PathWays PA Policy Blog

From the NY Times  http://nyti.ms/2nIUEtp President Trump's budget plan released this morning shows sharp changes in spending compared to previous federal budgets, including the elimination of many programs for low-income people such as the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) , the Legal Services Corporation , and Community Services Block Grants . Other programs to be eliminated include the Corporation for National and Community Service , which runs AmeriCorps and other community service programs, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting ,  and more than 50 programs in the EPA . You can read a full list via  The Washington Post . Meanwhile, the  Department of Veterans Affairs , the  Department of Homeland Security , and the  Department of Defense  are all seeing increases in their budgets under the new plan. The full budget blueprint is available here . So what's next? Congress will begin holding hearings on the President's budg...

Part of my assignment as an AmeriCorps VISTA at the Chester Economic Development Authority (CEDA) in the City of Chester was to create a survey that would be made available to nonprofits within the community that would serve to gauge their impact, highlight their value, and uncover areas for improvement. The results would be used to inform the nonprofit community, potential donors and supporters, and other members of the Chester community of both the current state of affairs in the nonprofit sector and of what opportunities might exist for improvement in the future. The survey linked to here - Chester Nonprofit Survey - is the final product. It was developed with guidance from PathWays PA, United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey in Delaware County, Chester Education Foundation, and the Chester Youth Collaborative. I had a series of meetings with leaders from the aforementioned nonprofit organizations to help me sculpt the survey into something that would not only ...

View Chester Nonrpofits in a full screen map City of Chester Nonprofit Map During June of 2012, I came to the City of Chester as an AmeriCorps VISTA placed with support from PathWays PA at the Chester Economic Development Authority (CEDA).  This map and the accompanying list of nonprofit organizations' basic information, located underneath the map and accessible by scrolling down in the map window, is one product of my term of service, and I hope it is effective in improving access to services in the Chester community. This map and list are not exhaustive in that they do not include all nonprofits based in the City of Chester. Some organizations operating in Chester are not 501(c)(3)-registered, some are difficult to locate, and I'm sure there are some I am still not aware of despite lots of time and effort spent searching. This list certainly does not provide information regarding nonprofits based outside of Chester that have a heavy presence in the City, althou...

AmeriCorps NCCC is now accepting service project proposals for 2014. AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) is a full-time, team-based service program for men and women aged 18-24. The mission of AmeriCorps NCCC is to strengthen communities and develop leaders through direct, team-based national and community service. Now is your chance to take advantage of an affordable way for your community to get short-term projects completed. Whether it's blazing trails, installing rain gardens, building homes, or supporting disaster recovery efforts, the NCCC is the program to help you achieve your goals! AmeriCorps NCCC Atlantic Region (states served: CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT, DC, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands) invites prospective Project Sponsors to apply for an NCCC team in the 2014 program year, beginning March 2014. Deployment of teams is organized by rounds (4 to 8 weeks). There is a simple two-step process to apply for a team: A Proj...

PathWays PA is excited to announce several openings for AmeriCorps VISTA positions among our partners across the state. If you are interested in serving your country and your community, please see if one of these positions is right for you. PathWays PA/American Red Cross  VISTA 08/27/2013-08/26/2014  PA Help the American Red Cross serve those who serve! We seek 2 VISTA members to develop programming related to direct and indirect services serving military and veteran families in Southeastern PA. PathWays PA/Boat People SOS HAPP   VISTA 08/27/2013-08/26/2014  PA Join Boat People SOS to find creative solutions to longstanding health problems among the Vietnamese community! The VISTA will support work in health care outreach/education projects. PathWays PA/Boat People SOS ECO  VISTA 08/27/2013-08/26/2014  PA Support the Boat People SOS team to deepen and broaden work with the Philadelphia Vietnamese community! Help us plan community events, rec...

Just as AmeriCorps VISTA members work to expand and build the capacity of community projects, VISTA Leaders work to expand and build the capacity of individual AmeriCorps VISTA members and their respective service sites. Leaders have demonstrated leadership skills and qualities during their initial term of service and have accepted a new level of responsibility. If you have already done one year of AmeriCorps VISTA and are interested in using your leadership skills to work with other VISTAs, please consider coming on board at PathWays PA. You can learn more about being a VISTA Leader at http://vistacampus.org/mod/book/view.php?id=2093&chapterid=2143 . PathWaysPA-LEAD VISTA for Self Sufficiency VLDR 08/27/2013 PA PathWays PA's Self Sufficiency Department focuses on building career ladders for low-income individuals and providing financial education and resources to become self-sufficient.

