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Compensation Resources, Inc. and Christian Leadership Alliance Release the 2019 Compensation Survey Report for Christian Organizations


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2019 Compensation Survey Report for Christian Organizations

The data is reported in 8 Christian-based industrial classifications, and also by revenue, employee size, and region, to provide the user with various means by which to examine and evaluate results

Compensation Resources, Inc. (CRI) and Christian Leadership Alliance (CLA) have released the 2019 Compensation Survey Report for Christian Organizations. This year’s survey continues to report on salary and bonus data, along with compensation and benefit information including insurance coverage, paid time off, retirement plans, turnover, work – life, etc. The data is reported in 8 Christian-based industrial classifications, and also by revenue, employee size, and region, to provide the user with various means by which to examine and evaluate results. Results are based on data provided by 101 participating organizations.

To learn more about the 2019 Compensation Survey Report for Christian Organizations, or to order the complete report, please contact Sean Gimpel at (877) 934-0505 x104. You can also visit CRI’s website at http://www.CompensationResources.com or by clicking here for more information and to download a free sample of this year’s survey.

About Compensation Resources, Inc. (CRI): CRI provides compensation and human resource consulting services to mid- and small-cap public companies, private, family-owned, and closely held firms, as well as not-for-profit organizations. CRI specializes in executive compensation, sales compensation, pay-for-performance and incentive compensation, performance management programs, and expert witness services.

About Christian Leadership Alliance (CLA): CLA unites, trains, and equips Christian leaders to think higher for greater kingdom gain. CLA moves beyond good Christian management to empower Christian leadership that is catalytic in its transformation of people, their organizations, and ultimately the world. CLA is an alliance of mission focused Christians who lead in today’s high-impact Christian nonprofit ministries, churches, educational institutes, and businesses. For more information about becoming a member, please contact CLA at (949) 487-0900 or visit us at http://www.ChristianLeadershipAlliance.org.

Contact: Sean Gimpel

Controller/Operations Manager

Compensation Resources, Inc.

877-934-0505 x104

http://www.CompensationResources.com

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Hospice of Westchester Hosts 17th Annual Golf Invitational


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HOW Golf Invitational Co-chairs, Sponsors and Executives

“The Golf Invitational always provides a wonderful opportunity to raise much needed funding for our important programs and services, and we were humbled to honor our good friend Ossie Dahl at this year’s event,” said Mary K. Spengler, MS, chief executive officer, HOW.

Hospice of Westchester (HOW) hosted its 17th Annual Golf Invitational at Westchester Hills Golf Club in White Plains on Tuesday, September 10. More than 140 local business leaders and community members participated in the event to support the nonprofit healthcare agency. This year was the organization’s largest Golf Invitational yet, with nearly 25 foursomes playing in the benefit. This year’s event was held in honor of Ossie T. Dahl and proceeds will support HOW’s commitment to providing compassionate end-of-life care.

“The Golf Invitational always provides a wonderful opportunity to raise much needed funding for our important programs and services, and we were humbled to honor our good friend Ossie Dahl at this year’s event,” said Mary K. Spengler, MS, chief executive officer, HOW. “This was our most successful golf invitational to date. We are grateful for the continued generosity of our sponsors and the local business community.”

The all-day event featured brunch/lunch, 18 holes of golf, a barbecue on the ninth hole, a cocktail reception, dinner and awards ceremony, as well as a silent auction and raffles.

The 2019 Golf Invitational co-chairmen include Michael K. Ciaramella, Larry Dix, William F. Flooks Jr., Jack Geoghegan, Joseph Kahl, Bill McLaughlin, Tim Murphy, James P. O’Toole, Kenneth Theobalds, Michael Vitale and John Zanzarella. Hildegarde D. Becher Foundation Inc. and Manhattan Beer Distributors were the grand sponsors of the event. Other sponsors included Atlantic, Tomorrow’s Office; Beecher Flooks Funeral Home Inc.; Empress Ambulance; Entergy; Polchinski Memorials Inc.; Sterling National Bank; and Zanzarella Marketing. The hole-in-one contest was sponsored by Condor, Mt. Kisco Chevrolet-Cadillac, and the dinner sponsor was TOMRA of North America, Inc.

