Each week, Selfhelp’s Virtual Senior Center, using modern technology in the form of a webcam and a computer, brings together culturally diverse seniors for the current events discussion. Six participants surround a small conference table, their heads turned to a large screen that features the rest of the group - homebound seniors who are visible to all. 

Sofya Mullakandova, a student in the Touro Graduate School of Social Work, seamlessly reduces the distances that separate the two groups of participants, incorporating each member into the conversation. 

“Current events are a very important activity for people at home because it allows them to be heard, and Sofya is very good at facilitating interaction, the group experience and socialization,” said Scott Code, Selfhelp’s program director for client-centered technology. “She makes it possible for them to be connected and to be part of the community, and it’s really changed their lives.” 

Indeed, Sofya welcomes the participants’ reactions, insights and opinions, many of them shaped not only by their passion for the news but their lifetime experiences. 

On this particular morning, Sofya brings up a range of news developments, including President Obama urging China to restrain North Korea from aligning with Iran and a couple inviting Queen Elizabeth to the celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary since they were staying in the same hotel as the Queen. Sofya also brought up the Toulouse tragedy - in which a gunman killed three children and a teacher at a Jewish school. 

For her easygoing, inclusive manner and topic choices, Sofya earned rave reviews from the participants. “Some of the news that Sofya brings up I didn’t know about, so this lets me catch up,” said one of the seniors. 

“So many other things occupy my time that I appreciate Sofya giving me ideas to think about and presenting issues that people are talking about,” said another. 

For her part, Sofya said that she makes a concerted effort to find topics that appeal to the current events group and before each session, she combs news websites for articles to present to the seniors. 

“I enjoy the interaction I have with the seniors and the interaction they have with each other,” she said. “I look forward to this each week.” 

Leading the current events group is only part of what Sofya does as a grad student. After the activity, she typically has appointments with homebound seniors to review, reassess and update their records and, of equal importance, to pay them a friendly visit. 

“There are many lonely seniors, and I am glad I can help in this way,” said Sofya, who received her undergraduate degree in human services from Touro College. “I enjoy helping people, and I chose social work because it is such a giving profession.” 

And it’s that kind of commitment that attracts employers to Touro’s social work graduates. 

“Touro has an amazing capacity to provide us with people who have a real good heart,” says Hanan Simhon, program director at Selfhelp Community Services, Inc., Queens North Program. 

From Vision & Values, Winter 2013