The SKCP Blog
Along with mask-wearing, health officials say ventilation is key to avoiding infection.
PPD Citywide Crime Prevention and Violence Reduction Action Plan
South Kensington Community Partners
Commissioner Danielle M. Outlaw
This action plan will indeed serve to strengthen and more fully commit all efforts to our three organizational pillars: Organizational Excellence, Crime Prevention and Violence Reduction, and Community Engagement and Inclusion. It reflects a holistic and collaborative approach to addressing violent crime, and abides within the framework of the City’s overarching Roadmap to Safer Communities.
Click here for PPD Commissioner Outlaw's June 26th Press Statement regarding this Action Plan. View [pdf] the Action Plan here.
City launches program to provide free internet access to 35,000 families.
South Kensington Community Partners
Lauren Wiley, The Notebook
The city and the Philadelphia School District are tackling the digital divide with the launch of PHLConnectED, a $17 million program to offer free Comcast Internet Essentials service to 35,000 families of K-12 students for two years.
The program will be paid for by public funds and private donors. Officials said Comcast is contributing $7 million to the effort. The city will use $2 million in local CARES Act funding, $1 million from the William Penn Foundation, and additional grants from the Neubauer Family Foundation, the Philadelphia School Partnership, and others. The School District and a number of charter schools also are investing in the project. So far, $11 million has been raised. The city hopes to secure the funding to extend the program beyond two years. Mark Wheeler, Philadelphia’s chief information officer, said this effort addresses “an immediate need,” adding that the city is engaged in a longer-term effort to bridge the digital divide with the goal “to address the needs of all households beyond K-12 and make it permanent.”
More here.
‘They’re cutting 30% of the time that we have left’: Census outreach goes into overdrive
South Kensington Community Partners
Ximena Conde, WHYY
Census advocates in Philadelphia and Camden are working overtime after learning that their deadline has been moved up by a whole month. Outreach workers, who were already canvassing around the clock in intense summer heat, received another in a long series of blows this week when the U.S. Census Bureau announced it would end all counting efforts by Sept. 30.
“They’re cutting 30% of the time that we have left, and that’s a big deal,” said Stephanie Reid, executive director of PhillyCounts. Right now, 66% of Pennsylvanians have filled out the census, while only 52% of Philadelphians have done so — a disparity seen in other large cities.
More here
Become a Poll Worker
South Kensington Community Partners
Be a champion of democracy! Become a poll worker in Pennsylvania.
Elections in Pennsylvania are made possible by thousands of regular citizens serving as poll workers across the Commonwealth. We all depend on responsible workers to run smooth elections.
Get involved today!
Click here on How to Become a Poll Worker
GRANTS for Small Business Available!!
South Kensington Community Partners
LISC Small Business Relief Grants
Grant Application: Application period for round 5 is now open. Before applying, please review the grant information and FAQ here.
Applications must be submitted by Monday, August 3rd at 11:59 p.m. EST.
More details here.
APPLY NOW
IMPORTANT APPLICATION NOTICE FOR THE PA SMALL BUSINESS GRANT PROGRAM
FINANTA is one of 18 CDFIs that make up the PA CDFI Network and is administering the COVID-19 Relief Pennsylvania Statewide Small Business Assistance Program. The application window for the first round of the program is now closed. Grant decisions for the first round will be made in the coming weeks on a rolling basis. The second round is expected to open in August.
For more information or to prepare for the second round application window, Click Here
Craft Business Survey
South Kensington Community Partners
The impacts and hardships brought upon our creative economy during the first half of 2020 will have long-lasting effects. To understand and better serve Philadelphia’s craft and making community, we need to hear from you. The questions in this survey aim to –
Quantify Philadelphia’s craft business and small-batch manufacturing sector
Identify existing support programs that can serve makers
Advocate for the development of new services that will support and grow this network
More information about the survey, click here.
Click here to take the survey if you are a maker, service provider or patron
Ya Fav Trashman!!
South Kensington Community Partners
Ya Fav Trashman’ gives an inside look at Philly trash pickup on Instagram and the city is listening
Stephanie Farr, Philadelphia Inquirer
As the controversy over delays in Philadelphia’s trash collection began to mount in June, sanitation worker Terrill Haigler heard residents’ anguished and, (this is Philly) sometimes angry, cries about the garbage piling up on city streets. “People were yearning for an understanding and an answer to why their trash is the way it is,” he said. So he created an Instagram account — @YaFavTrashman — to give people “an inside look at the daily habits of a trashman,” a profession he believes is “probably the most underrated job in America.” More here.
Trash piling up? Here’s where you can take it.