About Hospice of Westchester

Hospice of Westchester (HOW) is a private, not-for-profit healthcare agency that provides skilled, compassionate and comprehensive end-of-life home care to patients diagnosed with any serious or life-limiting illness and gives support to their families and loved ones. Hospice of Westchester is located at 1025 Westchester Avenue, Suite 200, White Plains, NY. For additional information, visit http://www.hospiceofwestchester.com or call (914) 682-1484. For the latest news and updates, find HOW on Facebook.

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Arizona’s Hemp Industry Trade Association to Host Republican Senator Sonny Borrelli


From salty soil, hard clay, extreme heat and monsoon rains in the summer, we have some unique farming challenges. Our experts will discuss how to cultivate successfully in Arizona with a focus on seed selection, germination rates, quality suppliers, and more.

The Hemp Industry Trade Association of Arizona (HITA-AZ), the state’s first hemp-specific, non-governmental agricultural organization, will host a monthly networking event Tuesday, September 24th, from 5 to 8 p.m., at the Saguaro Scottsdale, located at 4000 North Drinkwater Boulevard in Scottsdale.

Open to the public, the meeting will focus on hemp farming tips for Arizona’s desert climate. Republican Senator Sonny Borrelli will headline the presentation with Brian McGrew, hemp program leader for the Arizona Department of Agriculture. Borrelli was instrumental in backing the 2018 commercial planting of hemp law that went into effect this year. Admission is $20 per person or two for $35. For information or tickets visit http://www.hita-az.org.

Co-founded by hemp experts Sully Sullivan, Laura Franklin and Danielle Sedgwick, HITA-AZ is a community organization that brings together agricultural experts, farmers, business leaders and entrepreneurs from throughout the Valley.

“From salty soil, hard clay, extreme heat and monsoon rains in the summer, we have some unique farming challenges. Our experts will discuss how to cultivate successfully in Arizona with a focus on seed selection, germination rates, quality suppliers, and more,” stated Sullivan.

Members of HITA-AZ benefit from enhanced political representation, unparalleled networking opportunities, exclusive access to industry information, special training and educational opportunities, local business connections and brand recognition. For more information, go to http://www.hita-az.org.

About HITA-AZ:

The Hemp Industry Trade Association of Arizona (HITA) is a community of stakeholders committed to building a strong and sustainable future for hemp in Arizona. In addition to enhanced political representation, HITA offers members unparalleled networking opportunities; exclusive access to industry information; special training and education opportunities; and local business connections and brand recognition.

HITA regularly hosts hemp industry networking events throughout the state, special engagement private events and industry bench-mark celebrations. Our events attract the best and brightest operators, business owners, government officials, activists, and community members from across the industry who enjoy learning from each other and exploring business opportunities in a casual environment. For more information visit http://www.hita-az.org or connect with the organization on Instagram and Facebook.

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Author Johnny White Takes Readers Through a Deeper Understanding of the Lord’s Prayer in His New Book, Teachable Moments


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“Good teachers live for teachable moments when their students are eager to learn, and Jesus was the consummate teacher who saw every common day occurrence…as potential teachable moments. Even Jesus’ enemies conferred upon him the respected title of Rabbi; Good Teacher.”

Teachable Moments: Theological Reflections from The World’s Most Familiar Prayer is an eye-opening read for anyone who has questions about prayer, regardless of cultural or religious background. Author Johnny White shares that people have a need for prayer as a form of asking for help or unburdening themselves, whether or not they believe in the existence of God. At some point, even non-devout people resort to prayer during times of crisis.

Another point the author shares is how much there is to learn from paying closer attention to the Lord’s Prayer. Its words are known to billions of people worldwide, but there’s more to it than meets the eye. It’s true that this prayer shows people how to honor God, but it also encourages everyone to nurture a loving relationship with Him as his or her Father rather than view Him as a divine being to be feared. This prayer also teaches people that they might not get what they want upon asking for it, but that God knows all of His children and will provide what they need in His perfect timing.

