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Nonprofit
Resources Benevon holds seminar on raising sustainable funding A seminar on Creating Sustainable Funding in These Challenging Economic Times will be held in Philadelphia on Wednesday, June 3rd from 3-5pm at the American Association for Cancer Research, 615 Chestnut Street on the 17th Floor in Philadelphia. The seminar is presented by Benevon, which trains nonprofit organizations of all types and sizes in a mission-based system for engaging and developing relationships with individual donors who love your organization's mission and will stay with you for life. The Benevon model bridges the gap from the more traditional methods of fundraising, like special events, grants, and direct mail, into the world of major gifts, allowing each organization to take its financial future into its own hands. There is no fee to attend but registration is requested. Click here to register. back to top Workshops focus on nonprofit communication strategies Bread and Roses Community Fund will offer four new workshops through its Barbara Smith Community School. As part of its mission to help build effective grassroots organizations, these workshops focus on helping nonprofits create effective communications strategies and expand their reach. They include: -- Online Organizing Basics: Running a Successful Email Campaign, which will be held Tuesday, May 12th from noon-1pm; -- New Media and Grassroots Organizing: How to Develop Your Organization's Communications with Free Online Tools, which will be held Thursday, May 14th from noon-1 pm; -- Making Headlines: How to Get Coverage in the News Media, which will be held Tuesday, May 19th from 5-6:30 pm; and -- Event Promotion: Easy Ways to Market Your Event, which will be held Thursday, May 21st from noon-1 pm. All four workshops will take place at Bread and Roses, 1315 Walnut Street, Suite 832, Philadelphia. Read the full workshop descriptions and RSVP to attend here. back to top Grants available for school-based financial education The Council for Economic Education is soliciting applications from organizations seeking to promote economic and financial literacy among students in kindergarten through grade 12. For more information, click here. back to top Dow offers youth education and recreation grants Local non-profit organizations are invited to submit proposals for any of three, $30,000 Community Partnership Initiative grants. CPI was launched 11 years ago by Rohm and Haas, now a wholly owned subsidiary of the Dow Chemical Company. The grant is being offered by company facilities in Spring House, Bristol and Philadelphia. Each facility focuses its grant on youth who live in specific target communities. Request for Proposal Conferences are being held at each location to discuss the Initiative’s focus and application requirements and answer questions. The online application, target communities description, and Request for Proposal Conference dates can be found on the website for each facility. The Bristol site is targeting the communities of Bristol Borough, lower sections of Bristol Township, the City of Burlington and/or western sections of Burlington Township. The RFP conference will be held on May 18th at 1pm. For more information, click here. The Philadelphia site is targeting the communities of Bridesburg and/or lower sections of Wissinoming within the following geographic boundaries: Delaware River, Church Street/Betsy Ross Bridge, Comly Street and Torresdale Avenue. The RFP conference will be on May 19th at 1pm. For more information, click here. The Spring House site is targeting the communities of Ambler Borough, Lower Gwynedd, Upper Dublin and/or Whitpain. The RFP conference will be held on May 18th at 3:30pm. For more information, click here. To register to attend one of the Request for Proposal Conferences or to ask questions about preparing a grant application after reviewing the online information, email Cindy Giroud or call 215-416-7997. back to top Foundation Center holds Spanish language fundraising course On Wednesday, June 3rd, the Regional Foundation Center will present Foundation Fundraising: An Introductory Course (presented in Spanish) from 9:30am to 4:30pm. The course is geared to nonprofits that are new to foundation funding and provides an opportunity to learn about the grantmaking objectives of independent, corporate, and community foundations; how to identify grantseeker resources; and how to effectively partner with grantmakers. Participants will also receive a free copy of the book Guia Para Escribir Propuestas, a complimentary one-week subscription to Foundation Directory Online Professional and a workbook outlining all course topics. This session will take place in the Skyline Room at the Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine Street in Philadelphia, 4th floor, and lunch will be provided. To register in English, go here. To register in Spanish, go here. back to top PWDC seeks providers of adult education and training programs The Philadelphia Workforce Development Corporation is soliciting bids from organizations to support education and training programs targeting adults (age 18 years and older). PWDC’s goal is to receive a wide variety of