PathWays PA E-Newsletter: December 13, 2010
Special Event
WHAT’S NEXT FOR PENNSYLVANIA: A PUBLIC FORUM ON THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF WOMEN AND FAMILIES
Please join Raising Women’s Voices of Southeastern Pennsylvania and WHYY for a critical dialogue with your elected officials on women’s health care needs as the health care reform law is implemented in Pennsylvania.
WHEN: Wednesday, December 15, 2010 from 5:30 - 8:00 PM
Networking: 5:30 - 6:00 PM
Program: 6:00 - 8:00 PM
WHERE: WHYY’s Dorrance H. Hamilton Public Media Commons, 150 N. 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA
All state legislators, including newly elected legislators, from Southeastern Pennsylvania as well as the Governor-Elect have been invited to speak and answer questions from the audience. You will have the chance to hear directly from those making important decisions about what to expect in the coming years as this important law is implemented.
Raising Women’s Voices of Southeastern Pennsylvania, of which PathWays PA is a member, is a coalition formed to ensure that women’s concerns were addressed during the health care reform process. We now advocate for health care reform implementation policies that support the full range of comprehensive reproductive health care services for women. While women gained many wonderful benefits under the new health care reform law, they also lost and have the potential to lose even more benefits, especially reproductive health care rights.
Come out and let legislators know what is important to YOU as they move forward in implementing health care reform!
For questions or additional information, please contact Kate Scully at kscully@pathways.com.
Federal Policy Update
URGE YOUR SENATORS TO SUPPORT FUNDING TO HELP HOMELESS AND RUNAWAY YOUTH
The best studies available indicate that over 1 million youth are homeless each year in America. In 2009, over 7,500 youth were turned away and denied shelter and housing due to lack of resources. Communities would like to serve homeless youth but often lack the necessary options of outreach, drop-in centers, shelters, and housing to intervene.
Last Wednesday, the House passed a fiscal year (FY) 2011 funding bill that would provide $116 million for Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHYA). This is the same funding the programs received in previous years.
Now, attention turns toward the Senate, which will try to pass its own version of the legislation this week. Over the summer, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved legislation that would provide $124 million in FY 2011 for RHYA programs. If the Senate cannot pass its version of the FY 2011 legislation, known as an omnibus, it will try to pass the House bill.
Please contact your Senators’ offices TODAY and ask them to fight to keep at least the Senate’s recommended funding level of $124 million in any final FY 2011 legislation the Senate passes.
Local Policy Update
HELP SUPPORT EARNED SICK TIME IN PHILADELPHIA
Did you know that 41% of workers in Philadelphia are forced to choose between going to work sick, or sending a child to school sick, or losing their pay or possibly their job? The majority of workers without paid sick days are those preparing and serving our food and caring for our children.
Philadelphia's City Council has the opportunity to ensure that all workers in the city have access to earn paid sick days. Please urge your members of City Council to support workers their families and their communities, by supporting the Promoting Healthy Families and Healthy Workplaces Act (Bill No. 080474).
Workers should have the opportunity to earn a minimum amount of paid time. Please take a few moments to write a letter to your members of City Council. For more information visit the Coalition for Healthy Families and Workplaces Blog.
Information/Events
NATIONAL PREVENTION, HEALTH PROMOTION AND PUBLIC HEALTH COUNCIL LISTENING SESSION
The creation of a National Prevention and Health Promotion Strategy represents a historic opportunity to bring prevention and wellness to the forefront of our national conversation on health. The overall purpose of the strategy is to improve the health and quality of life for individuals, families, and communities by moving the nation from a focus on sickness and disease to one based on wellness and prevention. To achieve this goal, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in collaboration with the National Prevention, Health Promotion and Public Health Council, is in the process of developing this Strategy.
The HHS Region III Office of the Regional Director, in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Health Access Network, are hosting a listening session on December 17, 2010, from 11am -1pm, at the Gouley Auditorium at the Braemer Education Center of Albert Einstein Medical Center, 5501 Old York Road, Philadelphia, PA 19141. At the session, you will hear about prevention and health promotion strategies under the Affordable Care Act and you will be asked to provide us with your thoughts.
To register, please send your name (and your organization, if applicable) to Aryanna Abouzari at: aryanna.abouzari@hhs.gov. If you are unable to attend in person on December 17, you can also submit your comments online.
HOMELESS MEMORIAL DAY
Each year Project H.O.M.E and supporting agencies hold an annual candle light vigil known as Homeless Memorial Day, in which persons who are homeless or formerly homeless and passed away during the year are commemorated. This vigil will remember homeless and formerly homeless Philadelphians who died during 2010 and CALL for an awakened commitment to end homelessness.
