PathWays PA E-Newsletter: February 21, 2011

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COME TO THE RALLY AND HEARING ON EARNED SICK DAYS!

Everyone Gets Sick— Not Everyone Has the Time to Get Better

2 out of every 5 workers in Philadelphia do NOT have a single paid sick day.

Help Us Tell City Council to Give ALL Workers a Chance to Earn Paid Sick Days.

WHEN: March 1, 2011 9:00 AM
WHERE: City Hall, Philadelphia

Join the Coalition for Healthy Families and Workplaces at City Hall for a Rally and Press Conference and then help us pack the Hearing Room to show the importance of this bill.


Even if you have paid sick days remember a majority of restaurant, child care, and health care workers do not—the lack of paid sick days in Philadelphia impacts us all!

If you have a story about how having or lacking paid sick days has impacted you please email kscully@pathwayspa.org. In addition please take a few moments to write a letter to your members of City Council.

Federal Policy Update

HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS BILL CUTS $60 BILLION FOR REMAINING FY 2011 BUDGET

Over the weekend, the House cut $60 billion from the remaining budget for the fiscal year, according to The New York Times. Since the Senate is not expected to follow suit, Congress only has four days next week to come up with a bill to fund the federal government for the remainder of the fiscal year. If no agreement is reached, the government could enter a shutdown in early March.

Hundreds of amendments were included in the bill, and The New York Times offers an amendment tracker to view key votes. Here is a breakdown of some of the key amendments:
Among amendments that were rejected was a restoration of $50 million in LIHEAP funding and a reduction of Amtrak financing.


Information/Events

AMERICA SAVES WEEK

The personal savings rate is near zero, most Americans are not saving adequately for retirement, and most lower-income households do not have adequate emergency savings for unexpected expenditures like a car repair. But with more societal encouragement and support, more Americans will be persuaded to build wealth, not debt.

During America Saves Week, individuals will be encouraged and assisted to assess their savings progress and take action to advance this progress. This encouragement and assistance will be provided by organizations and professionals with an interest in improving the financial security of individuals and families.
Take action and enroll as an America Saver today. When you sign up, you create and commit to a basic savings plan. You'll also receive savings advice and information through newsletters and emails, including the ability to:

A BETTER BUDGET FOR ALL: SAVING OUR ECONOMY AND HELPING THOSE IN NEED

The U.S. House is about to approve massive, unprecedented cuts in this year’s federal programs for housing, home energy, jobs, education, Head Start, and health care – painfully targeted at the poorest and most vulnerable Americans.

How would these plans change America?

Learn about these budget proposals and how they affect all of us. And learn how to be persuasive in defense of federal investments and protecting vulnerable people.

WHEN: Friday, February 25, 2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.

Register today! And if your organization hasn't yet signed the SAVE for All statement of principles, please take a look; saving services and help for vulnerable people requires a strong, united effort!

UNITED WAY WEBINAR REVIEWS IMPACT OF US BUDGET DEBATE

Recent media reports on funding cuts, President’s Obama’s budget proposal, and the federal debt limit, continue to create confusion around the budget and appropriations process.

For a detailed overview and explanation on the budget, United Way Worldwide will present an online seminar from 12:30-1:30pm on Thursday, February 24th called Demystifying FY 2011 Appropriations and the President’s FY 2012 Budget.

During the webinar, G. William Hoagland, Vice President of Public Policy and Government Affairs at CIGNA, will discuss the latest information available on funding for fiscal years 2011 and 2012. The workshop will explain the fundamentals of how the federal budget and appropriations process works.

To register for this presentation on the budget, click here.

WOMENOMICS FORUM

Please join numerous groups as they celebrate the 5th WOMENomics® Forum. The purpose is to bring together women of all ages to help identify women's economic issues and get practical, innovative ideas to improve quality of life.

WHEN: Saturday, March 26, 2011 8:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: Towne House 117 Veterans Square Media, PA 19063

Keynote Speaker: Denise Romanelli, Director of Employee Development and Community Relations - Sun East Credit Union

Please RSVP by Friday, March 19, 2011. The cost is $25.00 per person; $10.00 per student. For more information and to register please click here.

Please call or email Teresa A. Miller with questions at tmiller@frontrowlaw.com or 610-566-5035.

FINAL BLUEPRINT CONFERENCE CALL: JOB CREATION

Please join the Progressive States Network on Tuesday, February 22nd, for a conference call on creating jobs and boosting local economies.

The call will focus on messaging and framing around several key policies, including green jobs workforce development, energy efficient schools and buildings, and innovative financing mechanisms for energy efficiency and clean energy projects.

You can RSVP for this call by clicking here.

Special PathWays PA Information/Events

PATHWAYS PA’S 4TH ANNUAL ART SHOW – GREAT ART FOR A GREAT CAUSE

PathWays PA’s fourth annual PathWays to the Stars Art Show & Auction will be held on Sunday, March 27, 2011, from 3-7PM. The event will be hosted in the elegant Waterford Ballroom at the Radisson Hotel, located at 1160 First Avenue in King of Prussia.


More than 20 local artists will be involved with this year’s show, including Annette Alessi, Cheryl Decker-Sauder, Alice George, Robert Grieb, Marie Harris, Madeleine Kelly, Christa Krumbhaar, Martin May, Cathy Peluso and Dane Tilghman. This year’s event will also feature original art by the children residing at our Center for Families.

This year we are adding a new category of work to the art show. Attendees will be able to view, purchase and bid on original and highly creative work by local jewelry and ceramics artists and support the over 6,000 women, children and families PathWays PA serves each year. 100% of silent auction proceeds, along with 30% of art sale profits, will benefit the agency.

Last year’s PathWays to the Stars Art Show & Auction raised in excess of $13,000. With your help, this year’s event can be an even greater success! Tickets to the event are only $25 in advance or $30 at the door. To purchase tickets, or to show your support by purchasing a full page tribute ad ($250) in our souvenir program book, please call Pam at 610-543-5022 x234.

FINANCIAL PATH$

Financial Path$, a new program from PathWays PA, helps individuals and families build paths toward economic self-sufficiency through financial education, asset building and economic empowerment. This program provides one-on-one financial counseling and financial education workshops. Financial Path$ is committed to assisting everyone carve their path to self-sufficiency.

If you or your clients would be interested in learning more about this program please contact wrahemtulla@pathwayspa.org.

For more information become Financial Path$ friend on Facebook and follow them on Twitter. Stay turned as we will also be launching a blog very soon!

FREE TAX PREPARATION

PathWays PA offers FREE certified tax preparation at our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites throughout Philadelphia and Delaware counties. Free tax preparation is for taxpayers with an annual gross household income less than $50,000.

Keep your full refund and save your money:
  • No tax preparation fees
  • No E-filing Fees
  • No check cashing fees
  • Open a no-fee savings or prepaid debit card account
  • Purchase a risk free US Saving Bond
  • Find out it you’re eligible for SNAP (food stamps)

Taxpayers must being all necessary identification and required tax statement for taxpayer, spouse, and dependents.

Locations:
  • Philadelphia County – 3617 Lancaster Avenue Philadelphia PA
  • Delaware County – 310 Amosland Road Holmes PA

Call 610-543-5022 or 1-800-209-2914 to schedule your FREE tax appointment today!


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.

Images courtesy of: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Capitol-Senate.JPG

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