Apply for the Playstreets Program June 5th Deadline!!

Parks & Rec has extended the application deadline for our summer Playstreets program to Friday, June 5.
The Playstreets program closes designated streets to traffic so that kids have a safe place to play when school is out. A key feature of the program is the nutritious meals and snacks provided to children.
If you already have an application to submit, please mail it to:

Summer Food Program
Attn: Wydeeia Williams
2101 W. Cecil B. Moore Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19121

If you want to host a Playstreet but do not have a hard copy application, please email Wydeeia.Williams@phila.gov to request one.

Visit our Playstreets webpage to learn more about hosting requirements and program activities.

SKCP staff connects you to resources

SKCP staff are specially trained to connect folks with resources related to housing, health insurance, utilities, food assistance, and other increasingly critical support, and will continue to be responsive to:

• email info@southkensingtoncommunity.org

• phone calls (215-427-3463), please be sure to leave a detailed message with your name and phone number, so we can provide you with as much service as possible in these trying times.

WEEKLY FREE FOOD DISTRIBUTION!!

Help Us Spread the Word!!

Beginning next Saturday, June 6th, SKCP, Arab American CDC and NLNA will partner with Share to begin weekly distribution of free food including fresh produce.

No identification or proof of income needed.

Pick up site will be Al Aqsa Islamic Society
at 1500 Germantown Av.

Time and further details available soon.

Please check in with your neighbors and help us spread the word.

La Esquina Garden Farm Stand Day!!

Vote in Tuesday's PA Primary Election.

Your new polling place in Old/South Kensington is probably Cruz Rec Center or Towey Rec Center. See below . . .

Drop-Off Locations for Mail-in Ballots in Southeast Pennsylvania

For locations to return your voted mail-in ballot in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery or Philadelphia County, click here. Individual voters must return their own ballots.

To guarantee your vote will be received before the deadline at 8 pm on June 2nd, we strongly recommend using a drop-off location. The typical 1-2 day USPS delivery time for mail within the region is not guaranteed. Ballots postmarked before the deadline but received after 8 pm on Election Day will not be counted.

• Track the status of your ballot.

• Have questions or concerns about voting by mail? Check out our FAQ.

• Polling locations will be open on June 2nd, but due to COVID-19, many polling places have been moved and consolidated. Check your polling place here. Voters are urged to wear masks and gloves, but personal protective gear is not required to vote.

• If you've applied for an absentee or mail-in ballot but haven't received it, you can vote by provisional ballot at your polling place.

In the three days leading up to Primary Election Day, Philadelphia City Commissioners staff and C70’s VOTESWAGON will meet voters in various Philadelphia neighborhoods to allow them to drop off their completed mail ballots. Individual voters must return their own ballots.

For dates, times, and locations, click here for Philadelphia.

A secure '24/7' drop box is located at Philadelphia City Hall by the south portal.
Mobile drop-off locations will be available from Saturday (5/30) to Sunday (6/1).

There will be locations available where voters can drop off their ballots on Election Day, June 2nd, for Philadelphia, click here.

Updated information will be available at philadelphiavotes.com+ Philly: Vote now by dropping your ballot into a special box at City Hall. Max Marin, BillyPenn. Read here.

+ Voting is different in Philly this year. Here’s what you need to know for Tuesday’s coronavirus primary.
Jonathan Lai, Inquirer. Read here.

+ Learn how to vote by mail in Philadelphia ahead of PA's elections on June 2. (Ceiba Philadelphia) in English (video, pdf) and Spanish (video, pdf)

Call for SKCP Board Members

+ The SKCP board is looking to grow!
+ Are you interested in getting more involved in the neighborhood?
+ Have ideas for how SKCP can better meet the current and long-term needs of our community?


Fill out our Board Interest Form.

Submitting the form does not commit you to anything, it just lets us know who is interested in learning more. We have a particular need for financial, accounting, or business management skills, but welcome a broad range of experiences and expertise. Neighbors of all backgrounds are encouraged to reach out.

Community Virtual Meeting

Civic Design Review (CDR) Virtual Meeting

May 27th, 2020 at 6.30 pm

SKCP will host a virtual public meeting via Zoom to discuss the plan for 1501-1525 N. American Street, a by-right plan that is subject to Civic Design Review.

Virtual Public Meeting Date & Time:  May 27, 2020 at 6:30 PM.

Click here to view the plan.

To sign up to attend this meeting, please visit (click) this form:  https://forms.gle/fHz5zvcWi2ZqnT2RA.

