Pennsylvania to resume work-search rule for jobless benefits

Marc Levy, AP News

Pennsylvania will resume work search requirements in July for hundreds of thousands of people receiving unemployment compensation, a top Wolf administration official said Monday. The requirement will affect all unemployment programs, including unemployment compensation and its extension, the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program and the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, the department said. The work-search requirement means people receiving unemployment benefits must apply for two jobs and complete one work-search activity from an approved list of seven options each week, such as attending a job fair, take a pre-employment test or post a resume or search for jobs in the state’s PA CareerLink system.

Read here

Senior Food Box & SNAP Hotline

Senior Food Box Program

The Senior Food Box Program works to improve the health of low-income seniors by supplementing their diets with nutritious USDA Foods. In Pennsylvania, eligible participants include low-income individuals who are at least 60 years old and whose household income is at or below 130 percent of the U.S. poverty level.

Senior Interested in Participating?
Seniors should fill out the self-certification form and submit it to PDA via email at RA-fooddist@pa.gov. using the subject line "SENIOR FOOD BOX APPLICATION." PDA will then route the application to the appropriate food bank providing service in the applicant's county of residence.

Applicants can also call 800-468-2433 to be directed to the regional food bank distributing the Senior Food Box in their county of residence. Refer to the Income Eligibility Guidelines.

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SNAP Hotline

Our SNAP Hotline continues to operate Monday – Thursday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and on Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at 215-430-0556.

• Click the link for the City of Philadelphia’s list of COVID-19 food distribution site locations across Philadelphia for student, senior and outdoor food pick up sites.
  

• Click the link for listings (phone numbers and addresses) of all Philadelphia County Assistance offices. While offices remain closed to the public at this time, you can drop off paperwork in "drop boxes" outside. Note, however, when calling it is often quicker to contact the Customer Service Center at 215-560-7226 (Philadelphia) or 877-395-8930 (statewide).

Saturday Food Distribution ends this Saturday

South Kensington Community Partners and the Arab American CDC offer our respect, gratitude, and appreciation to the Share Food Program and everyone who contributed over the last year to assisting our community through a difficult and unpredictable time.

THANK YOU
Share Food Program
Penn Treaty Special Services District
Al Aqsa Islamic Society
Al Amana Supermarket
Lost Bread Company
Cousins Supermarket
Cesar Andreú Iglesias Community Garden
La Esquina Community Garden
Northern Liberties Neighbors Association
Philly Counts
Punch Buggy

And of course to ALL of our neighbors including everyone who was able to receive and share food and to all those who volunteered to help with distribution and deliveries

REMINDER: SKCP COMMUNITY ZONING VIRTUAL MEETING

Wednesday, May 26th at 6.30 pm.

To register for the meeting click here

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 reasonable accommodation to any neighbor that requests additional assistance with joining the meeting or otherwise submitting feedback on the project.

The sites to be discussed at the meeting are the following:

• 6.30pm 1605-07 N 4th Street (view here the plan).

• 7.30pm 533 W Montgomery Ave (view here the plan).

We will have limited time for questions during the virtual meeting. To ensure your question is answered, please review project materials in advance of the meeting and submit any questions to rco@southkensingtoncommunity.org and include the project name in the email subject line.

Update: FREE FOOD PICKUP

We regret to inform you that our Saturday
food distribution will end May 29th,
Click here to view some alternatives.

SKCP about the Hancock Playground Incident

South Kensington Community Partners was saddened to learn of a shooting at Hancock Playground on Wednesday evening (May, 19th), which was witnessed by many community members who had gathered at the park for an evening of fresh air. This is the latest in a growing number of gun-related incidents in or near our neighborhood and across the city the last year. As the city of Philadelphia continues to struggle with an epidemic of gun violence, no neighborhood is immune.

Our hearts go out to all the victims of gunfire. We hope those harmed in Wednesday's shooting will have a quick and full recovery and will keep them and their families in our thoughts. We encourage neighbors to learn about and get engaged with conversations and initiatives around violence prevention, and we commit to continuing to share resources and information about these efforts moving forward. We stand for peace in all neighborhoods.

For counseling, victim support, and reporting resources:

Philly Gun Violence Resources

The 26th Police District will be holding a public zoom meeting
Monday (5/24) evening at 6pm to discuss recent gun violence.

You can join the meeting at that time using this link: https://zoom.us/j/98450518237

PhillyTeenVaxx Updates

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Click on image to view it.

COVID-19 Vaccine Updates

Philly rolls out plan for vaccinating seniors and disabled people at home as advocates ask what took so long
Ellie Silverman and Jason Laughlin, Philadelphia Inquirer

Thousands of Philadelphians with health conditions and physical limitations who haven’t been able to get their COVID-19 vaccine will be getting long-asked-for help as the city announces Wednesday a new plan to ensure doses are brought to their doors.
Personal care attendants, family members, caregivers, and anyone else living in the same household are also eligible to be vaccinated through this program. Sign up for yourself or someone else in need of a home vaccine visit by calling 215-685-5488 or following this link: https://bit.ly/3b7kKBb.

