Background: This article examines the intersection of two global trends, super-diversity and globalized aging, in the context of urban communities. Super-diversity refers to the impact of changing immigration patterns on social, health, and economic systems. Interdisciplinary by definition, gerontological social work practice bridges macro, mezzo, and micro modalities, as well as professional and disciplinary false divides.Objectives: The authors aim to highlight how urban gerontology practice can benefit from reaching across borders and boundaries. Goals include identifying best practices of care that can serve as models in a range of environments.Methods: The authors used a qualitative case study approach. Data collection consisted of individual interviews and focus groups.Findings: Findings suggest the ongoing relevance of ecological theory in the context of identifying best practices in social work gerontology.Discussion: Through the lens of super-diversity and globalized aging, the authors examine processes and impacts at the intersection of migration, advanced age, and care systems in the urban context. Findings indicate the need to further de-colonize aging care.

Background:Mindfulness has grown in popularity over the years. Mindfulness is described as a practice that encourages individuals to focus on what is currently happening without aiming for change. Its focus on the present allows those practicing it to remain firm in a stance that allows for forgiveness in both the past and the future. Mindfulness has been proven beneficial to those overcoming extreme stress or trauma. A common population affiliated with extreme stress and trauma would be those in an incarcerated setting.Objective:This article aims to explore the relationship between mindfulness and those in correctional settings.Methods:Mindfulness allows those in correctional settings to explore positive attitudes toward themselves.Findings:The concept also explores forgiveness and themes of self-compassion, as it allows for the humanization of those incarcerated.Conclusions:The versatility of mindfulness is discussed in its benefits to other populations aside from those incarcerated.

Background:In the realm of collective public housing, certain societal segments currently favor low-rise residential blocks due to their affordability and lower number of dwelling units per block, thus affording increased privacy for residents. However, the concept of associating residents’ benefits with social relationships has yet to garner sufficient attention.Objective:This article seeks to understand and examine the impact of public housing on the sense of community (SOC) within a public housing community.Methods:The study was conducted at the Bangalore Development Authority Jnanabharathi Residential Enclave in Kengeri, Bengaluru, Karnataka. This understanding was attained through a comprehensive review of existing literature and an on-site evaluation carried out using questionnaire surveys and photographs for visual interpretations.Findings:The results indicated a relatively deficient sense of ownership within the community. Homeowners exhibited higher levels of community involvement and engagement in various activities compared with tenants.Conclusions:Furthermore, the study recommends that public authorities reevaluate their perspectives on public housing developments and develop a policy-oriented approach for planning, design, and additional amenities to foster a stronger SOC belonging.

Background:The HOPE VI program was initiated to transform public housing and improve the lives of low-income households. Its effectiveness in achieving these goals remains a subject of debate, necessitating a comprehensive review of its impact.Objective:This study aims to evaluate the influence of the HOPE VI program on various social outcomes for low-income households, particularly focusing on the effects of relocation to potentially more favorable residential areas.Methods:The study employs a literature review methodology, analyzing a range of scholarly works, including peer-reviewed articles and relevant project reports. It assesses the impact of the HOPE VI program on the quality of life of relocates and examines the relationship between residential environmental changes and the effectiveness of relocation interventions.Findings:The review reveals a complex picture of the HOPE VI program’s impact. While some low-income families benefit from improved living conditions and neighborhood environments, others face challenges adapting to new communities. The study highlights the importance of subjective people–place relationships, revealing that emotional attachments to neighborhoods play a crucial role in the success of relocation efforts.Conclusions:The findings underscore the need for policymakers to consider the emotional connections residents have with their neighborhoods. A deeper understanding of these relationships can inform better-designed interventions that support low-income households in adjusting to new residential areas, ultimately leading to more effective and humane housing policies.