high quality, innovative proposals that meet the workforce development needs of the area. PWDC is seeking contractors to provide education and training programming with a preference for programs that yield college credit or an industry certification that articulates/links to credit-bearing programs and related job placement and retention services focused on the priority industry clusters as further detailed in the funding announcement, which can be downloaded here. back to top Federal IDA grants available The Assets for Independence program is currently accepting applications for grants to support Individual Development Account (IDA) projects throughout the nation. The application deadline is June 25, 2009. The program is offering a series of informational and “how to” webinars for prospective grantees and their project partners. Webinars will be held every Wednesday through June 10 at 2pm. Topics include AFI Project Design & Implementation (May 6th & May 27th), which will focus on key elements of effective work plans, strategies for selecting your client population and determining the services they may need to succeed; Tips for Developing Resources and Partners for AFI Projects (May 13th & June 3rd), which will focus on AFI requirements for non-federal matching funds. It will include a discussion of effective strategies for raising these critical resources; and the AFI Overview & Grant Application Process (May 20th & June 10th), which includes background about the AFI program, an overview of grant application requirements and procedures, and tips for developing strong AFI grant applications. For more information, email here or call 1-886-778-6037. back to top CORRECTION: In our last issue, links for the Rainbow Endowment were incorrect. The correct address is http://www.rainbowendowment.org/.  Community Events Walnut Street Theatre visits Please Touch Museum Building on the successful premiere of The Berenstain Bears’ Family Matters, Walnut Street Theatre for Kids will make a three-week visit to Please Touch Museum this spring for a special engagement in the museum’s new theater. In a first-time partnership, Walnut Street Theatre for Kids will perform The Berenstain Bears’ Family Matters: Junk Food Edition in the Please Touch Playhouse from May 19–June 8. This 20-minute version of the Walnut Street Theatre’s world premiere includes many songs from the full-length musical, a brand new set, and of course those lovable bears. Based on the children’s book, the show finds Brother and Sister Bear (and even Papa!) are enjoying a few too many snacks and have been putting on some extra ‘fluff.’ Mama Bear, through love, laughter and the help of Doc Grizzly, is there to encourage the family toward a healthier lifestyle. Audiences can step right up to the starting line and join the Big Bear Country 1st Annual Run and cheer on the Berenstain Bears in this fun family adventure. The musical will be staged Mondays through Saturdays at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and Sundays at 1pm and 3pm. Actors will be available for meet and greets with the audience after each production. The show is free with museum admission. For more information, call 215-581-3181, or visit here. back to top Delco Senior art show planned Senior Community Services’ Fifth Annual Art Show, an exhibition of artists 50 and older, will be held from Monday June 9th, through Thursday, June 19th. SCS is a non-profit agency that operates four nationally accredited senior centers in southeastern Delaware County and provides in-home support services for homebound elderly. The public is invited to view the imaginative works of the organization’s older diverse artists at this free event. An array of lovely acrylic and watercolor paintings, pottery, woodcarvings, pencil drawings and more will be on display. The art show will run each day from 9am-5pm, at the Delaware County Community College Art Gallery, 901 South Media Line Road, Media. An opening reception, where you can meet the artists, will be held Saturday, June 6th from 1-4pm. For more information, call Nikki Panico 610-237-8100, ext. 14. back to top Phillies game benefits SeniorLAW Center SeniorLAW Center Night at the Phillies will be held Wednesday, May 27th. The event brings together staff, board members, volunteers and friends of SeniorLAW Center at Citizens Bank Park for an game against the Florida Marlins. All fans will receive a Phillies Shamrock Cap. Game time is 7:05pm. Tickets are $24 and portion of every ticket sold will benefit SeniorLAW Center. To order, go here or call Jillian Ashton at 215-463-5000. For more information, email here. back to top Senior Center presents performance on Chester history Chester Senior Center will present Coming North: Chester's Stories of Trials and Triumphs, a multi-facet performance-lecture written by Dr. Amanda Kemp from Theatre of Transformation. The free performances will be held Tuesday, June 9th at 1pm at Chester Senior Center, 721 Hayes St., Chester and Thursday, June 11th at 10:30am at Widener University's Alumni Auditorium The performance provides an overview of the history of Black Chester from the eighteenth century through the 1960s, focusing primarily on the 1940s and 1950s. Seniors from the center