SEPTA Forward: Bus Revolution is a project that will create a more efficient, effective and accessible bus network.

By creating routes that are more direct, reliable and easier to use, more riders will be able to take advantage of this important service within our community. We will be taking an in-depth look at how the needs of our riders are changing and we want to hear from you. Learn more about how you can make sure your voice is heard and be a part of our Bus Revolution. Click here to fill the survey.

Want to leave a comment or speak to the team? Email us at busnetwork@septa.org or call us at 267.291.6045

---

Technology is changing’: SEPTA finally giving its troubled Key card a reboot.

Darryl C. Murphy, WHYY
Read here.

Probate Deferment Initiative PSA

Calling all Lawyers! We need your help! More than 10,000 Philadelphians reside in a property where ownership is in the name of a deceased relative. We call this a “Tangled Title” and it's a CRISIS.

The Philadelphia Register of Wills's office is working with local Legal Aid Organizations and started "The Probate Deferment Initiative" for low income families. Which delays fee payments so a family can address their tangled title and remain in their home. But, untangling a title is complex and they need to be represented by an Attorney. You have the power to keep a Philadelphia family legally in their home. Please. Will you help? View video here. More informative videos here.

Do you have a Tangled Title? Email for assistance: ROW.PDI@phila.gov

PHS Gardening Contest

Welcome to the PHS Gardening Contest! A true celebration of gardening and gardeners, the PHS Garden Contest allows gardeners of all levels to showcase their horticultural accomplishments in a friendly virtual competition.
Entries can be submitted in the following categories:

• Outdoor Home Gardens

• Indoor Gardens

• Public Space Gardens

The contest deadline has been extended to July 12.

Click here for more details, FAQ and how to apply.

Free produce vouchers available through 2021 Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program

Applications for the 2021 Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program are now being accepted. The annual program provides $24 in free vouchers for fresh, Pennsylvania-grown produce to income-eligible Pennsylvanians 60-plus. PCA is again distributing produce vouchers in Philadelphia by mail. Applications for the 2021 program have been mailed to 2020 produce voucher recipients.
Older adults who did not receive produce vouchers in 2020 can learn more about the program and download an application here. PCA wants to hear from you! Complete our advocacy survey
This initiative was created by PCA’s Board of Directors to better identify priority areas for advocacy with the input of both older Philadelphians and aging network stakeholders.

Please complete the survey (available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Russian) to give us your thoughts on what is important yo you.

Philly public pools return for the first time in 2 years — but fewer than 70% will open

Robby Brod, BillyPenn

For the first time since summer 2019, Philadelphia is opening its public pools. The rolling schedule of openings begins this week, but will only extend to just 69% or so of the available swim spots because of major challenges recruiting lifeguards. Only some of the 70+ Philly pools will welcome residents this year, with the first few launching on Wednesday, and 16 expected by the end of this weekend. A total of 41 will be open by July 10. How did Parks & Rec choose which ones get to open? A combination of neighborhood need, geography, and past pool usage data, officials said.
Here’s the opening schedule, which isn’t as robust as the past because of a major lifeguard shortage. In the neighborhood, Hancock's pool open on Tuesday July 6th and Cruz Rec's pool is closed for the public (read here).

Click here to find Sprinklers and Spraygrounds. Benson Park and Hart Park are open in the neighborhood.

PDPH: Heat Health Emergency Resources

During extreme heat, it's important to check on your neighbors, especially older adults and people with chronic health conditions who are more likely to get sick. Make sure they have access to air conditioning, are staying hydrated, and know how to call for help if they need it. To learn more about what happens when the City declares a Heat Health Emergency, click here.

During the Heat Health Emergency, the following resources will become available:

• The Philadelphia Corporation for Aging will open its Heatline - (215) 765-9040. Residents can call to get health and safety tips and talk to medical professionals about heat-related illness.

• The Office of Homeless Services will increase outreach. If you see someone on the street that needs help, call (215) 232-1984 or 911.

• Pet safety measures will be enforced. To report a dog left outside in very hot weather, call (267) 385-3800.

The City has opened cooling centers that are available for use by all residents looking to escape the heat. Residents can call 311 to find a nearby cooling center, or check out this map or this list of cooling sites, spraygrounds, and pools.

Reach out to publichealthpreparedness@phila.gov with any questions, requests for presentations about extreme heat, or additional resources!

• Other resources:
  Stay Cool, Philly! Brochure English | Spanish

PHLRentalAssistance Open Office Hours @ SKCP

REMINDER: La Esquina Summerfest!

438 W Jefferson St
Saturday June 26 (Rain Date Sun 6/27)
4-7PM

• BBQ & Potluck

• Firepit

• BYOB

• Bring an instrument

RSVP/Questions:
laesquinagarden@gmail.com
or call 215-221-2995

Donations towards the garden gratefully accepted

Renter Survey

Community Legal Services (CLS) and The Housing Initiative at Penn are conducting a survey to learn more about unlawful eviction, housing discrimination, housing quality, and displacement in Philadelphia. The results will help CLS better represent and advocate for Philadelphia renters.
If you are currently a renter living in Philadelphia, please take 15 minutes to complete the survey for a chance to win one of fifty $50 gift cards.