Background:Despite the many roles spoken language interpreters play, there is little evidence exploring the assumed roles and their corresponding emotional impact when working with refugees in health and human services.Methods:Using Constructivist Grounded Theory, our team explored the experiences of 11 interpreters who had undergone migration to the United States to understand the roles they identify with and how those roles intersect with their emotional responses to clients’ stories, trauma, and shared experiences.Findings:Our findings indicate that interpreters embody diverse roles and exhibit a spectrum of emotional responses, including being a “voice,” a “cultural broker,” an “advocate,” and “being human.” These roles were linked to emotional responses ranging from workplace stress, empathy, and emotional toll to growth and satisfaction.Conclusions:Our field needs to address interpreters’ emotional needs and advocate for work environments that value inclusivity and the recognition of interpreters as vital members of the therapeutic alliance.

African American PhD students are severely underrepresented in the attainment of PhDs compared with their White counterparts and, therefore, underrepresented as PhD professors. Key factors contributing to the lack of African American students seeking doctoral education include financial hardship, racial discrimination, and a lack of mentorship. The purpose of this qualitative study is to investigate the experiences and meaning of African American social work students enrolled in a PhD qualitative research methods course at a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). Results from this study will shed light on Black scholars’ experiences in obtaining a doctoral education, identify challenges and barriers in completing a doctoral program, and contribute to ideas on how to increase the number of Black scholars in HBCU PhD.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (2020) reported 85% of the U.S. prison population had a substance use disorder (SUD) or was incarcerated for drug-use crimes. Applying Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, Substance Use Program funds, the Palm Beach County Office of Behavioral Health, and SUDs developed a comprehensive person-centered, recovery-oriented approach. This mixed-methods study (N= 36) examined how social capital, housing stability, and recovery-oriented care impacted personal capital, rearrest, and housing stability in criminal-justice-involved individuals with SUDs. Of the 36 participants, 86% (n= 31) did not have a rearrest, and 70% of participants were then employed shortly after their Comprehensive Opioid Stimulant Substance Use Program enrollment. Three major themes emerged from the interviews (n= 8): beginning recovery, peer navigation, and housing stability. This study demonstrates that housing stability, peer-support specialists, and care coordination are vital to increase recovery capital, aiding recovery, and reducing recidivism.

The disproportionate racial impact of gentrification-induced displacement is becoming more of a topic of debate because of the growing evidence and continued outcry of institutional and systemic racism from communities of color. The lack of research in tracking displacement requires new approaches to studying gentrification to address the challenges of investigating the impact on communities of color. In addition to studying the economic, political, and socially motivated reasons for gentrification, the application of a racism-centered framework can shed light on the role of white hegemony in community and urban development policies and practices. Social work researchers can significantly contribute to the body of literature regarding the impact of gentrification-induced displacement of African American residents by applying one of the many social work frameworks in research. Understanding the disproportionate racial impact of displacement on indigenous residents can inform social policies regarding community development strategies and propose interventions to mitigate the impact.

Coronavirus has struck the entire world, and its effects are tragic for all. At the same time, coronavirus outbreaks in the United States for Blacks are more widespread. Tens of thousands of African Americans have lost lives, while uncertainty is abundant throughout the pandemic. The number of casualties from this crisis continues to rise for African Americans and is disproportionate in comparison to other ethnic and racial groups. There is a historical and contemporary epoch for African Americans linked to the existing state of coronavirus in this population. Critical race theory is utilized in the narrative and shows how the injustice of racism transformed the disparate health experiences in African Americans’ coronavirus cases. Racism should be examined as a basic serious account for determinants of health that necessitate multiple manifestations of disparities. Social workers’ responses to intertwined racism and health are indicated regarding the phenomena of coronavirus on this population.

Access to emergency food is critical for the survival and health of vulnerable populations, but its importance is not understood in the context of food deserts. Using a cross-sectional survey based on Albany and Troy, New York, we compared the two food desert models, one based on paid (e.g., grocery stores) and the other based on free food options (e.g., emergency food sites such as pantries and soup kitchens). Structural equation modeling was conducted to identify pathways among people’s access to food sites, food consumption patterns, food insecurity, and health conditions. Access to grocery stores did not show significant links to food insecurity or health conditions, whereas access to emergency food, especially time taken to such food outlets, was found to be a significant factor for increased consumption of fresh food. Among the diet-related variables, food insecurity showed the strongest link to negative health outcomes. Access to free or low-cost options needs to be taken into consideration when designing research and practice concerning food deserts, food insecurity, and subsequent health effects.