Read here.

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COVID-19 Vaccine Update

On May 12th, the City of Philadelphia announced that it is no longer a requirement to be a Philadelphia resident to receive the COVID-19 vaccine from a site within Philadelphia! The time is now to get the vaccine and to discuss vaccination with your health care provider if you have any questions or concerns.

• Esperanza Health Center is administering the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, which is approved for individuals ages 18 and older, at our Hunting Park and Kensington sites. You can learn more and register for a vaccine appointment by visiting our website at https://esperanzahealth.com/covid-19-vaccine-information/.
  

• EHC Hosting Community Vaccine Clinics in May:
  Monday, May 24th from 1:30 - 4:00 pm at our Kensington site (861 E. Allegheny Avenue).
  

• We encourage those who are not yet vaccinated to find a location near you to receive the vaccine - please visit vaccinefinder.org/search.

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Gun Buyback

PlayStreets: Interested In Becoming a Meal Site?

Click here to view details

JOBS!!

Senior Associate
Philadelphia Green Capital Corp(PGCC)

PGCC is hiring a Senior Associate to help us create a thriving, equitable clean energy market in Philly.
The Philadelphia Green Capital Corp. (PGCC) is the recently-formed “green bank” affiliate of the Philadelphia Energy Authority (PEA). PGCC’s mission is to connect projects to capital to drive a robust, equitable, clean energy market in Philadelphia, support PEA, and respond to the local challenges of climate change. PGCC will use proven green bank tools to unlock capital for clean energy projects. PGCC’s approach will include leveraging capital from public, private, and philanthropic sources, offering credit enhancements, using alternative underwriting methods, and facilitating partnerships. The creation of PGCC will scale and amplify PEA’s current work and will bring new financial products to the Philadelphia region’s clean energy economy.

Job description, details and to apply, click here.

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The PHLYouth Summer Career Fest!
Saturday, June 5, 2021
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Love Park, 16Th And JFK, Philadelphia

The Mayor's Office of Youth Engagement is partnering with the Philadelphia Youth Commission & the Millennial Advisory Committee to host its first PHLYouth Summer Career Fest! This jobs & resource fair is catered specifically toward Gen-Z & Millennial Philadelphians in an effort to support the city's youngest residents in finding opportunities for the summer and beyond.

Read here and register.

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Tuesday, May 18th, 2021: Philadelphia Voting Day

Where’s my Philly polling place? Some spots have changed since November. Voting locations for the May 18 primary, mapped. Michaela Winberg, BillyPenn

For most people, the answer is probably to go to the spot where you voted in November, according to the Office of City Commissioners. Spokesperson Nick Custodio said for the May 18 primary, the office is using many of the same polling places they did six months ago. For people with internet access, the best bet is to enter your address into the city’s tool here. You could do it in advance to plan, and then once more before you head out to vote on Tuesday, just to be sure.

More here.

Philly Voter Guide: May 18, 2021

Philadelphia Inquirer

From who’s on your ballot, to what to know about voting by mail.
Voters in Pennsylvania aren’t casting ballots for president on May 18, but the upcoming primary is a chance to directly affect criminal justice in the region with district attorneys and plenty of judicial seats on the ballot. Plus, the more people that vote, the more elected offices start to actually look like the communities they represent. The voters are the boss — and the way to give politicians and local officials direction is by using your ballot.

Read more here.

Apprenticeship Presentation

COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics

Find a Vaccination Clinic here

View schedules here

BLOOD DRIVE @ Rivers Casino Philadelphia

Emergency Broadband Benefit

The Emergency Broadband Benefit is an FCC program to help families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. This new benefit will connect eligible households to jobs, critical healthcare services, virtual classrooms, and so much more.
The Emergency Broadband Benefit will provide a discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.

More details here.

Philly Counts Ambassador Program

Do you enjoy interacting and engaging with your community? Are you passionate about promoting public health through conversations, sharing resources, and providing support? Are you interested in professional development opportunities?

If so, apply to be a Philly Counts Ambassador!

#PhillyCounts
#EngagingPHL
#VaxUpPhilly

FREE FOOD PICKUP

After 3 more Saturdays!!!
Food Distribution at this site
will be ending on May 29th

Philadelphia Judicial Elections

When we vote, we're hiring someone to do a job

View here [pdf] all the details about Philadelphia Judicial Elections

Philadelphia extends eviction moratorium

PHL extends eviction moratorium through June 30
Laura McCrystal, Phildelphia Inquirer

The ban on evictions and lockouts has been extended several times during the coronavirus pandemic. In an order issued Thursday, Philadelphia Municipal Court President Judge Patrick F. Dugan extended the ban on evictions and lockouts through June 30. Dugan’s order said the court would resume considering cases on June 30 but noted that it “will depend on conditions at the time … in terms of the global pandemic.” Philadelphia is set to lift all of its coronavirus restrictions on businesses and events, with the exception of the mask mandate, on June 11 — which officials and business leaders hope will jump-start the city’s economic recovery.

Read here.