If you would prefer, you may also sign up by calling South Kensington Community Partners’ office at 215-427-3463 and leaving a message with your name and number. SKCP will provide instructions to join the meeting via web link or phone to eligible attendees.

COVID-19 INFORMATION

Download here the complete details.

Philadelphia has launched a new website that allows residents to search for food and meal sites around the city

• Food sites in the neighborhood

• Student meal sites in the neighborhood

• Senior meal sites in the neighborhood

Coalition Against Hunger

• SNAP Hotline at 215-430-0556, Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Coronavirus Testing sites for anyone with symptoms.

• Testing sites in the neighborhood:

• Click here to access the map
  This tool can help you find a free COVID-19 test in Philadelphia.
  (See our FAQ for more information about who should get tested.)

SKCP staff connects you to resources

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the office is closed to public visits until further notice, SKCP staff will be working remotely.

SKCP staff are specially trained to connect folks with resources related to housing, health insurance, utilities, food assistance, and other increasingly critical support, and will continue to be responsive to:

• email info@southkensingtoncommunity.org

• phone calls (215-427-3463), please be sure to leave a detailed message with your name and phone number, so we can provide you with as much service as possible in these trying times.

SIGN UP FOR THE NEIGHBOR SUPPORT TEAM

SKCP COVID 19: MORE WAYS TO HELP

How to grow food in your garden and share it with people who need it

Catalina Jaramillo, WHYY

As COVID-19 drives more demand for food pantries and more home growing, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society aims to change that with a new program: Harvest 2020. The initiative seeks to mobilize 100,000 gardeners to share their produce with local hunger relief organizations and donate funds to help the organization provide online resources and supplies to those in need. Harvest 2020’s ultimate goal is to supply local food banks and kitchens with at least 5 million pounds of fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables.

Read more here.

RED CROSS Blood Drive

WMGK & The Fillmore to host Red Cross blood drive
29 E Allen Street
May 28 and 29
8.30am - 1.30pm

The Fillmore and 102.9 WMGK are stepping up to host a special two-day blood drive with the American Red Cross on May 28 and 29, 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. to help ensure hospital patients continue to have access to lifesaving blood during the coronavirus pandemic. The drive will be held at The Fillmore, located at 29 E. Allen St., Philadelphia. In alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance, donation appointments are required to observe social distancing, and donors must wear a face covering. To schedule an appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org (click on "see times") and enter sponsor code Fillmore or call 1-800-REDCROSS.
As a thank-you for helping ensure a stable blood supply, all who come to give blood or platelets May 15-31 will receive a special Red Cross “We’re all in this together” T-shirt, by mail, while supplies last. Donors must have a valid email address on file to claim their T-shirt.
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff – have been implemented to safeguard donors, volunteers and employee

Availability of Donation Appointments
To support social distancing, appointments are now required. With thousands of blood drives cancelled during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are working hard to open new donation sites. If you don’t see available appointments near you in the near future, please search 7-10 days out. The need for blood is constant - patients need your help.

PUA: Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Update

For PUA claimants still experiencing issues filing for backdated weekly certifications, we are working to ensure you will be able to file for those weeks. If you have not informed us about backdating issues regarding your claim, please reach out to us at ucPUA@pa.gov with your full name and Claimant ID number.
If you have already notified us, know that we are trying to get to your questions as quickly as possible. Please do not send multiple emails as this may delay resolution of your inquiry.

In the meantime, make sure you continue to file your weekly certifications every week (Sunday through Saturday) to receive your PUA payments moving forward for those weeks.

We have created PUA System FAQs and will continue to add to them.

More details click here.

LIHEAP RECOVERY CRISIS PROGRAM NOW OPEN

Low-income customers who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and have a past-due bill may be eligible for up to $800 through LIHEAP’s (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) Recovery Crisis Program.
Visit pgworks.com/crisis for details.

The LIHEAP Recovery Crisis Program is open to renters and homeowners through August 31, 2020, or until funds run out, and do not have to be repaid.

APPLY ONLINE

If a PGW customer received a LIHEAP grant this past winter (fall 2019 - winter 2020) they can call 215-560-1583 to apply over the phone and verbally request the new crisis assistance.

Customers can also print and mail application to:
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
1348 W. Sedgley Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19132-2498
Download an Application – English / Spanish

Service termination notices are not required for customers to be eligible for the additional LIHEAP grants, which are administered by DHS and made possible by the U.S. CARES Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. The grants are available to both renters and homeowners and do not have to be repaid. Apply now while funds are available.

Apply before May 26th to request your ballot to vote by mail!!!

