News

The Long Island Coalition Against Bullying celebrated 10 years in the fight against bullying on Long Island with its annual gala at the Woodside Club in Muttontown, New York.  The event honored Director of Operations of Huntington based insurance agency Borg Insurance Agency and Associates, Mr. Sean Bickoff as well as awarded its Resiliency Award to the Suffolk County Sheriff Dr. Errol D. Toulon, Jr.

The Long Island Coalition Against Bullying was honored to be recognized as the Nonprofit of the Year at the 2023 Long Island Business News Corporate Citizenship Awards. Accepting the award on behalf was Founder and Executive Director Joe Salamone and Board Chair Cara D'Agostino.

Executive Director and founder Joe Salamone stood alongside his fellow nonprofit colleagues and Legislator Joshua A. Lafazan as they recognized suicide prevention, the 988 hotline and the many resources that all members of the community have access to if they are in a crisis.

"Over the last 10 years since The Long Island Coalition Against Bullying began, we have seen an alarming rise in the number of bullied kids who not only contemplate but complete suicide. We must continue to amplify the message that seeking help is not only an option, but an imperative. We must also not stop just at helping those struggling, but continue to educate those around us on the consequences of bullying, depression, and suicide and encourage everyone to have the courage to check on one another." - Joe Salamone

We are incredibly honored to announce that our Executive Director Joe Salamone has been appointed by Governor Kathy Hochul to a new state task force on cyberbullying, effective August 1, 2023. More information and updates to follow.

In partnership with the Deer Park School District, at the annual Senior Awards Ceremony, LICAB presented its Community Upstander Scholarship Award. The award, a $1,000 scholarship, is given to a graduating senior who shows a strong desire to support and accept others around them and who, along with a strong sense of integrity, has embraced anti-bullying strategies and works to preserve the dignity among all students. This year, the award was presented to Ms. Yasmine Sanchez. Congratulations, Yasmine!

LICAB was thrilled to once again participate in the Sayville Strides Carnival! What an amazing event filled with so much fun and community engagement. We loved the conversations that we had with the students and the community and are so appreciative of the wonderful notes everyone wrote to include in our Smile Packages!

LICAB Executive Director Joe Salamone met with New York State Mario Mattera to discuss a wide range of issues including pending legislative initiatives aimed at bullying and schools and the great work LICAB is doing across our communities.

LICAB co-hosted with Ark Technology Consultants an important discussion for school districts DASA: Navigating the Dignity for All Students Act, sponsored in part by Jovia Financial Credit Union and moderated by Lisa DeMarco.

The event, attended by over 70 school officials including superintendents, principals, social workers and guidance counselors from across Long Island addressed best practices for DASA as well as answered some key questions regarding bullying and school responsibilities. Thank you to panelists:

• Joe Salamone, LICAB Executive Director
• Matthew Pomara (MMP) of Ark Technology Consultants
• Bob Vecchio, Executive Director of the Nassau/Suffolk School Boards Assoc.
• Mark Secaur, Superintendent of Smithtown Central School District
• Christopher Shishko, Partner, Law Firm of Guercio & Guercio

“Tomorrow, in a sign of our progress against COVID-19, the mask mandate within schools will be rescinded thus making masks optional for students and staff.

While each of us may have our own personal opinions on whether or not this mandate should be lifted, it is important that we all maintain respect for the choices that will be made on an individual basis.

I urge all parents to take this opportunity to speak to their children about the importance of tolerance, respect and acceptance of individual choices. Remind them that some of their peers might continue to wear a mask while others will choose not to - and in both scenarios, it is okay.

As we move into the next phase of the pandemic, and hopefully continue to move into a post pandemic world, we must continue to support each other and serve as role models for our children who are looking to us now more than ever for guidance.

As always, The Long Island Coalition Against Bullying stands ready to help any child, family or school impacted by bullying and we urge anyone who might need assistance to reach out to us by calling (516)777-7709, emailing help@licab.org or visiting our website at www.LICAB.org.”

On November 7th LICAB hosted its Inaugural Anti-Bullying 5K Run/Walk along with Nassau County Legislator Joshua Lafazan on a beautiful and crisp autumn morning in Eisenhower Park! The event which included over 100 participants and raised over $6,000 was a huge success! We thank all of those who participated, donated and sponsored the event.

In October we proudly brought back our Annual Fall Gala which was cancelled in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Returning to our storied home of Woodside Club in Muttontown, supporters of LICAB's anti-bullying efforts on Long Island joined together in raising much needed funds, celebrating the accomplishments that were made in the 2020-2021, and looking forward to the work already underway in the 2021-2022 academic year.

Executive Director Joe Salamone sat down with News12’s Eileen Lehpamer to talk about former Facebook employee Frances Haugen’s whistleblower testimony on the dangers of social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.

LICAB and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island (BBBSLI) Host Partnership Kickoff Breakfast

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island and the Long Island Coalition Against Bullying (LICAB) are joining forces for a collaborative and synergistic partnership to harness the power of mentoring and anti-bullying prevention to support Nassau and Suffolk County children and youth. LICAB’s mission emphasizes the importance of bully-free communities on Long Island through education, increased awareness, and therapeutic outlets. In contrast, BBBSLI’s mission is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.

The $5,000 Spring 2021 Asaf German Anti-Bullying Scholarship to Matthew Friedman of Oceanside High School.

