Report a Pothole!!

Community Legal Service renters survey

The results will help Community Legal Services (CLS)
better represent and advocate for renters.
Fill the survey at https://buff.ly/3zQri1O

SKCP & Project TechCycle Digital Divide SURVEY

Hello neighbor! This survey will be a great benefit to us as we begin trying to develop programs and workshops to help lessen the Digital Divide in our service area. South Kensington Community Partners' NAC and Project TechCycle are teaming up to try to bring our neighbors some useful information, build skills, and allow for more computer access.

We need your help to do that. By filling out this survey, you are supporting our development of programs and workshops that we hope to bring to our neighbors sometime soon.

Please note that the survey can take about 10 minutes to fill out. However, there is no timer, so take as much time as you need. The deadline for submitting is 5pm on Friday August 6th. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to email them to rdavis@southkensingtoncommunity.org.

Everything you need to know about abandoned vehicles in Philadelphia

John Ryan, Philly311
Abandoned vehicle removal is one of our most frequently submitted service requests. In March 2021 alone, we received 4,198 inquires about abandoned vehicles. These vehicles are investigated and removed by the Neighborhood Services Unit (NSU) of the Philadelphia Police Department.

We want to make sure all of your questions about abandoned vehicles are answered and take you through the removal process from start to finish. Read here for details.

Philly courts just extended eviction protections again. Here’s what that means

Taylor Allen, WHYY

The requirement for Philadelphia landlords who want to evict tenants must first go through the city’s eviction diversion program and apply for rental assistance by Aug. 31, according to an order issued late by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court late Wednesday evening. The order extended a previous mandate that was set to expire Wednesday. Read more here.

Philly races to distribute rental assistance before the national eviction ban ends
Michaelle Bond, Philadelphia Inquirer

The eviction bans that have kept people in their homes during the unprecedented pandemic and its economic fallout are nearing their end. People waiting for help are terrified that rental assistance will come too late. Consequences from both eviction bans and lockouts will reverberate long after the health emergency ends. Many renters fear losing their homes. And some landlords who have struggled to stay afloat without rental income plan to sell their properties, a blow to the already scarce affordable housing in the city. More here.

REPORT A POTHOLE!!

SEPTA Forward: Bus Revolution is a project that will create a more efficient, effective and accessible bus network.

By creating routes that are more direct, reliable and easier to use, more riders will be able to take advantage of this important service within our community. We will be taking an in-depth look at how the needs of our riders are changing and we want to hear from you. Learn more about how you can make sure your voice is heard and be a part of our Bus Revolution. Click here to fill the survey.

Want to leave a comment or speak to the team? Email us at busnetwork@septa.org or call us at 267.291.6045

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Technology is changing’: SEPTA finally giving its troubled Key card a reboot.

Darryl C. Murphy, WHYY
Read here.

Probate Deferment Initiative PSA

Calling all Lawyers! We need your help! More than 10,000 Philadelphians reside in a property where ownership is in the name of a deceased relative. We call this a “Tangled Title” and it's a CRISIS.

The Philadelphia Register of Wills's office is working with local Legal Aid Organizations and started "The Probate Deferment Initiative" for low income families. Which delays fee payments so a family can address their tangled title and remain in their home. But, untangling a title is complex and they need to be represented by an Attorney. You have the power to keep a Philadelphia family legally in their home. Please. Will you help? View video here. More informative videos here.

Do you have a Tangled Title? Email for assistance: ROW.PDI@phila.gov

PHS Gardening Contest

Welcome to the PHS Gardening Contest! A true celebration of gardening and gardeners, the PHS Garden Contest allows gardeners of all levels to showcase their horticultural accomplishments in a friendly virtual competition.
Entries can be submitted in the following categories:

• Outdoor Home Gardens

• Indoor Gardens

• Public Space Gardens

The contest deadline has been extended to July 12.

Click here for more details, FAQ and how to apply.

Free produce vouchers available through 2021 Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program

Applications for the 2021 Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program are now being accepted. The annual program provides $24 in free vouchers for fresh, Pennsylvania-grown produce to income-eligible Pennsylvanians 60-plus. PCA is again distributing produce vouchers in Philadelphia by mail. Applications for the 2021 program have been mailed to 2020 produce voucher recipients.
Older adults who did not receive produce vouchers in 2020 can learn more about the program and download an application here. PCA wants to hear from you! Complete our advocacy survey
This initiative was created by PCA’s Board of Directors to better identify priority areas for advocacy with the input of both older Philadelphians and aging network stakeholders.

Please complete the survey (available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Russian) to give us your thoughts on what is important yo you.

Philly public pools return for the first time in 2 years — but fewer than 70% will open

Robby Brod, BillyPenn

For the first time since summer 2019, Philadelphia is opening its public pools. The rolling schedule of openings begins this week, but will only extend to just 69% or so of the available swim spots because of major challenges recruiting lifeguards. Only some of the 70+ Philly pools will welcome residents this year, with the first few launching on Wednesday, and 16 expected by the end of this weekend. A total of 41 will be open by July 10. How did Parks & Rec choose which ones get to open? A combination of neighborhood need, geography, and past pool usage data, officials said.
Here’s the opening schedule, which isn’t as robust as the past because of a major lifeguard shortage. In the neighborhood, Hancock's pool open on Tuesday July 6th and Cruz Rec's pool is closed for the public (read here).