For one to truly learn, he or she must have a good teacher and the willingness to listen. “Good teachers live for teachable moments when their students are eager to learn, and Jesus was the consummate teacher who saw every common day occurrence—from birds in the air, to flowers in the field, to seeds wastefully spread on the hard ground—as potential teachable moments. Even Jesus’ enemies conferred upon him the respected title of Rabbi; Good Teacher.” Jesus took every opportunity to preach in public places where the common folk and sinners of society would hear His parables depicting daily events representing the Kingdom of God.

The Lord’s Prayer teaches the value of forgiveness over the pursuit of revenge, and the author says that it is one of the most difficult yet essential acts to practice. While self-forgiveness and reconciliation with others can hurt, the resulting freedom from self-destructive behavior and guilt is indescribable. This great act of forgiveness would not be possible either if it weren’t for God’s great act of love: sacrificing His only Son on the cross to save humanity from sin. It is only because of His example that people are capable of forgiveness in the first place.

There is much to learn from the Lord’s Prayer other than the words in it, but it’s up to the faithful if they will open their hearts to God’s will. “Commit your unknown future, fraught with potential temptations, into the hands of God our Father who wants only the best for you. Then once again, in a loud and clear voice, pledge your allegiance to the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory of God—first and foremost. These are presumptive Teachable Moments from the world’s most familiar prayer. Depart from them only with great caution.”

Reverend Johnny White, author of Teachable Moments, served for more than 25 years helping married couples and single adults as Senior Associate Pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in San Antonio, Texas. After that, he served another 12 years as a pastor and senior pastor of the interdenominational church at Horseshoe Bay, Texas. He retired in May 2017 but continues volunteering with his wife, Patricia, in church and community programs.

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The Arc Westchester Employer Partner By The Way Bakery Honored in State-wide Ceremony for their Commitment to Employing Individuals with Disabilities


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Rosa Rodriguez, Board Membe; Lawrence Faulkner, Esq., General Counsel and Director of Corporate Compliance; Helene Godin, President/CEO By the Way Bakery; Maria Varga, Coordinator Career Supports

Helene is truly one of the best ambassadors for our employment program, and she and her business have gone above and beyond in supporting our individuals.

The Arc Westchester, the largest nonprofit organization supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in Westchester County, is pleased to announce that employer partner By The Way Bakery was recently honored with The Arc New York Employer Recognition Award.

In 2016, By the Way Bakery joined The Arc Westchester’s network of more than 250 business partners. The Hastings-on-Hudson company is committed to including as many people at the table as possible – whether they are gluten-free, dairy-free or kosher – which now includes individuals with I/DD. Impressed by the quality of the work that her first employee, Lauren, displayed, and the impact that she made on her colleagues, By The Way Bakery’s founder Helene Godin has since added Daniel and Steven to their team.

“Helene is truly one of the best ambassadors for our employment program, and she and her business have gone above and beyond in supporting our individuals,” said Tibi Guzmán, executive director and CEO of The Arc Westchester. “We were thrilled to be able to nominate Helene and By The Way Bakery for their unwavering dedication to our organization and were ecstatic when we learned that she was going to be honored with this prestigious award.”

The Arc New York Employer Recognition Award provides Chapters with an opportunity to recognize an individual, corporation, or business in New York state that has demonstrated outstanding support in providing services and job opportunities for people with I/DD. This year’s other recipients included: Tioga Downs Resort Casino (Achieve), Adams Fairacre Farms (The Arc Dutchess) and Montefiore Medical Center (ARHC New York).

“It was very soon after hiring Lauren that I realized that not only was this a great fit for me and my company, but that it could be a great thing for so many other businesses throughout Westchester County and even New York State,” said Godin. “There’s a sign over our door that says ‘Bake the World a Better Place.’ And the world is in fact a little better thanks to Lauren, Daniel and Steven.”

For more information on The Arc Westchester’s Employer Program, visit https://arcwestchester.org/services/career-employment/employers/.

The Arc Westchester

The Arc Westchester, founded in 1949, is the largest agency in Westchester County supporting children, teens and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including individuals on the autism spectrum, and their families. The organization’s 850 employees provide more than 2,000 individuals throughout the county with a broad range of innovative and effective programs and services designed to foster independence, productivity and participation in community life.

