School District of Philadelphia Updates

The City continues to operate access centers for students who need a safe location to participate in virtual learning – registration is required.
For more information visit https://www.phila.gov/programs/access-centers/

Kindergarten registration for Fall 2021 is now open. Visit https://www.philasd.org/studentplacement/services/kindergarten-registration/

The District has opened 6 Specialized Services Regional Centers citywide to safely provide in-person services for students with special needs, including student assessments and IEPs (by appointment). More info at https://www.philasd.org/blog/2021/01/13/district-to-open-specialized-services-regional-centers-for-students-with-special-needs/

SKCP COMMUNITY ZONING VIRTUAL MEETING

Wednesday, JANUARY 27th at 6.30 pm.

To register for the meeting click here

You may also sign up by calling South Kensington Community Partners’ office at 215-427-3463 and leaving a message with your name and number. SKCP will provide reasonable accommodation to any neighbor that requests additional assistance with joining the meeting or otherwise submitting feedback on the project.

The site to be discussed at the meeting is the following:

• 6.30pm 1522-24 N 4th STREET, view here the plan.

We will have limited time for questions during the virtual meeting. To ensure your question is answered, please review project materials in advance of the meeting and submit any questions to rco@southkensingtoncommunity.org and include the project name in the email subject line.

WINC: Women in Nontraditional Careers Institute

2nd Annual Women in Nontraditional Careers (WINC) Institute:
“She’s Still Standing, Stand With Her”
January, 26 -28
4:00-6:30 PM

Our focus is on 3 industries in the Philadelphia region: construction, manufacturing and transit. We welcome tradeswomen and allies from industry, unions, education/training, government and nonprofits.
Learn best practices, network and celebrate the resilience of Philadelphia-area tradeswomen during the challenges this past year.

• Workshops on best practices for recruiting and retaining women, practical safety and health tips for tradeswomen, mentorship models to retain tradeswomen

• Hear from tradeswomen about their experiences

• Discover new resources to encourage and support more youth and adult women to build their careers in the trades in construction, manufacturing and transit

Register now for access to all of the virtual sessions.

Lost Bread Co. Virtual Baking Demonstration

Wednesday, January 27th
5:30 p.m.

The brains behind Lost Bread Co. are determined to bring back a variety of healthy and delicious grains that were lost to the mass production of white flour. Join WHYY for a virtual demonstration of Lost Bread Co.'s take on an American classic: whole grain chocolate chip cookies. After the demonstration, bring your questions for a Q&A.
Choose the WHYY Basket ticket and Lost Bread Co. will curate a basket of baking basics for the whole grain chocolate chip cookie demonstration!

Register here to receive the virtual event link via email.

Moratorium on Evictions & Renters Assistance

The CDC has extended their moratorium on evictions for non-payment through March 31, 2021.
To be protected you need to follow important steps. Click here for more information, and for other local, state and federal tenant protections.
The Philadelphia Eviction Prevention Project is here to assist you. Call 267-443-2500 for free legal advice and possible representation!
More details here.

The City of Philadelphia is helping renters stay in their homes. One way is by offering emergency rental assistance to help tenants who have lost income due to COVID-19. Rental assistance helps landlords too.
To date there have been three rounds of rental assistance for Philadelphia tenants:

• Phase 1 accepted applications in mid-May

• Phase 2 accepted applications between July and November 4th.

• Phase 3 Tenants eligible for Phase 3 received an email notification. The deadline for submitting Phase 3 information is February 12, 2021.

• Phase 4 opening up in March.

Read more here.

PPP = Paycheck Protection Plan Funding

PPP at Community First
SBA Paycheck Protection Program Loan
A new round of funding for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), administered by the SBA, continues the availability of much-needed financial support for eligible small businesses to help keep employees and stay open safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. To provide the highest level of customer service, we are dividing applications into two different categories: 1. Second-Time Community First Fund PPP Borrowers, and 2. First-Time Community First Fund PPP Borrowers.

Read more here and to start your application.

UPDATE: Saturday Free Food Distribution

SKCP and the Arab American CDC will be distributing FREE boxes of healthy food through the Farm to Families program every Saturday beginning January 30th at 4pm in the parking lot of Al Aqsa Islamic Society at 1501 Germantown Avenue.

No ID or proof of income is needed. *Distribution is "first come first serve" so it is best to arrive before or as close to 4pm as possible. There will be a line, but it will move quickly. One allotment per family but you can pick up for an elder or neighbor. Offerings vary by week but include fresh fruits and vegetables, milk, bread, chicken, eggs, and bread. Masks are required and we ask that you maintain social distancing to protect yourself, our neighbors and volunteers.

We are able to offer some delivery to nearby (19122/23) seniors, immune compromised, and households unable to make it to the distribution site. If you would like to request delivery OR assist those on your block, OR if you want to volunteer to assist with distribution/delivery please leave a message at 215-427-3463.

Together with the AACDC, we offer our Gratitude and Appreciation to the Share Food Program & to Penn Treaty Special Services District (PTSSD) for the additional support that enables us to extend our offerings and support more households. Much appreciation also to neighborhood businesses Al Amana Grocery, and Lost Bread Co for their generous donations of time, space, and product. And of course, to all our neighbors including everyone who receives food and all those who volunteer to help.