Click here to complete the survey.

Did You Attend a Philly Public School?

Philly Alumni wants to engage you, inform you, and help you get involved!

Philly Alumni is Philadelphia’s free citywide alumni network where we stay connected, support each other, support current public school students, give back and celebrate together! We need to update alumni on cool events, alumni accomplishments, and alumni-owned businesses we should all support.
Please help us by taking a two-minute survey, linked below! Philly Alumni is an initiative of The Fund for the School District of Philadelphia.

Check us out at phillyalumni.com!

Take the Quick Survey Here

PHILLY COUNTS Update!!

Together we are sharing important information and helping people across Philadelphia get vaccinated. Want to help us keep the momentum up? Join us for our next volunteer opportunity.

Canvassing Opportunities:

• June 26, Hunting Park 10-2 pm

• June 27, Eastwick 1-5 pm

• July 2, Upper Kensington 3-7 pm

• July 3, Hunting Park 10-2 pm

MASK & VACCINATION INFORMATION

• As of Friday, June 11, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) announced the last two Safer at Home mandates have been lifted. However, businesses may require you to wear your masks indoors.

• Teenagers aged 12-15 are now eligible for the Pfizer vaccine. For more information check the city’s website

• There are vaccines available for homebound older adults and people with disabilities now

• Get COVID-19 updates sent to your phone. Text COVIDPHL to 888-777 to receive free text alerts with info and updates from @PHLPublicHealth.

• Residents with questions about the COVID-19 coronavirus can use the 24/7 helpline to talk to a medical professional. Call 800-722-7112

PHLRentalAssistance Open Office Hours @ SKCP

City Of Philadelphia: What You Need To Know About The City's Plastic Bag Ban

Bria Spivey, Patch.com

The Single-use Plastic Bag Ban was originally passed by City Council in December 2019 and will be implemented beginning July 1, 2021. To assist businesses through this transition, the City is providing a variety of resources, all of which are available on a new webpage at phila.gov/plastic-bag-ban.
Resources available include signage—in multiple languages—that businesses can download, print, and hang at points of sale as well as a flyer that answers frequently asked questions about the ban.
Though the ban will be implemented beginning July 1, there will be a nine-month awareness, education, and warning period before full enforcement begins in order to provide businesses time to prepare and comply with the law.

Read here.

Apply for Child Tax Credit @ Ceiba

Get Info & Apply for the
Child Tax Credit (CTC)*
Up to $300/child

Friday June 25,2021
10AM-5PM
&
Saturday June 26,2021
10AM-2PM

*The CTC may be available to eligible parents with children even if they have no tax filing requirement

Other services include:
Free Tax Prep
ITIN applications & Renewals
Philadelphia Wage Tax Petitions
Public Benefits
Much More

174 Diamond St
Philadelphia PA 19122
No Appointment Necessary
No Se Necesita Cita
215-634-724 or 311

Child Tax Credit Non-filer Sign-up Tool

Important changes to the Child Tax Credit will help many families get advance payments of the Child Tax Credit starting in the summer of 2021.
The IRS will pay half the total credit amount in advance monthly payments. You will claim the other half when you file your 2021 income tax return. We’ll make the first advance payment on July 15, 2021. For a full schedule of payments, see When will the IRS begin issuing the advance Child Tax Credit?

Who Should Use This Tool
Use this tool to report your qualifying children born before 2021 if you:

• Are not required to file a 2020 tax return, didn’t file one and don’t plan to; and

• Have a main home in the United States for more than half of the year.

Also, if you did not get the full amounts of the first and second Economic Impact Payment, you may use this tool if you:

• Are not required to file a 2020 tax return, didn’t file and don’t plan to, and

• Want to claim the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit and get your third Economic Impact Payment.

Read more details here.

COMMUNITY ZONING MEETING (VIRTUAL)

SKCP's RCO will host a virtual Community Zoning Meeting on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at 6:30 PM. [pdf]

Click here to review the preliminary plans for the following project:

7.00pm 1300 N Howard St

We will have time for questions during the meeting but we ask that questions be submited ahead of time. Please review the project, submit questions, and register here for the meeting.

If you prefer, 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 projects.

Friend's of Benson Park invitation!

La Esquina Summerfest!

438 W Jefferson St
Saturday June 26 (Rain Date Sun 6/27)
4-7PM

• BBQ & Potluck

• Firepit

• BYOB

• Bring an instrument

RSVP/Questions:
laesquinagarden@gmail.com
or call 215-221-2995

Donations towards the garden gratefully accepted

A P-EBT update from the Department of Human Services

P-EBT cards should arrive by the end of June. If not received by June 30th, submit an inquire here. For more information, click here.

REPORT ILLEGAL DUMPING!!!