The mission of The Arc Westchester is to empower children, teens and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including individuals on the autism spectrum, to achieve their potential by strengthening families and encouraging personal choices, abilities and interests.

The Arc Westchester is a chapter of The Arc USA and The Arc New York.

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America’s Got Talent Native American Rap Duo & Texas Inspirational Rapper with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Team Up at Annual Austin Concert Event – Sat. Sept. 28th, 2019


Two album-cover style images of Lil Mike & Funny Bone alongside Ryan Wheelz Schmidt with the words "Ryan'd Day 10 - Sept. 28th 2019" overhead.

Ryans Day 10

“Recently we almost lost Ryan to this disease. Despite this, he’s performing like it’s the 1st day of the rest of his life. If he can do it, so can you. Ryan’s Day is a chance to fight back… and have a great time doing it!”- Grace SharingtonRyan’s Day Emcee/IOW Board

“This young artist on a mission has attracted the attention of celebrities near and far, whom support Ryan’s Day by donating various autographed items for the raffle and auction” says former UT Coach Mack Brown, “Anyone that is involved with this awful disease knows Wheelz and what he’s done to promote and educate people to try and get a cure… he’s working every year, and I know the rapping’s going really, really well.” Currently “Wheelz” has 3 full length CD’s available: “In The Beginning,” “Determined” and “2Determined,” all available @ wheelzband.com.

This years’ Ryan’s Day event will be held at South Austin’s premiere new craft brewery & live music venue Skull Mechanix located at 1005 St. Elmo Rd. Bldg. 2, Austin, TX. 78745 on Saturday September 28th from 1– 9pm. This family-friendly fundraiser will feature America’s Got Talent finalists Lil Mike & Funny Bone, some of Austin’s top original & cover bands, and a performance by Wheelz himself. Food will be served up by chef Justin Rossi of Chopped and Skewed food truck. Other festivities include: dunk tank, kid’s activities, prize raffle, auction, food & drink specials, and the 6th annual “WASABI CHALLENGE.” “KISS FOR A CURE” is open to local businesses who’d like to donate $100. By doing so, Ryan “Wheelz” Schmidt will receive a kiss from one of the many surprise guests. Businesses can show their love and support by putting their money where their mouth is!

The mission of the organization is to improve the treatment, quality of life, and long-term outlook for all individuals affected by Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) through research, advocacy, education, and compassion. DMD is the most common fatal genetic disorder diagnosed during early childhood and is progressive causing muscle disorder that causes loss of muscle function and independence.

DETAILS: “Ryan’s Day” is an annual celebration open to the public on Saturday September 28th, 2019 at Skull Mechanix located at 1005 St. Elmo Rd. Bldg. 2, Austin, TX. 78745 from 1– 9pm. $10 requested donation to attend. Family-friendly, handicapped friendly.

WEBSITE: http://www.wheelzband.com

“Wheelz” music video for “Searching:” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcy1kuagRsA

Darius Weems WASABI CHALLENGE backstory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIZ0wNhYwio

Interested in volunteering? Questions? Interview Inquiry?

EVENT CONTACT – Leslie Schmidt: 512-587-2091

“Inspiration on Wheelz” is committed to raising public awareness through education, music, and annual event “Ryan’s Day” to help find a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

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New novel, Simon’s Mansion, continues an award-winning series about a gay ex-cult member seeking acceptance and reconciliation


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Simon’s Mansion

When the man Simon loves disappears into thin air, he must go back to the beginning to find the truth.

Simon didn’t think he would ever go home again, but to plan for his future, he needs to face his past. For Simon, the family mansion in Arkansas is a part of him. He may have fled small-town life for a path that led to cocaine addiction, but he has found his way home. Now, all that’s left is for him to face those he hurt along the way. As Simon navigates his constant internal struggle between faith and atheism, he must make decisions that will forever alter the course of his life.