Find free food and meals during COVID-19 clicking here.

GUN BUYBACK

City Council, Anti-Violence Activists, Civic Leaders To Sponsor
First Gun Buy Back Events of 2021

Individuals will be able to turn in working handguns or semi-automatic firearms only - safely and confidentially and in return will receive a $100 gift certificate to Brown’s ShopRite stores in Philadelphia. Funding for the gift certificates is provided through a generous grant from the Greenfield Foundation

PGW Covid-19 Relief Grant

Read more about the PGW COVID-19 Relief Grant here, and PGW COVID-19 UPDATES here.

Financial Assistance for Renters, Businesses & Property Tax

Philadelphia’s COVID rental assistance program to roll out differently in 2021
Taylor Allen, WHYY

After a year of hard lessons, Philadelphia officials say a new and improved COVID-19 rental assistance program will come online in March. Among the changes in the works for the program funded by Congress as part of a $900 billion COVID relief package passed in December, are new income requirements and up to 12 months of aid, though only three months of that can be for forward rent, according to the federal rules.
Read here the new rules.

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Everything Restaurants Need to Know About the $284 Billion PPP Program
Ryan Sutton, EATER New York
Here’s how bars, cafes, and restaurants can qualify for the PPP loans, which fully convert to grants if used properly. Read here.

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Owe business taxes because of COVID-19? We have a plan for you
Lana Adams, Department of Revenue Philadelphia
The Department of Revenue understands the COVID-19 health crisis impacted businesses in Philadelphia tremendously. In response, we’re releasing a new payment plan to support businesses that were in tax compliance before the pandemic struck. If you needed a plan to get back on track with taxes, we’ve got one for you. More information here.

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Your 2020 property tax bill is now delinquent, but we can help
Lana Adams Department of Revenue Philadelphia
You may have already been racking up monthly interest and penalties on your unpaid 2020 Real Estate Taxes. But if you don’t pay soon, your account could look worse. Bills for 2020 Real Estate Tax were due on June 15, 2020. As of January 1, any unpaid property taxes mean: Additional costs, A delinquent status on your balance, A lien filed against your property, and Possibly losing your home at a sheriff sale.
You can say goodbye to these additional burdens, whether your debt is big or small. The Department of Revenue:

• Makes it easy for you to make full or partial payments,

• Offers affordable payment plans, and

• Has programs that could help reduce future tax bills.

More information here.

SKCP Service Area Briefing: Housing is essential

Click here to register in advance.

RESOURCES ON HOUSING

Get Help with your Mortgage During COVID-19
Philadelphia Legal Assistance

Philadelphia homeowners with individual questions should call the Save Your Home Philly Hotline from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday- Friday at 215-334-4663.
The Consumer Housing Unit and the Save Your Home Philly Hotline at Philadelphia Legal Assistance have spoken to hundreds of Philadelphians who are worried about their homes. Common areas of concern include loss of income due to unemployment, the death of a family member, or falling behind on mortgage payments. Luckily, there are different forms of assistance available to support these homeowners.
More details here.

DPD Housing Benefits
Department of Planning and Development

Use our housing helper to find what programs you might be eligible for: The Department of Planning and Development (DPD) supports many programs and services that help residents buy, repair, and keep their home. By answering a few questions here, you will get a list of programs for which you may be eligible. For most of the programs you will have the option for someone to contact you. There are a few programs that you will have to contact them directly.
Read here.

The Philadelphia Eviction Prevention Project is here to assist you!
PhillyTenant.org

Call 267-443-2500 for free legal advice and possible representation!

More details here.

SKCP Virtual Community Meeting

Folks are encouraged to pre-register.
Here's the link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUqfuispjgjH930I2Ob_smi87RqxMM1iAYx

UPDATE: Saturday Free Food Distribution

Beginning in June, through a partnership with Share Food Program and the City of Philadelphia, SKCP and the Arab American CDC distributed free boxes of healthy food every Saturday in the parking lot of Al Aqsa Islamic Society. Unfortunately, with the coming of the new year, the Farm to Families program that supplied that food was suspended.

We are working to identify new partners and suppliers and now expect that Saturday distribution will begin again within the next two weeks.

At that time, we will continue to offer some delivery to nearby (19122/23) seniors and other immune compromised households unable to make it to the distribution site. If you would like to request delivery or assist someone on your block, or help with delivery please call and leave a message at 215-427-3463.

Together with the AACDC, we offer our Gratitude and Appreciation to the Share Food Program & to Penn Treaty Special Services District (PTSSD) for the additional support that enabled us to extend our offerings and support more households. Much appreciation also to neighborhood businesses Al Amana Grocery, and Lost Bread Co for their generous donations of time, space, and product. And of course, to all our neighbors including everyone who received food and all those who volunteered to help distribute.

Find free food and meals during COVID-19 clicking here.

