PathWays PA E-Newsletter: May 29, 2012
Federal Policy Updates
HELP SUPPORT PAID FAMILY LEAVE
In the coming weeks, the Senate will consider putting $5 million toward a new State Paid Leave Fund, which President Obama has proposed in his last three budgets. The Fund would help states that want to start paid leave insurance programs for workers and their families.
Five million dollars might not sound like a lot — especially when you consider the size of our multi-trillion-dollar federal budget — but these funds are critically important and could really help build momentum in the states.
We all know how important it is for families to have access to paid leave when illness strikes or babies come, and that’s why we need you to contact your senators today.
Please urge your Senators to contact their colleagues on the Labor-HHS Appropriations subcommittee and voice their support for the State Paid Leave Fund.
From our friends at the National Partnership for Women and Families.
SUPPORT THE PREGNANT WORKERS FAIRNESS ACT
Thousands of pregnant women everyday are forced to choose between losing their jobs (or taking unpaid leave) and endangering their pregnancies, when just a few small workplace accommodations are usually all that's needed. Because of a gap opened between discrimination laws and disability laws by court decisions, some employers are refusing to accommodate even simple requests that help workers maintain a healthy pregnancy (see fact sheet here).
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act was just introduced in the House of Representatives to close these loopholes. To ensure this bill gets off to a strong start, we need as many Representatives to co-sponsor it as possible.
Will you take 3 minutes to call your Representative and ask them to co-sponsor the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act? Calling is easy to do:
State Policy Updates
PLEASE HELP US END HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN PENNSYLVANIA!
Human trafficking is a form of modern day slavery, which overwhelmingly impacts women and girls. It is the fastest growing crime in the world and is a crisis taking place right here in Pennsylvania.
The National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline Notification Act (HB 235) is a bill that would assist victims of human trafficking by requiring key establishments to post the toll-free 24-hour hotline number so victims can call for help. The posting of the hotline will provide access to help for victims and act as an outlet for tipsters. Identifying victims and providing a centralized venue for reporting tips is the key to enforcing the law and uncovering this hidden crime.
Please take a moment right now to call your State Representative and urge him/her to vote YES to House Bill 235. You can find out who your Representative is here.
Here is a sample call script to use: My name is ________ and I live in your district. I am calling to ask Representative __________ to vote in favor of HB 235. This important bill would help end human trafficking in Pennsylvania and assist victims of this horrific crime by requiring the 24-hour hotline to be posted in certain establishments so victims can call for help. Can I count on Representative ___________ to vote in favor of this life-saving legislation? Thank you for your time and consideration.
Information and Events
BIRTH CERTIFICATE CLINIC
The Homeless Advocacy Project (a Vote for Homes Coalition member) and PECO present a free Birth Certificate Clinic.
WHEN: Wednesday, June 6, 2012 from 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
WHERE: Project H.O.M.E., 1515 Fairmount Avenue (Backspace) Philadelphia, PA 19130
This event is open and free of charge to homeless individuals and families and those at risk of homelessness.
Birth certificates are often needed to receive medical assistance, housing and other public benefits, to obtain a Pennsylvania driver’s or nondriver’s license, for access to many public buildings, for general identification and for many other purposes. They are even more critical now to preserve your right to vote.
Homeless individuals who attend this free clinic will meet with an advocate who will request birth certificates for them and their minor children free of charge.
For additional information, please contact Homeless Advocacy Project at 215-523-9595 or visit www.homelessadvocacyproject.org.
WOMEN VETERANS FORUM AT TEMPLE UNIVERSITY
The Forum Theme is HER STORY: "She Wore Her Boots with Pride". This is a one day forum honoring women who have served and providing military and veteran women an opportunity to have real conversations about the challenges and issues they have experienced while serving and upon returning home to civilian life.
WHEN: Friday, June, 1, 2012 - 8:30am - 3:30pm
WHERE: Temple University’s Howard Gittis Student Center, Room 202 1755 N. 13th Street Philadelphia PA
This event is FREE and registration is required. Seats are limited. Register today at http://womenveteransforum.eventbrite.com!