Simon Powell was a follower of the Reverend Sun Myung Moon and his cultish and highly controversial Unification Church. After breaking with the church, Simon becomes a successful Hollywood film distributor, but self-doubt leads to drug addiction. Simon eventually returns to his hometown in Arkansas and seeks help, still haunted by personal struggles with faith, learning to accept himself as a gay man, and estrangement from his extended family.

While living in Arkansas, Simon’s former boyfriend Thad, fresh from rehab, brings Simon’s belongings from Hollywood. Simon and Thad rekindle their relationship. Simon wants to believe he has left his troubled past behind and that he can make a new life with Thad, but he will have to deal with the consequences of his past to move forward.

Simon’s Mansion continues a series of stand-alone novels that includes award-winning Simon Says ISBN: 0615559573) and Simple Simon (ISBN: 1477624996).

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Community Health Charities Launches #Thanks8billion CFC Appreciation Campaign


#Thanks8billion recognizes military and federal personnel who have raised more than $8 billion through Combined Federal Campaign.

This week, Community Health Charities launched a #Thanks8billion campaign to recognize military and federal personnel who have given so generously through the annual Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), raising more than $8 billion over more than 50 years.

“Most of the news coverage recently around CFC has been negative,” said Thomas G. Bognanno, president and CEO, Community Health Charities. “It was high time someone focused on the unprecedented impact this campaign has had over the years and the leadership and unselfish commitment of our government workforce.”

The CFC is the world’s largest and most successful annual workplace giving campaign, with almost 200 separate CFC campaigns throughout the country and overseas, raising tens of millions of dollars each year.

Special recognition goes to last year’s top CFC contributors:

1. Department of Defense (civilian and military)

2. United States Postal Service

3. Department of Health and Human Services

4. Department of Homeland Security

5. Department of Veteran Affairs

6. Department of Commerce

7. Department of Treasury

8. Department of Transportation

9. NASA

10. Department of Justice

Through their generosity in the CFC, federal and military personnel have helped find cures for children with cancer, supported injured military veterans and their families, provided meals and housing for those in need, and improved millions of lives, building stronger, healthier communities for all of us.

To align with the CFC opening last week and the National Capital Area kicking off this week, Community Health Charities is embarking on an appreciation campaign, including a #Thanks8billion social media blitz, plus ads this week in The Washington Post, Army Times, Navy Times, Marine Corp Times, and Air Force Times, as well as an upcoming ad in The National Association of Postal Supervisors’ The Postal Supervisor magazine, and more.

Community Health Charities also is hosting a series of CFC Summits that bring together the top revenue-generating nonprofits in the CFC to discuss ways to collaborate and take action to propel the campaign forward.

CFC is open September 9, 2019 through January 12, 2020: https://cfcgiving.opm.gov/.

To download the social media graphics for #Thanks8billion, please visit https://healthcharities.org/CFC.

Community Health Charities was an inaugural member in the CFC and represents top nonprofits like St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (CFC# 10560), American Cancer Society (#10570), Alzheimer’s Association (# 11234), Samaritan’s Purse (#10532), Susan G. Komen (#10615), and Paralyzed Veterans of America (# 33835).

About Us

Community Health Charities has been raising awareness and resources and empowering people to take action to improve health and wellbeing for over 60 years. We support education, treatment, and prevention for those with health challenges; bring organizations together to improve community health; provide individuals with opportunities to get involved; and increase the capacity of nonprofit organizations. Visit https://healthcharities.org/ or @healthcharities.

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Mental Health America Releases its Annual State of Mental Health Report; Shows Adults, Children in Crisis


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“We must continue to improve access to care and treatments, and we need to put a premium on early identification and early intervention for everyone with mental health concerns. We must address these mental health concerns before crisis and tragedy strikes—before Stage 4.”

For the 6th year in a row, Mental Health America (MHA) released its annual State of Mental Health Report, which ranks all 50 states and the District of Columbia based on several mental health and access measures. This year, Pennsylvania came out on top overall with Nevada coming in 51st. The report also takes a look back on the trends of the last 6 years and shows that many are still not receiving the treatment they need.

Most alarmingly, the data show that the mental health of our youth is getting worse, not better. Major depression in youth has increased 4.35 percent over the last 6 years – meaning over 2 million youth have severe depression. Shockingly, almost 60 percent of youth with major depression do not receive any mental health treatment.