will perform the vignettes and the Center's volunteer gospel choir will perform powerful musical numbers. Afterwards, a discussion on the subject of the play will take place. For more information or to RSVP, call Jamee Nowell-Smith at 610-497-3550. back to top Reception celebrates senior artists Generation Appreciation Philadelphia will sponsor a reception for Seniors Celebrate the Arts on Sunday, May 31st. Seniors Celebrate the Arts is a month-long, citywide celebration held during May in observance of Older Americans Month. The reception will feature over 30 original pieces created by Philadelphia's seniors and an opportunity to meet the artists chosen for the exhibit and performances by Classic Tones a cappella group and Settlement Music School quartet. Wine and snacks will be served. The event will take place from 3-5pm at Rembrandt's Restaurant, 741 N. 23rd Street. For information about all the Seniors Celebrate Arts events, go here. back to top Montco agency plans bike day and luncheon Interagency Council of Norristown will present Family Bike Day on Sunday, May 17th. Get ready for summer with a fun filled day of biking with your family that includes activities for the kids, Safety Town, bike safety checks and more. The event takes place from 1-4pm at Norristown Farm Park Pavilion Area, 2500 Upper Farm Road Norristown. The organization will also host its 28th Annual Meeting & Luncheon on Thursday, May 21st from 11:45am-2pm. The luncheon will be a creative arts celebration and will feature jazz performed by Norristown Area School District's, East Norriton Middle School Band, art activities that promote team building, and a picnic style meal. For more information about either activity email Linda Bean. back to top Issue
Alerts PA Senate budget sets draconian cuts in social programs The Pennsylvania State Senate has adopted a budget proposal for fiscal year 2009-2010 that cuts over $25 million in community mental health services from Governor Rendell’s budget proposal, as well as services to nearly 20,000 preschool children next year by reducing funds for Keystone Stars, Pre-K Counts, Head Start Supplemental Assistance, Early Intervention and Nurse Family Partnership. The proposal would add 7,700 children to the waiting list for child care subsidy, on top of the nearly 16,000 who have been waiting, many for up to a year. In doing so Pennsylvania would lose $60 million in federal stimulus funds that can only be used to supplement existing programs. The budget plan would also cut 1,700 children from infant/toddler Early Intervention services, even though Pennsylvania is required to serve every child eligible for Early Intervention; cut 6,500 children from Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts; cut 2,800 children from the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program, and cut 850 families from the Nurse-Family Partnership. The measure also makes cuts to critical funding for home visiting, county child welfare, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. The budget bill would likely also prevent $418 million in federal stimulus funds from being available to school districts throughout the state. Many districts have reported that they will have to increase property taxes or cut effective programs if the stimulus funding is not available. For more information and to learn how to express your opinion on the budget bill, click here. back to top Brookings, Princeton to release college prep report On May 14th, The Future of Children, a joint project between Princeton University and the Brookings Institution, will release a policy brief discussing the steps high schools should take to help low-income students prepare for postsecondary education. The policy brief, entitled The Role of High Schools in Preparing Disadvantaged Students for College, is a companion to the most recent issue, America’s High Schools, which examines the reasons high schools are widely believed to be failing and proposes solutions. Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), the former superintendent of the Denver schools, will deliver the keynote address. For more information, email here or call 202-797-6105. back to top City schools seek budget input in public meetings The School District of Philadelphia is continuing its series of Community Budget Meetings throughout the city through the end of the month. The next scheduled meetings are set for: -- Thursday, May 14th at Stetson Middle School, 3200 “B” Street from 6-8pm. -- Monday, May 18th at South Philadelphia High School, 2101 S. Broad St. from 6-8pm., and -- Tuesday, May 26th at G. W. Carver Engineering & Science High School at 1600 W. Norris St. from 6-8pm. For more information or to register, call Denisa Hurst at 215-400-5837 or Cohen Thompson at 215-400-6783. Childcare is provided and dinner is served from 5-5:45pm. The proposed School District budget can be viewed and downloaded by clicking here. back to top Employment