FIGHT THE BUDGET CUT! HELP SAVE GENERAL ASSISTANCE
There will be a meeting to discuss the cuts in the Pennsylvania and ideas to help save General Assistance.
WHEN: Wednesday, May 30 at 7:00
WHERE: Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware
Because of ours and others efforts millions of dollars will be put back in the State's Budget. The greater our efforts now that we have begun to win, the more we will be able to save. If you would like more information about the event please email Lance Haver (Lance.Haver@Yahoo.com).
CAMP LAUNCHED TO HELP CHILDREN AFFECTED BY FAMILY ADDICTION
The Moyer Foundation has partnered with Penn Foundation to launch Camp Mariposa, a free overnight weekend camp for youth ages 9 through 12 who are living with addiction in their families.
This safe and caring environment gives campers the freedom to talk about substance abuse in their family without the fear of being judged and most importantly, assures them that they are not alone.
The first session of Camp Mariposa Pennsylvania, located in Quarketwon, will be held June 22-24, with camps held every other month to help provide ongoing and consistent education and support. Camp will be staffed by Penn Foundation mental health and substance abuse professionals, and trained volunteers, who will provide education, counseling, and support in a fun, traditional camp setting.
Campers will have opportunities to learn about the disease of addiction and its impact on the family, techniques for coping with a loved one’s addiction, tips for prevention, and available resources that they can turn to for help. Campers will also be able to participate in selected organized activities such as volleyball, basketball, swimming, canoeing, paddle boating, and an obstacle course that includes high and low ropes, zip line, climbing tower, and giant swing.
For more information about Camp Mariposa Pennsylvania, contact Michele Barnes, Project Coordinator, at (215) 257-9999 ext. 100 or mbarnes@pennfoundation.org or visit http://www.PennFoundation.org. For more information about The Moyer Foundation, visit http://www.moyerfoundation.org or call the Philadelphia office at (267) 687-7724.
HELP SUPPORT PAID FAMILY LEAVE In the coming weeks, the Senate will consider putting $5 million toward a new State Paid Leave Fund, which President Obama has proposed in his last three budgets. The Fund would help states that want to start paid leave insurance programs for workers and their families.
Five million dollars might not sound like a lot — especially when you consider the size of our multi-trillion-dollar federal budget — but these funds are critically important and could really help build momentum in the states.
We all know how important it is for families to have access to paid leave when illness strikes or babies come, and that’s why we need you to contact your senators today.
Please urge your Senators to contact their colleagues on the Labor-HHS Appropriations subcommittee and voice their support for the State Paid Leave Fund.
From our friends at the National Partnership for Women and Families.
SUPPORT THE PREGNANT WORKERS FAIRNESS ACT Thousands of pregnant women everyday are forced to choose between losing their jobs (or taking unpaid leave) and endangering their pregnancies, when just a few small workplace accommodations are usually all that's needed. Because of a gap opened between discrimination laws and disability laws by court decisions, some employers are refusing to accommodate even simple requests that help workers maintain a healthy pregnancy (see fact sheet here).
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act was just introduced in the House of Representatives to close these loopholes. To ensure this bill gets off to a strong start, we need as many Representatives to co-sponsor it as possible.
Will you take 3 minutes to call your Representative and ask them to co-sponsor the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act? Calling is easy to do:
- Call (202) 224-3121.
- Tell the operator who answers the phone the name of your Representative (Not sure? Look it up here).
- Once you are connected to the office of your Representative, tell the staff person who answers your name, that you are a constituent from (city, state), and say: "I'm calling to ask you to co-sponsor the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. It's time to close the pregnancy loophole and ensure that pregnant women are treated fairly on the job."
State Policy Updates
PLEASE HELP US END HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN PENNSYLVANIA!
Human trafficking is a form of modern day slavery, which overwhelmingly impacts women and girls. It is the fastest growing crime in the world and is a crisis taking place right here in Pennsylvania.The National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline Notification Act (HB 235) is a bill that would assist victims of human trafficking by requiring key establishments to post the toll-free 24-hour hotline number so victims can call for help. The posting of the hotline will provide access to help for victims and act as an outlet for tipsters. Identifying victims and providing a centralized venue for reporting tips is the key to enforcing the law and uncovering this hidden crime.
