposeful socio-political agenda that is carried out by various levels of government to subjugate a group due to its beliefs, physical characteristics, and/or social circumstances. This book provides a conceptual foundation on state-sanctioned violence; critiques how this perspective holds relevance for social work research, education, and practice; examines specific examples of how and where state-sanctioned violence is manifested; and projects potential developments into the near future.

Urban America is in the midst of an obesity crisis caused by more than just biology and diet. A number of economic, cultural, and contextual factors are causing this epidemic, which can create chronic health conditions for those least able to manage them. Despite scholars' best efforts to tackle the issue, the problem persists, largely because its social and economic drivers are so subtle and systemic. By considering urban obesity through a social justice lens, this book is the first to help social workers and others develop targeted interventions for truly effective outcomes. Melvin Delgado focuses on urban obesity in populations of color -- among the hardest hit in the United States -- and dissects the issue from individual, family, group, community, and policy perspectives. After an overview surveying the history of urban obesity in communities of color, anti-obesity policies and programs, and the role of social work in addressing this threat, Delgado moves through the social, ecological, environmental, and spatial aggravators of urban obesity, such as the food industry's nefarious advertising strategies, which promote unhealthy choices and behaviors; the failure of local markets to provide good food options; the lack of safe spaces in which to exercise; and the paucity of heath education. He analyzes recent, national statistics in terms of obesity among various groups; explores the connection between foodstamps and obesity; and reveals the financial and social consequences of this issue for society as a whole. Delgado concludes with recommendations for effective health promotion programs, such as youth-focused interventions, community gardens, and community-based food initiatives, and a unique consideration of urban obesity in relation to acts of genocide and the integrity of national defense.

The term "sanctuary city" gained a new level of national recognition during the 2016 United States presidential election, and immigration policies and debates have remained a top issue since the election of Donald Trump. The battle over immigration and deportation will be waged on many fronts in the coming years, but sanctuary cities - municipalities that resist the national governments efforts to enforce immigration laws - are likely to be on the front lines for the immediate future, and social workers and others in the helping professions have vital roles to play. In this book, Melvin Delgado offers a compelling case for the centrality of sanctuary cities' cause to the very mission and professional identity of social workers and others in the human services and mental health professions. The text also presents a historical perspective on the rise of the sanctuary movements of the 1970s and 2000s, thereby giving context to the current environment and immigration debate. Sanctuary Cities, Communities, and Organizations serves as a helpful resource for human service practitioners, academics, and the general public alike.

Because researchers often treat baby boomers of color as belonging to one group, quality data on the individual status of specific racial populations is lacking, leading to insufficiently designed programs, policies, and services. The absence of data is a testament to the invisibility of baby boomers of color in society and deeply affects the practice of social work and other helping professions that require culturally sensitive approaches.

Melvin Delgado rectifies this injustice by providing a comprehensive portrait of the status and unique assets of boomers of color. Using specific data, he grounds an understanding of boomers'financial, medical, and emotional needs within a historical, socioeconomic, cultural, and political context, resulting in tailored recommendations for meeting the challenges of a growing population. His research focuses on African American, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, and Native American older adults and addresses issues of financial security, employment stability, housing, and health care, which are often complicated by linguistic and cultural differences. Rather than treat baby boomers of color as a financial burden on society and its resources, Delgado recognizes their strengths and positive contributions to families and communities, resulting in an affirming and empowering approach to service.

Community Health Workers in Action proposes support and expansion of the role of community health workers in meeting the health needs of marginalized groups in United States cities (although their potential reach is not limited to any one group or geographical section). Given the health inequities that continue to touch the lives of millions of people of color across the country, these professionals' efforts-which translate to innovative, community-centered responses designed to reach particularly vulnerable populations-are quite timely. In order to truly understand the topic of health care, one must first explore its historical contexts, socio-cultural factors, and the ways in which values play a critical role in shaping a worldview of the right to quality care. This book offers readers a window into the dynamic field that continues to expand in highly creative and cost-effective ways, which ultimately shape one major piece of the complicated puzzle that is health care in America.

Latino small businesses provide social, economic, and cultural comfort to their communities. They are also excellent facilitators of community capacity -- a major component of effective social work practice. Social work practitioners have a vested interest in seeing such businesses grow, not only among Latinos but all communities of color. Reviewing the latest research on formal and informal economies within urban communities of color, Melvin Delgado lays out the demographic foundations for a richer collaboration between theory and practice.

Delgado deploys numerous case studies to cement the link between indigenous small businesses and community well-being. Whether regulated or unregulated, these establishments hire from within and promote immigrant self-employment. Latino small businesses often provide jobs for those whose criminal and mental health backgrounds intimidate conventional businesses. Recently estimated to be the largest group of color running small businesses in the United States, Latino owners top two million, with the number expected to double within the next few years. Joining an understanding of these institutions with the kind of practice that enables their social and economic improvement, Delgado explains how to identify and mobilize the kinds of resources that best spur their development.