The Long Island Coalition Against Bullying was presented with a beautiful hand crafted and hand painted mural to help “Spark Kindness” by Ashleigh Golden of St. James. Ashleigh created the project for her Girl Scout Gold Project.

The Long Island Coalition Against Bullying in continued partnership with the Sayville School District, awarded the LICAB Community Leadership Awards to ten students for quarters one and two.

LICAB has proudly collaborated with the Long Island Nets on their “Team Up for Unity” initiative aimed at informing, educating and inspiring awareness, diversity and inclusion in sports.

The Long Island Coalition Against Bullying, represented by Executive Director Joe Salamone, alongside other local experts, took part in a roundtable discussion centered around cyberbullying. The event was hosted by New York State Senator Todd Kaminsky.

The Long Island Coalition Against Bullying in continued partnership with the Sayville School District, awarded the LICAB Community Leadership Awards to ten students for quarters one and two.

LICAB Earns Citation from New York State Assemblyman Michael LiPetri for Outstanding Contributions to Society

On October 28th, LICAB Executive Director Joe Salamone along with Nassau County Executive Laura Curran and Nassau County Legislator Joshua Lafazan (District 18) proclaimed October as Bullying Prevention Month and commemorated it with lighting the dome of the Theodore Roosevelt Executive Office Building blue.

"In response to the growing crisis related to the spread of COVID-19 and out of respect for the health of our staff, participants and vendors, we have decided to postpone the 7th Annual Golf Open scheduled for May 11, 2020 until Thursday, October 1, 2020.

Additionally, while we all are doing our part to combat the spread of COVID-19, we wanted to communicate our continuing and steadfast commitment to the Long Island community.

With schools executing methods of distance learning during the time of school closures, this means an increase in screen time which could mean an increase in the possibility of cyberbullying. We encourage all students to utilize the increase in screen time appropriately and for the purposes of distance learning and education.

We urge all parents to be mindful of screen time and its usage. Should there be any issues that arise related to cyberbullying please feel free to reach out to us at (516)777-7709 or e-mail help@licab.org.

While we are taking all necessary precautions in accordance with all federal, state and county guidance to stop the spread of COVID-19 and encourage all to do the same, we continue to be in a strong position to best help families and children."

For his exemplary commitment to the Long Island community and his efforts to combat bullying in our communities the Long Island Nets awarded the Executive Director of The Long Island Coalition Against Bullying, Joe Salamone, the Community Hero of the Game.

Massapequa Park, NY (May 21, 2019) – In an effort to provide parents and kids with an additional pathway to help and support, PM Pediatrics today announced a pilot program collaboration with the Long Island Coalition Against Bullying (LICAB) to provide a confidential referral to resources that can help combat bullying.

"We are alarmed by the recent stories about the horrific bullying incidents occurring in our Long Island communities.

These stories are difficult to hear, and we applaud the bravery of the children and families coming forward to tell them. They remind us that bullying is a serious issue that occurs every single day in our communities and must be addressed.

We must remember that this issue is not one that can be solved by pointing fingers at one party or another. From parents to peers, schools to nonprofits, private citizens to government officials, we all play a role in this issue and bear responsibility for the protection of our children.

Rest assured that the Long Island Coalition Against Bullying is working diligently every day to work with all parties involved to combat bullying here on Long Island and we stand ready to assist anyone who needs our help."

“We applaud the Nassau County Legislature for their successful passage of the bill to create a Bullying Prevention & Awareness Website for Nassau County.

This is an important step in ongoing efforts to combat bullying on Long Island and gives victims, families and schools more centralized resources in their time of need.

We would like to thank Legislator Lafazan and his team for their leadership and commitment to combatting bullying as well as to those who have worked to see this legislation passed.”

Long Island student took his life reportedly following experiences with bullying

FARMINGDALE, NY November 6, 2017 – The Executive Director and Founder of the Long Island Coalition Against Bullying (LICAB) Mr. Joseph Salamone, reflected today on the tragic passing of Mr. Angelo Collazo, a high school student from Hicksville, Long Island, who sadly took his own life, reportedly following experiences with bullying.

LICAB Press Release / Read Full Release

Bullied Student Murdered and Attacked Classmates

FARMINGDALE, NY September 28, 2017 – The Executive Director and Founder of the Long Island Coalition Against Bullying (LICAB) Mr. Joseph Salamone, reflected today on the tragic passing of Mr. Matthew McCree, a 15-year-old student murdered by his classmate, Mr. Abel Cedeno, 18, following a period of suspected bullying.

LICAB Press Release / Read Full Release

FARMINGDALE, NY – The Long Island Coalition Against Bullying has partnered with Cohen Children’s Medical Center, a part of Northwell Health, to provide resources for adolescents affected by bullying.

LICAB Press Release / Read Full Release

Long Island student took his life following experience with bullying

FARMINGDALE, NY September 26, 2016 – The Executive Director and Founder of the Long Island Coalition Against Bullying (LICAB) Mr. Joseph Salamone, reflected today on the tragic passing of Mr. Brendan Carr, a middle school student from Long Beach, Long Island, following an experience with bullying.

LICAB Press Release / Read Full Release

The Long Island Coalition Against Bullying (LICAB) is pleased to announce that it has been granted federal recognition and tax exempt status under Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3).

LICAB Press Release / Read Full Release