WHEN: Tuesday, December 21 4:30-5:30 PM
WHERE: LOVE Park, 15th & Arch Streets, Philadelphia
For more information about the event: Contact Sonja Dobbins-Gillis at 215-232-7272 or sonjadobbins-gillis@projecthome.org.
To help someone who is homeless: Call the Philadelphia Homeless Outreach Hotline at 215-232-1984.
WEBINAR ON INTERNATIONAL ASPECTS OF TRAFFICKING
The Broward Human Trafficking Coalition, in conjunction with American Intercontinental University, will host a webinar that examines human trafficking as it affects foreign national populations.
WHEN: December 15 - 10:00 AM
The webinar will cover the differences between smuggling and trafficking, services available to victims, key elements of what constitutes a human trafficking case, and T and U visas. Visit the organization’s website or register here.
16TH ANNUAL GREATER PHILADELPHIA MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY OF SERVICE
On January 17, 2011 please join the 16th annual Greater Philadelphia King Day of Service.
You can get involved in a variety of different ways:
Register your project! Organize a service project in your community or partner with an organization that needs volunteers. You will receive help to make a plan for what you want to do and recruit volunteers. Download the Project Development Kit for advice on how to get started.
Apply to host a project at the Signature Site! Apply to join group at Girard College, the 2011 King Day of Service Signature Site. Nonprofit organizations can host a Signature Site and participate in the Kids’ Carnival, Health & Wellness Fair and Civic Engagement Expo.
Sign up to volunteer! Don’t want to organize your own project? Register as a volunteer and search a database of available King Day volunteer opportunities. With over 1100 projects last year, you’re sure to find something that meets your interests and abilities.
Special PathWays PA Information/Events
PATHWAYS PA OFFERS LANGUAGE/CIVICS COURSES
PathWays PA is offering a course meant for those interested in learning and improving their English while also covering:
WHEN: Mondays & Wednesdays - 9:30 - 12:00 OR Tuesdays & Thursdays 5:00 - 7:30
WHERE: Darby Borough Hall, 821 Summit Street, Darby PA
For more information about the class, please contact Kelly Binder at 610-543-5022 X 227 or kbinder@pathwayspa.org.
Hosted by Raising Women’s Voices of Southeastern PA and WHYY
Please join Raising Women’s Voices of Southeastern Pennsylvania and WHYY for a critical dialogue with your elected officials on women’s health care needs as the health care reform law is implemented in Pennsylvania.
WHEN: Wednesday, December 15, 2010 from 5:30 - 8:00 PM
Networking: 5:30 - 6:00 PM
Program: 6:00 - 8:00 PM
WHERE: WHYY’s Dorrance H. Hamilton Public Media Commons, 150 N. 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA
* Light refreshments will be served*
RSVP REQUIRED: http://whatsnextforpennsylvania.eventbrite.com
All state legislators, including newly elected legislators, from Southeastern Pennsylvania as well as the Governor-Elect have been invited to speak and answer questions from the audience. You will have the chance to hear directly from those making important decisions about what to expect in the coming years as this important law is implemented.
Raising Women’s Voices of Southeastern Pennsylvania, of which PathWays PA is a member, is a coalition formed to ensure that women’s concerns were addressed during the health care reform process. We now advocate for health care reform implementation policies that support the full range of comprehensive reproductive health care services for women. While women gained many wonderful benefits under the new health care reform law, they also lost and have the potential to lose even more benefits, especially reproductive health care rights.
Come out and let legislators know what is important to YOU as they move forward in implementing health care reform!
For questions or additional information, please contact Kate Scully at kscully@pathways.com.
Federal Policy Update
URGE YOUR SENATORS TO SUPPORT FUNDING TO HELP HOMELESS AND RUNAWAY YOUTH
The best studies available indicate that over 1 million youth are homeless each year in America. In 2009, over 7,500 youth were turned away and denied shelter and housing due to lack of resources. Communities would like to serve homeless youth but often lack the necessary options of outreach, drop-in centers, shelters, and housing to intervene.
Last Wednesday, the House passed a fiscal year (FY) 2011 funding bill that would provide $116 million for Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHYA). This is the same funding the programs received in previous years.
Now, attention turns toward the Senate, which will try to pass its own version of the legislation this week. Over the summer, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved legislation that would provide $124 million in FY 2011 for RHYA programs. If the Senate cannot pass its version of the FY 2011 legislation, known as an omnibus, it will try to pass the House bill.