Grace Dickinson, Philadelphia Inquirer
Yes, the current trash situation is frustrating for everyone, and we’re all tired of staring at soggy pizza boxes outside the front window. But until the Streets Department gets collection schedules back on track, there are centers where you can dispose of your own trash.
They’re called Philadelphia’s Sanitation Convenience Centers. There are six located throughout the city.
Here is more about Philadelphia’s Sanitation Convenience Center drop-off process, and What’s accepted.
The closest one is located at Port Richmond: 3901 Delaware Ave.
Why are Philly’s streets full of trash during Covid-19? City’s former Zero Waste and Litter Director weighs in.
Nicolas Esposito, GritPhilly
Our City Sanitation system is broken. It was broken before Covid-19 and the cracks are now beginning to give way to a full breakdown of the system due to the pandemic as both trash and recycling pickups are consistently delayed. The reason my former office, the City’s Zero Waste and Litter office, was created in 2016 was because we needed to reduce waste in the City, but also because obvious problems existed in the Sanitation department. So it’s frustrating that one of the primary excuses the Streets Department provided in this statement and Commissioner William’s op-ed is a major increase in residential waste now that people have been staying home during Covid-19. This statement represents the perpetual mistake that the Streets Department and many private and public sector service providers make. Rather than take a hard look at the failings of the system, they blame users for the breakdown of the system.
Read here.
Trash and Recycling Schedule
South Kensington Community Partners
ALERT (07/23/2020).
Streets Department Updates Trash and Recycling Schedule for the Week of July 27, 2020.
The Department will return to a normal recycling schedule on Wednesday July 29th, 2020. Residents should continue to expect delays throughout the week as crews work to pick up materials. Residents are encouraged to utilize the six Sanitation Convenience Centers located throughout the City to drop off trash and recycling at any time throughout the week to avoid collection delays.
More here.
Reversing course, Philly now plans to begin school year 100% online
South Kensington Community Partners
Avi Wolfman-Arent, WHYY
The School District of Philadelphia plans to open the school year fully online after staff and parents blasted an earlier attempt to offer some in-person learning.
The revised approach, released Tuesday afternoon, calls for all students to learn online until at least November 17.
More here.
PHLpreK offers free, quality pre-K. Sign up today!
South Kensington Community Partners
The City of Philadelphia’s free, quality pre-k program is now enrolling for the 2020-2021 school year, at over 130 locations throughout the city.
The City of Philadelphia’s free, quality pre-k program is now enrolling for the 2020-2021 school year, at over 130 locations throughout the city.
All children who live in Philadelphia and will be 3 or 4 years old on September 1 are eligible. There are no income requirements for participation in this pre-K program.
Enrolling is as easy as 1-2-3:
1- Visit PHLpreK.org or call 844-PHL-PREK to find a program near you
2- Contact the program of your preference
3- Provide proof of age and residency, and complete the PHLpreK application
Please note: All childcare and pre-K providers are following new safety and cleaning protocols, in compliance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. These include:
- Mask requirements
- Social distancing and limited class sizes
- New cleaning protocols
The safety of PHLpreK students, families, and staff is our top priority. Learn more about our COVID-19 safety plan at PHLpreK.org.
Find a program and sign up today!
Virtual Community Advisory Council Meeting
South Kensington Community Partners
Wednesday, August 12, 2020
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM EDT
It is our top priority to continue to serve Philadelphian's by providing the most up to date information on PGW's programs and services. Please join us for our Virtual Community Advisory Council Virtual Meeting to discuss topics such as;
How to Apply for Utility Assistance Grants
Payment Options during COVID-19
Residential Service Safety Program
Upcoming Pipeline Improvement Projects
New Customer Bill Design
Zoom link will be sent to all registrants prior to the event. Register Now!
I can't make it
The Philadelphia Department of Public Health has released the "Coronavirus Interim Racial Equity Plan".
South Kensington Community Partners
The Philadelphia Department of Public Health has released an interim plan to address the racial inequities posed by the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. The plan was developed by a diverse group of stakeholders representing the City, health care institutions, academic centers, and nonprofits. It is divided into eight areas of concern: Access to COVID-19 Testing, Surveillance Data, Community Outreach, Chronic Health Conditions, Protecting Essential Workers, Community Spread, Spread in Congregate Settings, and Case Investigation and Contact Tracing. Each section acknowledges existing disparities in the community, highlights what the City and Health Department are currently doing to address those disparities, and plans for further addressing them.
We Are Philadelphia's Covid-19 Contact Tracing Team.