If you haven't requested your ballot to vote by mail, don't delay - be sure to apply before the May 26th deadline. Have questions or concerns about voting by mail? Check out Committee of Seventy FAQ. Polling locations will be open on June 2nd, but due to COVID-19, many polling locations have been moved and consolidated. Check your polling place here, expect lines, and vote safely.

COVID-19 INFORMATION

Download here the complete details.

Philadelphia has launched a new website that allows residents to search for food and meal sites around the city

• Food sites in the neighborhood

• Student meal sites in the neighborhood

• Senior meal sites in the neighborhood

Coalition Against Hunger

• SNAP Hotline at 215-430-0556, Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Coronavirus Testing sites for anyone with symptoms.

• Testing sites in the neighborhood:

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Click here to access the map

This tool can help you find a free COVID-19 test in Philadelphia.
(See our FAQ for more information about who should get tested.)

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If you are reporting on a project in the neighborhood, have questions or concerns send to: rco@southkensingtoncommunity.org

Philly 311 Hours
Philly311’s contact center remains open from 8 a.m. to 8 pm Monday through Friday and will also be open extended hours of 9 a.m. to 5 pm this weekend, May 8 and 9.
Residents can place a service request by calling 3-1-1ordialing (215) 686-8686 or through submitting service requests online.
Language translation services are available

Help Spread the Word About Voting By Mail: Download Free #VoteByMailPHL Artist Posters!

PHILLY: Election Day has moved to June 2, and did you know that anyone in PA can now Vote By Mail? Help us spread the word, download posters for free here!

Streets Dept is very excited to partner with Jen Devor and a few Philadelphia nonprofit organizations today to launch the #VoteByMailPHL poster project to educate Philadelphians on how to exercise their right to vote during the COVID-19 pandemic. The #VoteByMailPHL poster project will serve as one more tool for getting critical voting information out to Philadelphians before the June 2, 2020 primaries. Created by Jen Devor and curator Conrad Benner (aka me), this multilingual project is working with three of my favorite Philly artists to create the posters: Martha Rich, Marian Bailey, and Manuela Guillén!
Understanding art in our public space as a powerful tool for communication, the project works to encourage Philadelphians to display local artist-created posters in their window that informs their neighbors about voting by mail!

Read more here.

MASSIVE CHANGES FOR VOTERS IN 2020 ELECTIONS

Philly slashes polling places, 4 in 5 will not open for the June primary. Mail-in voting is the best way to go, election officials say. [ Max Marin, BillyPenn]

Your pooling place has changed but now you can vote by mail. Click here to locate your new pooling place.

To learn how to register and vote, go to: www.votespa.com/readytovote

Eligible voters must know:

• The voter registration deadline is Monday, May 18. Apply online.

• Consolidated polling place lists must be final and public by May 18. Locations should be posted to VotesPA.com and to county election websites.

• The deadline to request a mail-in ballot is Tuesday, May 26. Any registered Pennsylvanian voter can vote by mail, but applications must be returned to the county election office by 5 pm on May 26. Learn more.

• Absentee and mail-in ballots are due to county election officials by 8 pm on Election Day. Postmarks are not honored. **This deadline is currently being litigated and could change.**

PA vote by mail guidance video at this link in English but subtitled in Arabic, Chinese, French, Spanish and Vietnamese.

YouTube All Voting Is Local videos. Final draft of VBM app and ballot guidance in Arabic here.

DEADLINE SATURDAY MAY 16TH, at 5pm

Have you lost income because of COVID-19? Are you having trouble paying your rent? The City of Philadelphia might be able to help.
Funding is limited. Not every applicant will receive assistance. To apply and more details are available at PHLRentAssist.org. Renters who do not have access to the internet or a smart phone will be able to get program and application information by calling 3-1-1.

To be eligible:
• You must rent an apartment or house in Philadelphia
• You must have a valid and current written lease signed by your landlord
• You must have lost income because of COVID-19
You do NOT have to have been diagnosed with COVID-19 to be eligible.

You are NOT eligible if:
• You live in public housing
• You receive other government rental assistance
(Section 8, Housing Choice Vouchers, etc.)
• You have unpaid rent from before April
• You are in the process of being evicted.

Click here for details and FAQ

if you have a problem with the application click here for help.

COVID-19 NEWS & INFORMATION

Philadelphia has launched a new website that allows residents to search for food and meal sites around the city

Find free food and meals during Covid-19 (in several languages) clicking here.
+Food sites in the neighborhood:
West Kensington Ministry, 2140 N Hancock St (Philabundance)

• Residents can get one box per household

• Eligibility: Any resident is eligible. No ID or proof of income is required

• Pickup details:
  Monday 10AM - 12PM non-perishable items only
  Thursday 10AM - 12PM fresh produce only

+Student meal sites in the neighborhood:
Kensington Creative & Performing Arts High School, 1901 N. Front St. (Philadelphia School District schools)

• Eligibility: All children and youth are eligible. No ID is required.