Please take a moment right now to call your State Representative and urge him/her to vote YES to House Bill 235. You can find out who your Representative is here.
Here is a sample call script to use: My name is ________ and I live in your district. I am calling to ask Representative __________ to vote in favor of HB 235. This important bill would help end human trafficking in Pennsylvania and assist victims of this horrific crime by requiring the 24-hour hotline to be posted in certain establishments so victims can call for help. Can I count on Representative ___________ to vote in favor of this life-saving legislation? Thank you for your time and consideration.
Information and Events
BIRTH CERTIFICATE CLINIC
The Homeless Advocacy Project (a Vote for Homes Coalition member) and PECO present a free Birth Certificate Clinic.
WHEN: Wednesday, June 6, 2012 from 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
WHERE: Project H.O.M.E., 1515 Fairmount Avenue (Backspace) Philadelphia, PA 19130
This event is open and free of charge to homeless individuals and families and those at risk of homelessness.
Birth certificates are often needed to receive medical assistance, housing and other public benefits, to obtain a Pennsylvania driver’s or nondriver’s license, for access to many public buildings, for general identification and for many other purposes. They are even more critical now to preserve your right to vote.
Homeless individuals who attend this free clinic will meet with an advocate who will request birth certificates for them and their minor children free of charge.
For additional information, please contact Homeless Advocacy Project at 215-523-9595 or visit www.homelessadvocacyproject.org.
WOMEN VETERANS FORUM AT TEMPLE UNIVERSITY
The Forum Theme is HER STORY: "She Wore Her Boots with Pride". This is a one day forum honoring women who have served and providing military and veteran women an opportunity to have real conversations about the challenges and issues they have experienced while serving and upon returning home to civilian life.WHEN: Friday, June, 1, 2012 - 8:30am - 3:30pm
WHERE: Temple University’s Howard Gittis Student Center, Room 202 1755 N. 13th Street Philadelphia PA
This event is FREE and registration is required. Seats are limited. Register today at http://womenveteransforum.eventbrite.com!
FIGHT THE BUDGET CUT! HELP SAVE GENERAL ASSISTANCE
There will be a meeting to discuss the cuts in the Pennsylvania and ideas to help save General Assistance.
WHEN: Wednesday, May 30 at 7:00
WHERE: Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware
Because of ours and others efforts millions of dollars will be put back in the State's Budget. The greater our efforts now that we have begun to win, the more we will be able to save. If you would like more information about the event please email Lance Haver (Lance.Haver@Yahoo.com).
CAMP LAUNCHED TO HELP CHILDREN AFFECTED BY FAMILY ADDICTION
The Moyer Foundation has partnered with Penn Foundation to launch Camp Mariposa, a free overnight weekend camp for youth ages 9 through 12 who are living with addiction in their families.This safe and caring environment gives campers the freedom to talk about substance abuse in their family without the fear of being judged and most importantly, assures them that they are not alone.
The first session of Camp Mariposa Pennsylvania, located in Quarketwon, will be held June 22-24, with camps held every other month to help provide ongoing and consistent education and support. Camp will be staffed by Penn Foundation mental health and substance abuse professionals, and trained volunteers, who will provide education, counseling, and support in a fun, traditional camp setting.
Campers will have opportunities to learn about the disease of addiction and its impact on the family, techniques for coping with a loved one’s addiction, tips for prevention, and available resources that they can turn to for help. Campers will also be able to participate in selected organized activities such as volleyball, basketball, swimming, canoeing, paddle boating, and an obstacle course that includes high and low ropes, zip line, climbing tower, and giant swing.
For more information about Camp Mariposa Pennsylvania, contact Michele Barnes, Project Coordinator, at (215) 257-9999 ext. 100 or mbarnes@pennfoundation.org or visit http://www.PennFoundation.org. For more information about The Moyer Foundation, visit http://www.moyerfoundation.org or call the Philadelphia office at (267) 687-7724.
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