The Spark WITF, Inc.

 

From Scott LaMar, co-host of The Spark.

After 32 years at WITF I’m retiring at the end of this week. On The Spark Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, we’re airing several of my most memorable conversation. Tuesday, we go back to September of 2019 when Sue Klebold appeared on the program.

On April 20, 1999, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold walked into Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. Over the course of minutes, they would kill twelve students and a teacher and wound twenty-four others before taking their own lives.

Since then, Sue Klebold, Dylan’s mother, has lived with the indescribable grief and shame of that day. How could her child, the promising young man she had loved and raised, be responsible for such horror? And how, as his mother, had she not known something was wrong? Were there subtle signs she had missed? What, if anything, could she have done differently?

Sue Klebold wrote a book -- A Mother’s Reckoning: Living in the Aftermath of Tragedy, in which she talks about Dylan’s seemingly normal childhood, the day of the Columbine shooting and the years afterwards when she grieved and struggled to understand her son and what’s she’s learned about mental health or brain health as she refers to it.

Mother and author Sue Kebold appears on this special edition of The Spark.

 
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Coming up on this week's program, 

A new report shows just how dire Pennsylvania's teacher shortage is. Also, the role of bail in criminal cases.
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Denzel Brown, a native of Lancaster and a graduate of McCaskey High School, has carved a path of academic and professional achievement that underscores his commitment to economic empowerment. Brown furthered his education at Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) and Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. His career trajectory includes significant experience in the banking sector, having worked at Santander Bank, BB&T, and First National Bank of Pennsylvania. During his tenure in these institutions, Brown excelled as a lender and relationship manager, cultivating vital business relationships and gaining valuable insights into financial services.

Brown's expertise and passion have led him to ASSETS, a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming communities through social enterprise and economic development. He firmly believes that the key to bridging the economic gap for women and minorities lies in business ownership and success, which can be fostered through accessible business capital tailored to these often underserved markets. This perspective is informed by his understanding of the systemic barriers that these groups face when navigating traditional lending channels.

Statistical evidence underscores the challenges that minority communities encounter in the financial sector. As recently as 2019, a significant portion of Black and Hispanic households were without basic banking services. Specifically, 13.8 percent of Black households and 12.2 percent of Hispanic households lacked a checking or savings account, a stark contrast to the 2.5 percent of white households without such accounts. This disparity is often attributed to a deep-seated mistrust of banks among many Black and Hispanic individuals, a sentiment that Brown recognizes and seeks to address through his work.

Brown's approach involves not just providing knowledge but also ensuring that business capital is readily available and specifically tailored to meet the needs of minority entrepreneurs. By doing so, he aims to foster an environment where economic success is attainable for all, thereby narrowing the economic divide. His work at ASSETS reflects a broader mission to empower communities by dismantling financial barriers and creating inclusive opportunities for economic growth.
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Shelby Witmer, a seasoned family and child services worker with over 25 years of experience in education, recently addressed the critical issue of how poor mental health contributes to the school-to-prison pipeline. Witmer emphasized the need for new systems to support vulnerable and misunderstood children. With a strong focus on mental health advocacy and creating trauma-informed communities, she highlighted the work of Mental Health America of Lancaster County (MHALC). At MHALC, the commitment to helping individuals achieve mental well-being is paramount. The organization advocates for a holistic approach to health, emphasizing the importance of nurturing the mind, body, and spirit. While many people focus on physical health through diet and exercise and spiritual health through personal beliefs, mental health often remains neglected. Witmer pointed out that neglecting mental health undermines the ability to achieve one’s full potential.

MHALC’s mission is to promote optimal mental health through advocacy, education, and support. Witmer's visit underscored the organization's dedication to fostering a community where mental wellness is foundational. She called for greater awareness and systemic changes to better support children at risk of entering the school-to-prison pipeline, stressing that mental health care is essential for a healthy, thriving society. Through their work, MHALC aims to create a society that values and actively supports mental well-being, recognizing its critical role in overall health.
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The immensely talented spoken word artist Thunda Khatt recently stopped by to share insights into her creative world and discuss her latest endeavor, THUNDA N MIMOSAS 'Men Have Feelings Too.' This dynamic and captivating poetry showcase is set to take place at the renowned Zoetropolis Theatre in Lancaster, promising to be a highlight of the local arts scene. During her visit, Thunda Khatt delved into the inspiration and passion driving this event, offering a glimpse into what attendees can expect from this compelling experience.

Scheduled for June 9th, MEN HAVE FEELINGS TOO is a poetry showcase dedicated to shedding light on the emotional experiences and vulnerabilities of men. This event aims to create a thought-provoking dialogue about masculinity and the often-overlooked topic of men handling their emotions. By bringing these issues to the forefront, Thunda Khatt hopes to foster a deeper understanding and empathy within the community. The MEN HAVE FEELINGS TOO showcase is a special edition of the popular poetry brunch series curated by the inimitable Thunda Khatt. Featuring an all-male cast and crew, this event aligns with Men’s Mental Health Month in June, making it a timely and significant occasion. The showcase is set for Sunday, June 9th at 11:30 AM, and promises to offer a poignant and reflective brunch event that attendees won’t want to miss.

During her discussion on The Spark, Thunda Khatt emphasized the importance of creating platforms where men can express their emotions freely and without judgment. She highlighted that societal expectations often suppress men's emotional expressions, leading to detrimental effects on their mental health. By providing a supportive environment through MEN HAVE FEELINGS TOO, Thunda Khatt aims to challenge these norms and encourage men to embrace and articulate their feelings. And as tickets are limited, Thunda Khatt urges those interested to secure their seats soon. This event not only promises to be an artistic triumph but also a meaningful contribution to the ongoing conversation about mental health and emotional well-being, particularly among men. Whether you are a poetry enthusiast or someone interested in the complexities of human emotions, this event is sure to offer valuable insights and inspiration.
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Horticulturalist Erica Jo Shaffer was on The Spark Thursday at the height of the growing season with gardening tips.

May can be the best late spring month but there’s a lot of do to keep the plants, flowers, trees and garden healthy and thriving.

We’ve had a lot of rain this month so how does it affect the garden, what fertilizers are the most effective that are also environmentally friendly, how the insects in the garden – some are bad but others are essential. Are you feeding birds or even hummingbirds this spring?

These are all topics Erica addressed on the program.
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