COVID-19 VACCINE PRIORITY GROUPS

Phase 1a, 1b or 1c? Understanding Coronavirus Vaccine Priority Groups. Dena Bunis, AARP

CDC panel recommends Americans 75 and older, frontline workers be second in line for shots.

People age 75 and older and frontline essential workers, including police officers, firefighters, teachers, grocery store staff and U.S. Postal Service employees, should be next in line to get a COVID-19 vaccine, a federal advisory panel recommended on Dec. 20.

By a 13-1 vote, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) also recommended to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that people ages 65 to 74, people ages 16 to 64 with high-risk conditions and other essential workers follow in what's being called Phase 1c, behind Americans 75-plus and frontline essential employees in Phase 1b. Whether or not to include all people 65 and older in Phase 1b consumed much of the debate during ACIP's five-hour meeting.

Read more here.

COVID-19 Vaccine

Vaccines are safe and effective and the best way to protect you and those around you from serious illnesses. The COVID-19 vaccine will be distributed to Pennsylvanians in a phased approach.

*Have a question about the COVID-19 vaccines?

Call PA Health Hotline at 1-877-724-3258

COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions, click here for answers.

CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING OPTIONS

Spread cheer, recycle right this year.

From presents and party supplies to wrapping paper and plastics, there’s a lot to recycle during the holidays. But don’t forget one of the most important items—your tree. The 2021 Christmas Tree Recycling program runs Monday, January 4th to Saturday, January 16th (8a-6p Monday-Saturday, NO Sundays) at the City’s six Sanitation Convenience Centers.
You may also drop off your trees on Saturday, January 9th and Saturday, January 16th (from 9a-3p) at these 13 designated locations:

54th St. & Woodbine Ave. 43rd St. & Powelton Ave.
Broad St. & Christian St. Castor Ave. & Foulkrod St.
1400 Cottman Ave. (Jardel Rec.) 15th St. & Bigler St.
Corinthian Ave. & Poplar St. 7901 Ridgeway St. (Fox Chase Rec.)
American St. & Thompson St. Graver Ln. & Seminole St.
Cathedral Rd. & Ridge Ave. Washington Ln. & Ardleigh St.
4800 Wayne Ave. (Happy Hollow Rec. Ctr.)

Help the City cut down on costly contamination. For more on what you can and can’t recycle this holiday season, visit philadelphiastreets.com/holiday.

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How to let goats eat your Christmas tree, or recycle it another way in Philly
Danya Henninger, BillyPenn

You don’t have to trash that fir you so carefully decorated after it was chopped down. The folks behind the Philly Goat Project partnered with the Philadelphia Streets Department and Parks and Rec to get the trees to their animals this year. Douglas firs are apparently a favorite, but the goats will eat any kind of evergreen, according to WHYY’s PlanPhilly, devouring the whole thing in about 20 minutes.
Philly Goat Project tree drop-offs are happening at the following times and places:
10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 9, at 6336 Ardleigh St.
10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 23, at 6336 Ardleigh St.
10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 30, at 3850 W. Ford Rd.

Read more here.

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Utility Shutoff Starting Soon!!!

Neighborhood Energy Centers serve as “one-stop-shops” for all energy services and provide a comprehensive approach to energy problems for low to moderate-income consumers. Click the image to download the NEC list with addresses.

Contact a Neighborhood Energy Center (NEC) if you need help with:

(Download the list clicking on the image)

• Energy Assistance Grants

• Utility Payments Arrangements

• Energy Conservation

• UESF

• Home Repair Programs

• Budged Counseling

• LIHEAP

Heater Hotline
The Heater Hotline provides free repairs for income eligible homeowners with broken gas, oil, coal, or electric heating systems. This year round program can perform preventative maintenance and heater clean outs during the spring and summer months.
More details here.

Download the Energy Information Packet [pdf] for answers to What, Who, How and links + tips.

For more information on applying to assistance programs, visit https://clsphila.org/services/utility-bills/

UPDATE: Saturday Free Food Distribution

Since June, SKCP and the Arab American CDC have been able to distribute free boxes of healthy food every Saturday with the partnership of the Share Food Program and the City of Philadelphia. Unfortunately, with the coming of the new year, the Farm to Families program that supplied that food has ended. We are working now to identify new partners and suppliers and hope to resume distribution within a couple of weeks. Further updates coming soon.

Together with the AACDC, we offer our Gratitude and Appreciation to the Share Food Program & to Penn Treaty Special Services District (PTSSD) for the additional support that enabled us to extend our offerings and support more households. Much appreciation also to neighborhood businesses Al Amana Grocery, and Lost Bread Co for their generous donations of time, space, and product. And of course, to all our neighbors including everyone who received food and all those who volunteered to help distribute.

Find free food and meals during COVID-19 clicking here.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Thanks to you,
we've met our Annual Fundraiser goal!

We are so inspired by and thankful for your generosity, especially during these times that have made SKCP's work in the community even more critical. Your contributions will have great impact in our efforts to continue to serve our neighbors and expand our programs, and we will continue to highlight the "patches" of work we do as an organization through December 31st. That said, it's not too late to donate if you'd like to support these efforts as a part of the 2020 Annual Fundraiser!

Click here to DONATE