“Sadly, our report shows that our children continue to be in crisis,” said Paul Gionfriddo, president and CEO, MHA. “Despite mental health being something that more and more people are talking about – far too many young people are still suffering. It is imperative that we prioritize mental health for children and adolescents so that we can avoid crisis and so they can live healthy and productive lives.”

The data show that children are not the only ones in trouble. Adults are struggling as well:


  • Over 45 million Americans – almost 20% – are experiencing a mental illness;
  • Over 10.3 million adults have serious thoughts of suicide in the United States – an increase of nearly 450,000 people from last year’s data set; and
  • 57 percent of adults with a mental illness receive no treatment.

In developing the report, MHA looked at 15 different measures to determine the rankings. MHA hopes to provide a snapshot of mental health status among youth and adults for policy and program planning, analysis, and evaluation; to track changes in prevalence of mental health issues and access to mental health care; to understand how changes in national data reflect the impact of legislation and policies; and to increase the dialogues and improve outcomes for individuals and families with mental health needs.

While much of the state of our mental health care continues to be broken, there are glimmers of hope. The data show that the rate of substance use disorders (SUD) in adults and in youth ages 12-17 has decreased. Public health and prevention efforts to limit the availability of drugs appear to have been successful in reducing the prevalence of SUD among children and adults in the U.S. That said, alcohol continues to be the most commonly used substance among adolescents and adults, with nearly three-quarters of people over the age of 12 with a SUD in the last year having an alcohol use disorder.

“While there are some improvements, it is clear we are not doing enough,” concluded Gionfriddo. “We must continue to improve access to care and treatments, and we need to put a premium on early identification and early intervention for everyone with mental health concerns. We must address these mental health concerns before crisis and tragedy strikes—before Stage 4.”

Mental Health America (MHA) – founded in 1909 – is the nation’s leading community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and to promoting the overall mental health of all Americans. Our work is driven by our commitment to promote mental health as a critical part of overall wellness, including prevention services for all; early identification and intervention for those at risk; integrated care, services, and supports for those who need it; with recovery as the goal. Learn more at http://www.mhanational.org

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Experienced Disability Advocate Alexandria Baland Joins Pond Lehocky Disability


Pond Lehocky Stern Giordano Disability is pleased to announce that it has added Alexandria Baland as a Social Security disability associate with the nationwide advocacy group. Ms. Baland has dedicated most of her career to providing legal assistance to disabled individuals. Her knowledge and experience should be a tremendous asset in helping the group serve those with disabilities.

Before joining Pond Lehocky Disability, Ms. Baland worked as an associate at New Jersey law firm, assisting disabled children and their families with matters including guardianship and special needs trusts. She also frequently spoke to groups for parent of disabled children regarding Social Security disability, special education and other related topics.

She has also served as a staff attorney at a New Jersey non-profit that provides free legal services to indigent clients, handling Social Security, housing and other civil matters. In addition, she has worked as a document review attorney, assisting a large Philadelphia law firm in pharmaceutical injury litigation.

While attending school, Ms. Baland emphasized service to the disabled. She graduated from Syracuse University College of Law’s Disability Law and Public Policy joint degree program, earning her J.D. and a master’s degree in disability studies and receiving recognition for her pro bono work. While there, she worked as a student attorney at the school’s Disability Rights Clinic, assisting the disabled with issues including special education, accessibility and prisoners’ rights. She also served as president of the Disability Law Society.

Ms. Baland earned her bachelor’s degree in political science and Spanish from Temple University, where she was a member of the school’s Division I rowing team. She is fluent in both English and Spanish.

Pond Lehocky Disability was the result of the tremendous growth of the law firm of Pond Lehocky Stern Giordano. After becoming the largest firm of its kind and assisting more than 85,000 Americans in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, the firm’s Social Security disability department became its own advocacy group – Pond Lehocky Stern Giordano Disability. Pond Lehocky Disability has teams of experienced disability attorneys and staff members exclusively dedicated to assisting clients with their SSD and Supplemental Security Income cases throughout all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

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