South Kensington Community Partners
Please, Answer The Call
Hi Philly! We are members of the Philadelphia Department of Health Covid-19 contact tracing team. Contact tracing is an important tool that health departments use to fight diseases. In general, contact tracing involves identifying people who have an infectious disease and their “contacts” (people who may have been exposed) and working with them to stop the spread of the disease. Right now, contact tracing is one of the best ways we have to stop the spread of COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus.
Click here for How does contact tracing work for COVID-19?
Contract Tracing: Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley introduced the Department of Public Health’s contact tracing program. The Department has posted a webpage on this new contact tracing program.
Bills piling up? Get the latest on assistance programs
South Kensington Community Partners
We’re still here to help with your water bill.
More than 20,000 Philadelphia households are now paying lower water bills, and so can you. We offer assistance to:
Anyone experiencing a special hardship making it difficult to pay water bills.
Seniors
Low income customers
Request your application. We delayed shutoff during the City's response to COVID-19. But shutoff for nonpayment will eventually resume. Apply, and you'll be protected from shutoff while we process your application. Learn More
Don’t qualify for assistance? Try a payment agreement
Can’t afford the full amount, or have a large bill? Set up a payment agreement.
Start Today
Questions about these options? Email wrbhelpdesk@phila.gov, or call (215) 685-6300
What happens when the City declares a Heat Health Emergency
South Kensington Community Partners
Sarah Reyes Board of Health, Department of Public Health, Office of the Mayor, Office of Emergency Management
During very hot weather, the City will declare a Heat Health Emergency. When we declare a Heat Health Emergency, we activate several City services to ensure our residents stay safe.
During a Heat Health Emergency it’s important to check on loved ones, neighbors, and pets and look out for each other. When daytime temperatures reach the 90s or triple digits and are accompanied by high humidity for two or more days, dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke can happen. If you think someone is having a medical emergency, call 911.
Remember, during hot weather, NEVER leave children and pets unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. Car interiors can reach lethal temperatures very quickly; It takes only two minutes for a car to reach unsafe temperatures.
Sign up for free text alerts by texting READYPHILA to 888-777
When a Heat Health Emergency is declared:
1. The Philadelphia Corporation for Aging’s Heatline—a special helpline number—is open for calls. Call the hotline at (215) 765-9040.
2. Cooling sites are available to the public.Remember, swimming in Philadelphia’s rivers, streams, and waterways is very dangerous and not allowed. Cool off safely at a sprayground instead.
3. The Office of Homeless Services increases their outreach. Call (215) 232-1984. Call 911 if there is a medical emergency.
4. Additional pet safety measures are enforced by Philadelphia’s Animal Care & Control Team. Owners can face a $500 fine (and can put their pets in grave danger) if they don’t follow ACCT Philly’s requirements.
To report a dog left outdoors in very hot weather, call (267) 385-3800.
More details here.
The Digital Academy
South Kensington Community Partners
School District of Philadelphia
100% Digital Learning Option for K-12 students currently enrolled in District-led schools.
The Digital Academy is a five-day per week instructional program that offers students in Kindergarten through 12th grade the option to engage in learning digitally 100% of the time while also staying connected to their assigned home school.
Digital Academy Program Overview, click here.
Interested in Digital Academy? Let us know by Aug. 4 by clicking here to start the Application Process
STAY COOL
South Kensington Community Partners
To stay cool during a Heat Health Emergency, visit cooling centers, pools and spraygrounds. You can also call the Heatline at (215) 765-9040 for advice on staying cool or information on emergency services.
Cooling Center:
Kensington High School For Creative And Performing Arts,
1901 N Front St
Tips to stay cool, click here. { guide pdf}
Announcing New Webinar Series
South Kensington Community Partners
We're pleased to announce the next segment of our online webinar series: From Making to Selling. This series is for all the makers, artists, entrepreneurs and contract freelancers, who are looking for some actionable advice for building an online presence for their business, product and/or brand. For this series, we'll be focusing on marketing, online sales, social media, and branding to stand out from your online competition. By the end of this series, you will be able to understand how to brand your business/product, how to speak to your "ideal customer" and audience, how to create a content marketing strategy and how to photograph product shots. To view our last segment of From Making to Selling webinars, click here.
Upcoming Webinars
Defining your "Ideal Customer" for Online Sales and Social Media
Thursday, July 30th at 1pm EST
Register Here.Defining your Brand for Online Marketing and Sales
Thursday, August 6th at 1pm EST
Register Here.Product Photography and Descriptions for Online Marketing and Sales
Thursday, August 13th at 1pm EST
Register Here.Generating Content for Social Media and your Website
Thursday, August 20th at 1pm EST
Register Here.