• Pickup details: Thursday 9AM - 12PM, 10 meals per child

John F. Street Community Center, 1100 Poplar St. (Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) community centers)

• Eligibility: All children and youth are eligible. No ID is required.

• Pickup details:
  Monday 9AM - 12PM Breakfast and lunch
  Tuesday 9AM - 12PM Breakfast and lunch
  Wednesday 9AM - 12PM Breakfast and lunch
  Thursday 9AM - 12PM Breakfast and lunch
  Friday 9AM - 12PM Breakfast and lunch

William H. Hunter School, 2400 N. Front St. (Philadelphia School District schools)
EligibilityAll children and youth are eligible. No ID is required.
Pickup details
Thursday9AM - 12PM10 meals per child

+Senior meal sites in the neighborhood:
Lutheran Settlement House, 1340 Frankford Ave. (PCA-supported sites call 215-426-8610)

• Eligibility: Adults 60 and over are eligible at sites supported by the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA). Seniors must call ahead to reserve meals prior to pickup.

Northern Living Center, 827 N Franklin St. (PCA-supported sites, 215-978-1300)

• Eligibility: Adults 60 and over are eligible at sites supported by the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA). Seniors must call ahead to reserve meals prior to pickup.

CHCS Norris Square Center, 2121 N. Howard St (PCA-supported sites 215-423-7241)

• Eligibility: Adults 60 and over are eligible at sites supported by the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA). Seniors must call ahead to reserve meals prior to pickup.

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Coalition Against Hunger

SNAP Hotline at 215-430-0556, Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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Coronavirus Testing sites for anyone with symptoms.
Open to all ages: Where anyone with symptoms can get tested for coronavirus in Philadelphia. You can call for an appointment at 32 locations across the city.. [BillyPenn Staff].
Click here for more details and use the interactive map.
Testing sites in the neighborhood:
Call your doctor before visiting if you may have COVID-19. Source: CDC

• American Family Care (AFC) Urgent Care
  180 W. Girard Ave. (below Acme at 2nd & Girard), call (267) 319-8047

• 11th Street Family Health Services
  850 N. 11th St. (11th and Parrish), call (215) 769-1100

• Health Center #6
  301 W. Girard Ave call (215) 685-3800

• PHMC Health Connection
  1900 N 9th St. #104, call (215) 765-6690

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Resources for Immigrants During COVID-19:
A new blog post that highlights information and resources for immigrant and refugee communities is available on the City’s COVID-19 website, where you can find additional translated information. It also includes information about other services offered by our community partners. The resource is available in many languages. And, to make sure that it remains relevant, we will make sure to keep it updated.
You can also visit the main COVID-19 website or call 311 if you have more questions about city services. Interpretation services are available when calling 311.

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Philly COVID-19 FAQ
This site is an effort to provide easy access to accurate information and reporting that addresses the questions Philadelphians have about the coronavirus pandemic’s effects on life and work in the city. It is populated with reporting from local newsrooms across the city, and includes frequently asked questions, answers to which have been sourced from verified government sites or institutions.
We are not able to address medical or urgent questions, or those unique to your personal situation.
If you have questions of a medical nature, please call 1-800-722-7112.
If you’d like to submit a question please visit our submissions page or text COVIDphl19 to 73224.
The contents of this FAQ can be easily and cleanly embedded into your organization/company website with a simple line of code. If you’d like to make this information available to your website visitors, please contact julie@resolvephilly.org
More here.

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TRANSIT SERVICE UPDATE
Regular Schedules RESUME - Sunday, May 17/Monday, May 18, 2020
Service returns on all Bus*, Trolley, Market Frankford, Broad Street and Norristown High Speed Line Routes following the timetables in effect before the COVID-19 crisis began. FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION CLICK HERE.

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 Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)
PUA provides up to 39 weeks of benefits to qualifying individuals who are otherwise able to work and available for work within the meaning of applicable state law, except that they are unemployed, partially unemployed, or unable or unavailable to work due to COVID-19 related reasons, as defined in the CARES Act. Benefit payments under PUA are retroactive, for weeks of unemployment, partial employment, or inability to work due to COVID-19 reasons starting on or after January 27, 2020. The CARES Act specifies that PUA benefits cannot be paid for weeks of unemployment ending after December 31, 2020.

Click here to file PUA claim and click here for PUA Claimant Guide