Opportunities First Call for Help - Community Information Organizer (VISTA). First Call For Help has an available Americorps VISTA position and is seeking a Community Information Organizer. The position will provide clear, timely information to constituents about resources, services and employment opportunities and will assist with the Annual Stuff the Bus effort to provide children living in shelters with book bags and supplies in time for the first day of school. Candidates should have strong written and verbal communication skills; computer and technology skills; research skills; ability to work in a fast paced environment; and ability to work with and engage others from diverse backgrounds and neighborhoods in the city. The position is full-time for 12 months beginning July/August 2009 at the First Call for Help office located at the Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO, 22 S. 22nd Street, 2nd floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103. This employment opportunity is an AmeriCorps*VISTA position, there is a monthly stipend of $949, an educational grant of $4,725 and health benefits. A SEPTA Pass will also be provided. Email resumes to Janet Ryder and put VISTA position in the subject line or fax to her attention at 215-665-1973. back to top Job Opportunity Investment Network (JOIN): Director. JOIN is a collaborative of national and local funders that seeks to improve labor market outcomes for workers in the Philadelphia region, connected to the National Fund for Workforce Solutions. JOIN is managed by five investor partners: United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania, the Knight Foundation, the Philadelphia Workforce Investment Board, the William Penn Foundation, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The strategy is to invest in existing Industry Partnerships in southeastern Pennsylvania to assist them in expanding their focus to advance lower-skilled incumbent workers along career ladders and to build pipelines to mid-skilled jobs for unemployed and marginally employed workers. The Director is a new position, and the first staff position for JOIN. The Director will be based at the Philadelphia Workforce Investment Board, and will initially receive administrative support from the host organization and other local partners as necessary. Other staff may be added based on funding and needs. The Director will report to the Chair of the JOIN Investors Committee, which is made up of all funders contributing $50,000 or more. He/she will play a major leadership role, guiding JOIN to ensure that it meets its strategic goals. The Director will also work collaboratively with United Way of SEPA which serves as the Initiative’s lead administrative partner, on contracts, budgets, reporting, and other areas as appropriate. Email Patti Franchetti to request a copy of the job description. To apply, send resume with cover letter, including salary requirements, by email to here or by mail to Patti Franchetti, Chief Operating Officer, Philadelphia Workforce Investment Board, 1601 Market Street, Suite 1500, Philadelphia, PA 19103. back to top First Suburbs Project - Community Organizer. The Southeastern Pennsylvania First Suburbs Project, a coalition of community organizations and institutions focused on solving common challenges facing the older, developed suburbs of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties, is seeking applicants for the position of Community Organizer. The position performs outreach, coalition-building and policy promotion activities. The successful candidate will work closely with the President of the Board of Directors and Members of the Board to build the organization and promote its policy objectives. The position is currently is envisioned as a five-month assignment, with the potential to convert to a permanent position at the end of the five months. Email a resume, cover letter and three references here by May 11th. For a full job description, go here. back to top Centro Nueva Creacion - Summer Camp Group Leaders. Centro Nueva Creacion, a small grassroots, community center offering after school and summer camp programs for low-income, at-risk children in K-5 grade in North Philadelphia, is seeking responsible, energetic group leaders for its summer camp. This year's theme will be community and cultural pride. Students and staff will explore Latino heritage through activities that include reading, journaling, poetry, photography, gardening, computer and media studies, neighborhood clean-ups, dancing, and field trips. The position can be full or part time. Group Leaders must be team players that are passionate about providing educational and enrichment opportunities in the arts, wellness, and technology for children living in the underserved community of North Philadelphia. Candidates must be flexible, creative, self-starters, and have good communication skills. Some evening and weekend commitments are required. A high school diploma or GED is required and some college preferred. Candidates must have at least three months experience working with elementary-aged children. English fluency is required and candidates who are bilingual in English and Spanish are strongly preferred. Email a cover letter and resume to Angela Jubin. Resumes will not be considered without a cover letter. back to top Center in the Park - Interventionist Social Worker. Center in the Park is seeking a master's level Interventionist Social Workers on a part-time contracted basis. The