PathWays PA Policy Blog

House Bill 222 , which previously would have imposed a lifetime ban for all people convicted of drug felonies from receiving SNAP/food stamp benefits and other forms of public assistance, has been amended in response to public outcry. Unfortunately, the redrafted bill remains flawed at heart. The bottom line is, access to such basic subsistence such as food should not be banned once someone has completed their prison sentence. While HB 222 now exempts domestic violence survivors  with a documented "judicial adjudication" of abuse , this still leaves out the majority of survivors of domestic violence, sexual abuse, and human trafficking. Amendments have also decreased the lifetime ban to 20 years, an empty promise for those wanting to rebuild their lives upon release from prison or completion of a drug treatment program. Because there will be a vote this week or early next, prompt action must be taken to stop this flawed bill from becoming law. You can make sure your voice...

From our friends at Women in Transition "Chisholm '72: Unbought and Unbossed" a film by Shola Lynch, will be screened on May 15 beginning at 6:15pm at the Friends Center, 1501 Cherry Street in Philadelphia . This compelling documentary takes an in-depth look at the 1972 presidential campaign of Shirley Chisholm, the first black woman elected to Congress and the first to seek nomination for the highest office in the land.  The film will be followed by a speaker, Dr. Niambi M. Carter, associate professor of African-American Studies at Temple University. Dr. Carter, who focuses on american politics with a specific focus on race, will speak briefly prior to the screening and initiate a discussion afterwards about the historical significance of Ms. Chisholm's run. Click here for more information and ticket availability.  Women in Transition (WIT) is a proud member of the PathWays PA family.

PathWays PA and Women in Transition are creating a partnership to better serve women in the Greater Philadelphia Region. Please join us for our Affiliation Announcement and Reception sponsored by The Philadelphia Foundation and the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey.