E-mentoring
Choosing a Mentor
We have organized mentors according to their practice field or other area of expertise. This page also includes information on student mentors and following-up a mentoring session.
Practice Fields
Addictions (including dual diagnosis of mental illness): Robert Young, Clinical Social Worker-Day Treatment Program, Veterans Administration, MSW (University of Buffalo)
Watch video, learn more about addictions (Windows Media)
Administration: Hawanya Henley-Finch, Director, Community Helping To Achieve Abstinence Together-King Urban Life Center, BS in Social Work (Buffalo State College), MSW (University of Buffalo)
African Americans: Hawanya Henley-Finch, Director, Community Helping To Achieve Abstinence Together-King Urban Life Center, BS in Social Work (Buffalo State College), MSW (University of Buffalo)
AIDS: Eugene Abrahamson, Director of Volunteer Services, AIDS Community Services, BS in Social Work (Buffalo State College)
Children and families: Mark Boser, Director of Clinical Services, Child and Family Services, B.S. in Social Work (Buffalo State College), MSW (University of Buffalo); Belle Walls-Montree, Vice President, Child and Family Services, B.S. in Social Work (Buffalo State College), M.S. in Counselor Education (Syracuse University)
- Adolescents: Joan Fox, Director of School-based Counseling and Dropout Prevention Program, Good Shepherd Services, MSW (Columbia University), MA in Creative Therapy (Lesley University)
- Adoption: Judy Bellafaire, Community-based Clinician, In-home Parenting Program, Hillside Children’s Center, BS in Social Work (Buffalo State College)
- Child protection: Jason Waldron, caseworker, Genesee County Department of Social Services, BS in Social Work (Buffalo State College)
- Foster care: Louis Colca, Associate Professor, Social Work Department, Buffalo State College; MSW (University of Buffalo) ; Carole Colca, Child Welfare Consultant; MSW (University of Buffalo)
Watch video, learn more about foster care (Windows Media)
- Services to teen parents: Phyllis Pomerantz, Associate Professor, Social Work Department, Buffalo State College, MSW (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)
Community organizing: Diane Picard, Growing Green Program Coordinator, Massachusetts Avenue Project, MSW (Boston University)
Watch video, learn more about community organizing (Windows Media)
Creative therapy: Joan Fox, Director of School-based Counseling and Dropout Prevention Program, Good Shepherd Services, MSW (Columbia University), MA in Creative Therapy (Lesley University)
Criminal justice system: Janet DiPasquale, Director, TRY (Teaching and Restoring Youth), MSW (University of Buffalo)
Crisis Services: Jessica Pirro, Associate Director, Crisis Services, MSW (Syracuse University)
Learn more about Crisis Services.
Doctoral study: Kimberley Zittel-Palamara, Assistant Professor, Social Work Department, Buffalo State College; MSW (University of Buffalo), Ph. D. (University of Buffalo)
Domestic violence: Faith Hoffman, Women Veterans Program Manager and Domestic Violence Program Coordinator, Veterans Administration, MSW (University of Buffalo)
Emergency/disaster services: Leonora Cardenas, caseworker, American Red Cross, BS in Social Work (Buffalo State College)
Gap year: Amy Fleischauer, Coordinator of Trafficking Victims Services, International Institute, MSW (Columbia University)
Gay/lesbian/bi-sexual populations: Mark Boser, Director of Clinical Services, Child and Family Services, BS in Social Work (Buffalo State College), MSW (University of Buffalo)
Geriatrics: Kimberley Zittel-Palamara, Assistant Professor, Social Work Department, Buffalo State College, MSW (University of Buffalo), Ph. D. (University of Buffalo). Beth Chrymko, Primary Service Provider, Specialized Geriatric Services, BS in Social Work (Buffalo State College), MSW (University at Buffalo)
Watch video, learn more about geriatrics (Windows Media)
Grief counseling: Ruthellen Bunis, Senior Grief Therapist, Life Transitions Center Inc., MSW (University of Buffalo), Ph. D. (University of Buffalo)
Hispanics: Danny Castro, BS in Social Work (Buffalo State College)
Homeless: Sean Doherty, Case Manager, Crisis Services, BS in Social Work (Buffalo State College), MSW (University at Buffalo)
Internationals: Kevin Slattery, Job Developer, Journey’s End Refugee Services, BS in Social Work (Buffalo State College)
Mental health: Janine Porter, Social Worker II, Albion Correctional Facility, BS in Social Work (Buffalo State College), MSW (University of Buffalo)
Native Americans: Michele Wojnowicz, caseworker, Erie County Department of Social Services, BS in Social Work (Buffalo State College)
Persons with disabilities: Raymond Lorigo, BS in Social Work (Buffalo State College), MS in Student Personnel Administration (Buffalo State College)
- Developmental disabilities: Jennifer Scalisi, Director of Administrative Services, Community Services for the Developmentally Disabled, BA in Health and Human Services (University of Buffalo)
Watch video, learn more about persons with disabilities (Windows Media)
Research: Catherine Dulmus, associate professor, associate dean for research and research center director, University at Buffalo School of Social Work, B.S. in Social Work (Buffalo State College), M.S.W. (University of Buffalo), Ph.D. (University of Buffalo)
School social work: Jody Tucker-Kasprzyk, School Social Worker, Erie #1 BOCES, BS in Social Work (Buffalo State College), MSW (Adelphi University)
Veterans: Robert Young, Clinical Social Worker-Day Treatment Program, Veterans Administration, MSW (University of Buffalo)
Women: Faith Hoffman, Women Veterans Program Manager and Domestic Violence Program Coordinator, Veterans Administration, MSW (University of Buffalo)
What to do after connecting with a mentor
Send an e-thank you message to the mentor! Complete the online evaluation form to let us know about your experience. We really want to know how things went and if this service was valuable to you. If you have any questions or concerns, contact Dr. Ronnie Mahler or Professor Deborah Renzi
Student mentors
Want to talk to a student in the Student Social Work Organization or Phil Alpha Honor Society? Contact Aubrey Sedor or Janelle Ploetz.