Please contact your Senators’ offices TODAY and ask them to fight to keep at least the Senate’s recommended funding level of $124 million in any final FY 2011 legislation the Senate passes.
Local Policy Update
HELP SUPPORT EARNED SICK TIME IN PHILADELPHIADid you know that 41% of workers in Philadelphia are forced to choose between going to work sick, or sending a child to school sick, or losing their pay or possibly their job? The majority of workers without paid sick days are those preparing and serving our food and caring for our children.
Philadelphia's City Council has the opportunity to ensure that all workers in the city have access to earn paid sick days. Please urge your members of City Council to support workers their families and their communities, by supporting the Promoting Healthy Families and Healthy Workplaces Act (Bill No. 080474).
Workers should have the opportunity to earn a minimum amount of paid time. Please take a few moments to write a letter to your members of City Council. For more information visit the Coalition for Healthy Families and Workplaces Blog.
Information/Events
NATIONAL PREVENTION, HEALTH PROMOTION AND PUBLIC HEALTH COUNCIL LISTENING SESSION
The creation of a National Prevention and Health Promotion Strategy represents a historic opportunity to bring prevention and wellness to the forefront of our national conversation on health. The overall purpose of the strategy is to improve the health and quality of life for individuals, families, and communities by moving the nation from a focus on sickness and disease to one based on wellness and prevention. To achieve this goal, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in collaboration with the National Prevention, Health Promotion and Public Health Council, is in the process of developing this Strategy.
The HHS Region III Office of the Regional Director, in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Health Access Network, are hosting a listening session on December 17, 2010, from 11am -1pm, at the Gouley Auditorium at the Braemer Education Center of Albert Einstein Medical Center, 5501 Old York Road, Philadelphia, PA 19141. At the session, you will hear about prevention and health promotion strategies under the Affordable Care Act and you will be asked to provide us with your thoughts.
To register, please send your name (and your organization, if applicable) to Aryanna Abouzari at: aryanna.abouzari@hhs.gov. If you are unable to attend in person on December 17, you can also submit your comments online.
HOMELESS MEMORIAL DAY
Each year Project H.O.M.E and supporting agencies hold an annual candle light vigil known as Homeless Memorial Day, in which persons who are homeless or formerly homeless and passed away during the year are commemorated. This vigil will remember homeless and formerly homeless Philadelphians who died during 2010 and CALL for an awakened commitment to end homelessness.
WHEN: Tuesday, December 21 4:30-5:30 PM
WHERE: LOVE Park, 15th & Arch Streets, Philadelphia
For more information about the event: Contact Sonja Dobbins-Gillis at 215-232-7272 or sonjadobbins-gillis@projecthome.org.
To help someone who is homeless: Call the Philadelphia Homeless Outreach Hotline at 215-232-1984.
WEBINAR ON INTERNATIONAL ASPECTS OF TRAFFICKING
The Broward Human Trafficking Coalition, in conjunction with American Intercontinental University, will host a webinar that examines human trafficking as it affects foreign national populations.
WHEN: December 15 - 10:00 AM
The webinar will cover the differences between smuggling and trafficking, services available to victims, key elements of what constitutes a human trafficking case, and T and U visas. Visit the organization’s website or register here.
16TH ANNUAL GREATER PHILADELPHIA MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY OF SERVICE
On January 17, 2011 please join the 16th annual Greater Philadelphia King Day of Service.
You can get involved in a variety of different ways:
Register your project! Organize a service project in your community or partner with an organization that needs volunteers. You will receive help to make a plan for what you want to do and recruit volunteers. Download the Project Development Kit for advice on how to get started.
Apply to host a project at the Signature Site! Apply to join group at Girard College, the 2011 King Day of Service Signature Site. Nonprofit organizations can host a Signature Site and participate in the Kids’ Carnival, Health & Wellness Fair and Civic Engagement Expo.
Sign up to volunteer! Don’t want to organize your own project? Register as a volunteer and search a database of available King Day volunteer opportunities. With over 1100 projects last year, you’re sure to find something that meets your interests and abilities.
Special PathWays PA Information/Events
PATHWAYS PA OFFERS LANGUAGE/CIVICS COURSES
PathWays PA is offering a course meant for those interested in learning and improving their English while also covering:
- United States History
- Work Skills
- Citizenship Process
- Employment
- Math
- Reading
WHEN: Mondays & Wednesdays - 9:30 - 12:00 OR Tuesdays & Thursdays 5:00 - 7:30
WHERE: Darby Borough Hall, 821 Summit Street, Darby PA
For more information about the class, please contact Kelly Binder at 610-543-5022 X 227 or kbinder@pathwayspa.org.
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