Click here to find Sprinklers and Spraygrounds. Benson Park and Hart Park are open in the neighborhood.

PDPH: Heat Health Emergency Resources

During extreme heat, it's important to check on your neighbors, especially older adults and people with chronic health conditions who are more likely to get sick. Make sure they have access to air conditioning, are staying hydrated, and know how to call for help if they need it. To learn more about what happens when the City declares a Heat Health Emergency, click here.

During the Heat Health Emergency, the following resources will become available:

• The Philadelphia Corporation for Aging will open its Heatline - (215) 765-9040. Residents can call to get health and safety tips and talk to medical professionals about heat-related illness.

• The Office of Homeless Services will increase outreach. If you see someone on the street that needs help, call (215) 232-1984 or 911.

• Pet safety measures will be enforced. To report a dog left outside in very hot weather, call (267) 385-3800.

The City has opened cooling centers that are available for use by all residents looking to escape the heat. Residents can call 311 to find a nearby cooling center, or check out this map or this list of cooling sites, spraygrounds, and pools.

Reach out to publichealthpreparedness@phila.gov with any questions, requests for presentations about extreme heat, or additional resources!

• Other resources:
  Stay Cool, Philly! Brochure English | Spanish

PHLRentalAssistance Open Office Hours @ SKCP

REMINDER: La Esquina Summerfest!

438 W Jefferson St
Saturday June 26 (Rain Date Sun 6/27)
4-7PM

• BBQ & Potluck

• Firepit

• BYOB

• Bring an instrument

RSVP/Questions:
laesquinagarden@gmail.com
or call 215-221-2995

Donations towards the garden gratefully accepted

Renter Survey

Community Legal Services (CLS) and The Housing Initiative at Penn are conducting a survey to learn more about unlawful eviction, housing discrimination, housing quality, and displacement in Philadelphia. The results will help CLS better represent and advocate for Philadelphia renters.
If you are currently a renter living in Philadelphia, please take 15 minutes to complete the survey for a chance to win one of fifty $50 gift cards.

Click here to complete the survey.

Did You Attend a Philly Public School?

Philly Alumni wants to engage you, inform you, and help you get involved!

Philly Alumni is Philadelphia’s free citywide alumni network where we stay connected, support each other, support current public school students, give back and celebrate together! We need to update alumni on cool events, alumni accomplishments, and alumni-owned businesses we should all support.
Please help us by taking a two-minute survey, linked below! Philly Alumni is an initiative of The Fund for the School District of Philadelphia.

Check us out at phillyalumni.com!

Take the Quick Survey Here

PHILLY COUNTS Update!!

Together we are sharing important information and helping people across Philadelphia get vaccinated. Want to help us keep the momentum up? Join us for our next volunteer opportunity.

Canvassing Opportunities:

• June 26, Hunting Park 10-2 pm

• June 27, Eastwick 1-5 pm

• July 2, Upper Kensington 3-7 pm

• July 3, Hunting Park 10-2 pm

MASK & VACCINATION INFORMATION

• As of Friday, June 11, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) announced the last two Safer at Home mandates have been lifted. However, businesses may require you to wear your masks indoors.

• Teenagers aged 12-15 are now eligible for the Pfizer vaccine. For more information check the city’s website

• There are vaccines available for homebound older adults and people with disabilities now

• Get COVID-19 updates sent to your phone. Text COVIDPHL to 888-777 to receive free text alerts with info and updates from @PHLPublicHealth.

• Residents with questions about the COVID-19 coronavirus can use the 24/7 helpline to talk to a medical professional. Call 800-722-7112

PHLRentalAssistance Open Office Hours @ SKCP

City Of Philadelphia: What You Need To Know About The City's Plastic Bag Ban

Bria Spivey, Patch.com

The Single-use Plastic Bag Ban was originally passed by City Council in December 2019 and will be implemented beginning July 1, 2021. To assist businesses through this transition, the City is providing a variety of resources, all of which are available on a new webpage at phila.gov/plastic-bag-ban.
Resources available include signage—in multiple languages—that businesses can download, print, and hang at points of sale as well as a flyer that answers frequently asked questions about the ban.
Though the ban will be implemented beginning July 1, there will be a nine-month awareness, education, and warning period before full enforcement begins in order to provide businesses time to prepare and comply with the law.

Read here.

Apply for Child Tax Credit @ Ceiba

Get Info & Apply for the
Child Tax Credit (CTC)*
Up to $300/child

Friday June 25,2021
10AM-5PM
&
Saturday June 26,2021
10AM-2PM

*The CTC may be available to eligible parents with children even if they have no tax filing requirement

Other services include:
Free Tax Prep
ITIN applications & Renewals
Philadelphia Wage Tax Petitions
Public Benefits
Much More

174 Diamond St
Philadelphia PA 19122
No Appointment Necessary
No Se Necesita Cita
215-634-724 or 311