Human Services Council on WBAI – Wakeup Call

Human Services Council Executive Director Michael Stoller exposes the potential negative impact of the proposed New York budget on human services in his interview on WBAI’s Wakeup Call.

WBAI Wake Up Call Michael Stoller 6.29.10

For the full Wakeup Call broadcast visit WBAI.

Beth Shulman Will Be Missed

by Rochelle Lefkowitz, president & founder



It is with deep sadness that I write to announce the death of Beth Shulman, who died mid-day Friday, February 5, 2010, of pneumonia, a complication of the malignant brain cancer that took her from us far too soon.

Since 2003, to promote Beth’s landmark book, The Betrayal of Work (New Press, 2003) and her work–thanks to an introduction by the Communications Consortium and then six years of support from the Russell Sage Foundation–Pro-Media had the privilege of working with Beth, one of the most effective voices for low-wage workers, economic and social justice I’ve ever encountered.

Others are already acknowledging Beth’s many impressive successes—from chairing both the board of the National Employment Law Project and the Fairness Initiative on Low Wage Work, and her board memberships in American Rights @ Work and Wider Opportunities for Women, to being a Senior Fellow at Demos, former VP of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union and co-authoring an upcoming book on good jobs.

But it was not just what Beth did or her accomplishments that were significant, but how she was able to do all that she did, which distinguished her and inspired others.

A born social change agent, Beth made everyone in her presence feel special, important, equal and empowered. Whether you were Oprah Winfrey or the security guard at the studio, one of hundreds of journalists she spoke to about raising the minimum wage or a waitress at a diner, a top foundation executive or an entry level staffer at Pro-Media, Beth treated you with the same warmth, respect, dignity and enthusiasm that made you want to work harder to raise the minimum wage or secure paid sick days for low-wage workers, and so much more. She made these and so many complex policy challenges seem simple, achievable—and only fair.

Busy even by today’s extreme work standards, Beth always took time—to grab a cab to a last-minute interview, to ask how your project was going, to appreciate her husband’s steady support, to speak with pride about her colleagues’ achievements or her son’s. She taught me that until there’s economic justice, to leave a cash tip in hotel rooms for the women who cleaned them.

Her core belief in the power of mobilized, good people moved scores of rooms full of hundreds to give her standing ovations, hardboiled journalists who’d seen everything to look again and everyone who encountered Beth, in person, in the media, online or on paper to believe they counted and could and would help make this world better. She believed people could change, if you appealed to their best selves. Now it’s up to us to take in a bit of her magic, commitment and kindness to our own lives and take on her work.

One of the last times I saw Beth, she stopped our conversation to make sure we both could marvel at the freshly fallen snow.

An expression of Beth’s that I plan to keep using as she did for the rest of my days is: “We can make different choices.” Beth Shulman taught me in so many ways, that we can. And Beth, thanks to knowing you, we will.

National People’s Action featured on MSNBC

National People’s Action George Goehl appeared on MSNBC this morning (Oct. 27) to discuss the Showdown in Chicago. Pro-Media Communication continues its work with NPA to promote the taxpayer protests taking place in Chicago. For more information contact Coco Chang at (212) 245-0510.

VIDEO: The Meaning of Human Services

Here’s the latest Pro-Media produced video for one of our clients. This video, produced on behalf of the Human Services Council, explores the meaning of human services. It aims to explain what human services are and why they are necessary, especially by the underserved within communities in New York. Enjoy!

Demanding a banking system that puts Americans first

National People’s Action is among many sponsors of the “Showdown in Chicago.” A series of demonstrations of thousands of Americans will take to the streets of Chicago to demand a banking system that puts the American people first and a Congress that makes it happen!

This podcast features one group of people headed from the Northwest Bronx in New York to Chicago and the perspective of National People’s Action Executive Director George Goehl.

Linda Tarr-Whelan discusses increasing women in leadership roles

The following is a podcast that took place between Pro-Media Communications’ Sonal Bains and Linda Tarr-Whelan, author of the book “Women Lead the Way.” In this podcast, Linda discusses her solutions and strategies for increasing the number of women in leadership roles.

Pro-Media will continue to work with Linda during the book’s release. If you are interested in learning more about the book or posting this podcast (or the accompanying quiz below) to your blog, please contact Sonal Bains.

Additionally, here is a quiz pulled directly from the book. The answers are surprising.

Pro-Media praised at forum

A number of Pro-Media Communications staff attended the official release of the report “The Helpers Need Help: New York City’s Nonprofit Human Service Organizations, Persevering in Uncertain Times” Sept. 9. The panel drew more than 100 attendees to hear about the hardships New York’s nonprofits are facing in the current economic downturn.

We are so tremendously proud of the work we have done for the Human Services Council, whether it was producing a feature podcast about the report or securing media that highlights the struggles of human service providers in the following outlets: New York Times, City Limits, WNYC, WBAI-FM, the Chronicle of Philanthropy, New York Nonprofit Press, Queens Courier and several more.

But maybe our proudest moment was when Human Services Council Executive Director Michael Stoller praised the work Pro-Media has done on their behalf. It meant so much to hear Michael expertly explain the power and importance of finding their voice in the media — and the small part our work played in getting people outside the human service community to understand the challenges service providers face. Here’s a sampling of his comments.

Behind the scenes at New York’s FOX affiliate

by J Coco Chang, account manager

UPDATE: Here is a clip of an interview that took place on New York’s WBAI about the report “The Helpers Need Help.”

On Thursday I accompanied Pro-Media client the Human Services Council to a studio interview at FOX 5 in New York City. The segment will run on the “Street Talk” segment on Saturday, Sept. 12 during the 6 a.m. FOX 5’s Good Day program. It will also be available online here.

It was great to be back behind the scenes of a news program (something I am familiar with as a former TV producer). I was so glad to be there to provide support and help prepare Michael Stoller, executive director of the Human Services Council, as well as Gary Carter and Sarah Muller, both with Little Sisters of Assumption Family Health Services for the interview.

In the segment, they are discussing the severe challenges human service providers across New York City face in light of the economic downturn. A survey report that was sponsored by the Human Services Council and Baruch’s College School of Public Affairs has already gotten coverage in the New York Times, City Limits, WNYC, WBAI-FM, the Chronicle of Philanthropy, New York Nonprofit Press, Queens Courier and several more.

I captured some behind the scenes video and photos (available on our Flickr page). Here are the pictures:

Here is the final preparation for the news segment.

Here is the actual interview. The audio is not great, so make sure to watch the program Saturday morning!