From our friends at AmeriCorps Alums . This weekend, the House passed H.R. 1, legislation that would make deep cuts in government spending for the rest of the fiscal year. The measure – which eliminates AmeriCorps -- passed 235-189 . After hearing the news that AmeriCorps was being threatened, AmeriCorps alum Caleb Jonas decided he had to do something. From a coffee shop in Massachusetts, Caleb created a petition asking Congress to "Save AmeriCorps.” Caleb’s inspiring alumni action has already been signed by 40,000+ Americans -- without significant promotion from any major organization. Until now. Your signature will help AmeriCorps Alums and Caleb reach his goal of 85,000 signatures -- one signature for every AmeriCorps member currently serving their country. DEADLINE: Thursday, 5 p.m. The House vote is just one step in the legislative process. The bill has been sent to the Senate for their consideration, and the Senate and the President will have opportunities to shape...

PathWays PA has begun a new blog designed to share our resources online! As a nonprofit organization that serves more than 6,000 women, children, and families in the Greater Philadelphia area each year, PathWays PA has developed a number of resources to help us meet our mission: "To help women, teens, children and families achieve economic independence and family well-being."  Throughout the past thirteen months or so, you have been able to access some of these resources through our website , this blog , and our sister blog, The Coalition for Healthy Families and Workplaces .  Now, you can access even more resources on our newest blog, PathWays PA Resource Library . PathWays PA Resource Library is a compilation of financial education and asset development resources, public benefits information, and career tools for agency staff and community members.  It will be run by PathWays PA's AmeriCorps VISTA members, and will cover topics including: banking budgeting cover ...

Residential Worker Need caring and motivated individual to provide support and supervision for Delco group home serving women and children; HS/GED, Associates Degree and experience preferred; driver’s license required. Includes nights and weekends. Fax resumes to: LD/CFF 610-328-2807. Childcare Worker Child Learning Center at Delco Group home. Must have knowledge of early childhood development & ability to nurture and promote positive growth in pre school age children. AA in Early Childhood Ed. preferred. Fax resume to LD/CFF 610-328-2807. Trauma-informed Therapists PathWaysPA is seeking quality therapists to provide trauma-informed therapeutic services to women, teen mothers and teen girls in their homes. Must be trained-in trauma-informed services and be familiar with the S.E.L.F. model; must also be comfortable addressing sexual abuse and domestic violence issues. Flexible hours required. LSW and credentialed/eligible to be credentialed to provide services to CB...

PathWays PA Celebrates AmeriCorps Week and the 700 Million Hours AmeriCorps Members Have Spent Addressing Problems in Communities AmeriCorps*VISTA members at PathWays PA, a non-profit organization that assists low-income families and individuals to gain self-sufficiency in the greater Philadelphia area, joined the fourth nationwide celebration of AmeriCorps Week, May 8-15, spotlighting the vital work done by AmeriCorps members in communities across the country since the national service program began sixteen years ago. Since its inception in 1994, nearly 650,000 men and women have joined AmeriCorps, and they have committed more than 700 million hours to addressing real problems in communities -- from soaring dropout rates to unemployment and finding affordable housing. At PathWays PA, AmeriCorps VISTAs spent the months leading up to AmeriCorps Week coordinating the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program in their local communities. This service assists low-income familie...

Pittsburgh, PA - AmeriCorps*VISTA members in Pittsburgh, PA who are sponsored by PathWays PA, a non-profit in the greater Philadelphia area, will join the fourth annual nationwide celebration of AmeriCorps Week, May 8-15th 2010. The four VISTA members sponsored by PathWays PA serve at two Pittsburgh non-profit agencies, Family Resources and Just Harvest. The week is an opportunity for members to celebrate their accomplishments and raise awareness around the opportunities for others to serve. Since its inception in 1994, 637,000 Americans have given more than 770 million hours of service through AmeriCorps. AmeriCorps members help students learn to read, mentor at-risk youth, provide health services, build homes for low-income families, and help nonprofits recruit more volunteers and better achieve their mission. This year members will be participating in a number of events around the Pittsburgh area, such as “Wilkinsburg Goes Green!,” “AmeriCorps at Bat!” (sponsored by the Pittsbur...