The SKCP Blog
Upcoming Service Area Briefing with the Philly Register of Wills!
South Kensington Community Partners
Flyer for March 23 Service Area Briefing with the Register of Wills. Click image to register for the Zoom meeting.
SKCP COMMUNITY ZONING VIRTUAL MEETING
South Kensington Community Partners
Wednesday, FEBRUARY 24th 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 sites to be discussed at the meeting are the following:
6.30pm 1539 N American Street (view here the plan).
7.30pm 1640 N Hancock 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.
FREE FOOD PICKUP
South Kensington Community Partners
Get the flyer here
Looking for Volunteers: If you have a car or truck and want to help with Saturday deliveries, please call and leave a message @ 215-427-3463
Philadelphia COVID-19 Restaurant and Gym Relief Program
South Kensington Community Partners
The Commerce Department & the Office of Business Services wanted to connect with the Restaurant and Gym business community to answer all questions about the Philadelphia COVID-19 Restaurant and Gym Relief Program. The Philadelphia COVID-19 Restaurant and Gym Relief Program (RGRP) is designed to provide financial relief to small businesses located in Philadelphia that have been among the most adversely affected by the latest round of pandemic-related restrictions enacted in November 2020. Eligible businesses are limited to restaurants with indoor dining, gyms, and businesses whose primary activity is indoor exercise. This event provides a platform for business owners to ask questions verbally or via chat, that will be answered in an open forum.
Applications will open on January 28, 2021 and the deadline to apply is February 9, 2021.
Click here for details and to register.
FREE FOOD DISTRIBUTION RETURNS
South Kensington Community Partners
Saturday, January 30th - Food Distribution Returns
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.
COVID-19 NEWS
South Kensington Community Partners
The City is encouraging residents to sign up online and complete the Vaccine Interest Form to express interest in receiving the vaccine as it becomes available.
Visit https://covid-vaccine-interest.phila.gov
to complete the form.
An illustrated guide to how the COVID-19 vaccines work
Tom Avril and Dominique DeMoe, Philadelphia Inquirer
It is impossible for the RNA vaccines to cause infection. And no, they can’t change your DNA. The first two COVID-19 vaccines to be distributed, one made by Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE, the other by Moderna Inc., are the first such drugs to consist of genetic instructions in the form of RNA: ribonucleic acid.
Here is a step-by-step description of the process, written with guidance from University of Pennsylvania scientist Drew Weissman, whose work with former colleague Katalin Karikó, now at BioNTech, helped make the vaccines possible.
School District of Philadelphia Updates
South Kensington Community Partners
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
South Kensington Community Partners
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
South Kensington Community Partners
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
South Kensington Community Partners
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
South Kensington Community Partners
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
South Kensington Community Partners
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
South Kensington Community Partners
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
South Kensington Community Partners
City Council, Anti-Violence Activists, Civic Leaders To Sponsor
First Gun Buy Back Events of 2021
Individuals will be able to turn in
PGW Covid-19 Relief Grant
South Kensington Community Partners
Financial Assistance for Renters, Businesses & Property Tax
South Kensington Community Partners
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.
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.
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.
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
South Kensington Community Partners
Click here to register in advance.
RESOURCES ON HOUSING
South Kensington Community Partners
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.
