PathWays PA E-Alert: January 9, 2012

YOU ARE INVITED TO A PAID SICK DAYS HAPPY HOUR!

WHEN: Tuesday, January 10, 5PM-7PM
WHERE: El Fuego, 723 Walnut Street, Philadelphia


The Coalition for Healthy Families and Workplaces is hosting a Happy Hour at El Fuego, a restaurant which provides paid sick days to its employees, to celebrate the progress made on paid sick days and to provide the opportunity to learn more about this important issue. Light food will be provided.

Over 40% of Philadelphia workers have no access to a single paid sick day, and many of those workers handle food or work with vulnerable populations.

To RSVP please email kscully@pathwayspa.org or click here.






Pennsylvania Updates

It's Freezing in Pennsylvania - the Budget, That Is

Governor Corbett's budget announcement last week sent new shivers through many programs and services already struggling in a tough economy.  The projected $486 million revenue shortfall led to the Governor's proposal to "freeze" $160 million in spending. (For further analysis of the revenue shortfall, please visit this link from the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center.) While this funding could be made available again in the fiscal year if revenue picks up, in most cases, budget freezes equal budget cuts.

Below is a partial list of the cuts made to programs - for a full list click here.  

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-2GhZTewEjPwNgeBNmx05J4F7tR0LDVnLVSU-esOhXwLRPRR6ySbm8LANENNRgqngTHAZqBrT2q2R1PLLJrVJ8QZ4uinmhdxr7FSFskANbsQxs-DlupvOWKXxofb2OAXBjIk5Uy2pso/s1600/010512+budget.gif

If you do not agree with the cuts listed above, contact your members of the General Assembly and let them know.

In addition, as we approach the new budget cycle, it may also be time to start thinking of new ways to approach the budget shortfalls beyond continuous program cuts, such as closing tax loopholes.  To learn more about alternatives to budget cuts, please visit the website for the Better Choices for Pennsylvania Coalition.

Below are other budget related messages and activities:

·         From our friends at Women in Transition: Call Governor Corbett today about the state budget freeze!
o        Here is a script you can use:
"My name is ___ and I'm calling as supporter of Women In Transition, the only counseling agency for women dealing with  domestic violence & substance abuse in Philadelphia.  I'm calling because I am outraged at the governor's 5% budgetary spending freeze on funding for domestic violence services."
"While both the cost of providing services AND the demand for services has increased, domestic violence programs continue to try to do more with less. We cannot afford to cut programs or lose staff.
I know that the budget freeze reflects unmet state revenue and savings projections.  However, there are many opportunities for additional revenues or use of the surplus and Rainy Day Fund.
"I urge the Administration to restore this proposed cut before it cripples our ability to help women and children in life-threatening crises."  
o        The Governor’s office can be reached at 717-787-2500 .
·         From our friends at the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania: Call your state Senator and Representative today or send them a message about the need for keeping housing affordable. Take action at this link.
·         From our friends at the Pennsylvania Budget and Pollicy Center: Save the Date for the Budget Summit!
o        Governor Tom Corbett will unveil a state budget plan next month that is likely to mark the fifth straight year of cuts to state services. Join the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center's 2012 Budget Summit for an in-depth look at the state and federal budget plans and what they mean for communities and families across Pennsylvania
o        WHAT: PBPC's 2012 Budget Summit
WHEN: Thursday, February 23, 2012, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hilton Harrisburg
o        The Summit will also feature workshops on how to talk about government and public services and lessons from successful budget campaigns in other states. Registration is free and lunch is included. Register today!

Info / Events


JOIN THE MARCH FOR ABORTION RIGHTS IN PENNSYLVANIA

In their ongoing efforts to secure reproductive choice, the We’ve Had Enough Campaign will be holding an action on Wednesday, January 20^th to commemorate the 30^th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the landmark decision that said a woman’s reproductive choice is between her and her doctor.

Currently in Pennsylvania, such rights are under attack – two separate bills make it harder for women to obtain the abortion services they need by setting hard-to-attain clinic physical space and staffing guidelines and preventing any plan participating in the state health insurance exchange from offering abortion coverage.

If you’d like to participate, the action meets at Walnut and Broad streets in Philadelphia at noon on the 20^th. For more info, go to wevehadenoughpa.org. You can also find out more details by following them on Twitter @WeveHadEnoughPA.


FILM SCREENING FOR NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS DAY

On Wednesday, the School of Social Policy and Practice at the University of Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia Anti-Trafficking Coalition will hold a special screening and discussion of the documentary “Very Young Girls” at the Stiteler Hall on the UPenn Campus.

The film highlights the plight of teenage girls sold into street prostitution, and the hardships they face.

The event will run from 6 to 8 pm. Admission is free and light refreshments will be provided. For more info, go to patcoalition.org.


PHILLY ROC NEEDS HELP CONTACTING RESTAURANT WORKERS


The Restaurant Opportunities Center of Philadelphia (Philly ROC) is a non-profit dedicated to improving the industry for the workers.

The restaurant industry is the fastest growing sector of the American economy. Despite that, it is the industry with the lowest wages, little access to health care or paid sick-leave and high levels of racial and gender discrimination.

It doesn't have to be that way. Philly ROC is here to change that and make sure that restaurant jobs are sustainable.

Philly ROC needs your help to reach out to restaurant workers. If you or your friends work in restaurants and would like to get involved in important industry survey, please contact Fabricio at 215-703-8313 or at fabricio@ROCUnited.org Learn more at www.ROCUnited.org

GIFT OF LIFE LUNCHEON TO HIGHLIGHT ORGAN DONATION

On January 10^th, the Gift of Life Donor Program and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania will be holding a luncheon which will include local clergy talking about organ donation.

They’re asking key leaders from local congregations to attend and add their perspectives. In addition, regional experts will provide information and perspectives on:

• Serving Families & Saving Lives through Organ Donation 
• Understanding Brain Death
• Religious and Cultural Perspectives on Organ Donation   
• First-hand sharing by a donor family and organ transplant recipient
• Donate Life Month – April

This forum will take place at: The Class of 49 Room, Houston Hall, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 10104
Please contact the Department of Pastoral Care at 215-662-2591 to confirm your participation in this special program. 

ARCADIA TO HELP FULFILL NEEDS OF LOCAL NON-PROFITS

WHEN: Sunday, January 15th and Monday, January 16th from 11:00AM-2:00PM
WHERE: Arcadia University’s campus at the Murphy Hall parking lot. Follow signs from the Church Road entrance
Arcadia University will be holding a free Shredding, eWaste and Repurposing event. While it will include electronics recycling and document shredding, it will also include donations for items on area non-profit wish lists – for example. clothes, tools, household items and other amenities.

For a complete list of accepted items: http://www.arcadia.edu/student/default.aspx?id=4066
If you have any questions please email the Community Service Office at communityservice@arcadia.edu or call 215-572-4000.

PathWays Stuff

TAX SEASON IS AROUND THE CORNER – SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT NOW

If you made less than $50,000 in 2011, you are likely eligible for our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. VITA helps return thousands of dollars into the community every year and provides free income tax preparation services to those that need it most.

To schedule your appointment, call PathWays at 610-543-5022!

PATHWAYS IS LOOKING FOR GENTLY USED PROFESSIONAL CLOTHING!

We’ve recently launched our Dress For Your Dreams – MLK Day 2012 campaign! We’re looking for gently used professional and semi-professional clothing. With this, we’ll enable our clients to have the right clothing for job interviews and starting work at new places of employment. If you’d like to donate, contact Chelsea Kohler at ckohler@pathwayspa.org. For more information, visit the Dress for Your Dreams site.