Interventionist Social Worker provides clinical intervention to participants in the National Institute of Mental Health funded Beat the Blues research study, designed to decrease depression in older adults. The study is a partnership between Center in the Park and the Jefferson College of Health Professions, Center for Applied Research on Aging and Health. The Interventionist Social Worker delivers a ten-session intervention to Beat the Blues participants including five treatment components (education, case management, stress reduction, behavioral activation) and follows assessment, intervention, and documentation protocols. Position requires a car and insurance. Master's degree in Social Work or a related discipline required as is direct experience working with older adults. Licensed Social Worker preferred. Email resume and cover letter to Megan McCoy or fax to her attention at 215-848-0979. back to top
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n
Region
celebrates National Americorps Week
The third annual AmeriCorps Week, which takes place May 9-16, provides the perfect opportunity for AmeriCorps members, alums, grantees, program partners, and friends to shine a spotlight on the work done by members—and to motivate more Americans to serve their communities. Many events are being planned across the country. Individuals and organizations with a special interest in AmeriCorps—especially, members, programs, and alums—are encouraged to use their creativity to mark the week through events and projects. Americorps Week events in Philadelphia include a rally and service projects on Thursday, May 14th from 9am to noon at the Winchester Recreation Center, 2332 North 15th Street, between Dauphin and York Streets in North Philadelphia. The rally will acknowledge and celebrate the impact of AmeriCorps members within Philadelphia. Following the rally, 100 service opportunities will be available for AmeriCorps members and friends. For more information, email Rachel Turner or call 215-665-2459. Additionally, a Philadelphia AmeriCorps Week Job Panelwill take place on Monday, May 11th from 5-7pm.  The panel is an
opportunity for prospective AmeriCorps members to learn about
AmeriCorps National, State, and VISTA. Attendees will be briefed on
each program and there will be a Q & A portion with a panel of
5-7
current corps members from each program.Panelists will address both the professional and personal changes they’ve experienced as a result of their term of service. The panel will take place at the Philadelphia City Institute branch of The Free Library at 19th & Locust Streets. Directors interested in attending should RSVP by email to Jenn Rineer or call 215-609-4659. Other activities include an AmeriCorps Week Social Happy Hour on Wednesday, May 13th from 5:30 to 7:30pm Noche, located at 19th & Chestnut Streets (participants must be age 21 or older); and the National AmeriCorps Week Kickball Tournament on Saturday, May 16th at 12:30pm. To register a team, email Amber Daniels or call 215-592-9260, ext. 2806 with the team name, captain’s name, and all members of the team (average team should be 8 people). To register to be placed on a team, contact Amber with your name, program name, phone number and email address. The location of the tournament is still being determined. During AmeriCorps Week, Americorps members are encouraged to sign up for the Philly Service Network Google Group. The goal of this group is to facilitate timely and effective communication between all AmeriCorps members and supervisors. For more information about the Philly Service Network, click here. back to top PennMOVES recruiting volunteers Move-out time at the University of Pennsylvania means tons of furniture, electronics, household items and many other things are left behind on campus. Many of these items remain in great to useful condition. The goal of PennMOVES is to help Penn students donate the things they don’t plan to haul home and handle it in a way that is  socially responsible and
environmentally aware. Penn and United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania are recruiting volunteers to sort and stage the items in the University of Pennsylvania Skating Rink. From May 11th through May 25th, during the hours of 9:30am to 5:30pm. Proceeds from the project will benefit community organizations in West Philadelphia. For additional information about this initiative, click here and click here to volunteer. back to top Summer internships in city government available Applications and enrollment information for the Philadelphia Youth Network's WorkReady Philadelphia Summer Internships with City of Philadelphia municipal government are now available on the Experience!Philadelphia website. Potential applicants must be at least 16 years of age (sophomores through seniors in high school) and Philadelphia residents to apply to the WorkReady Summer Internships with the City of Philadelphia. Applications must be received by the Philadelphia Youth Network on Friday, May 22nd. For more information, email here or call 215-686-2138. back to top Volunteers sought to work with incarcerated youth and adults Thresholds in Delaware County will hold a volunteer training weekend June 6th and 7th at Neumann College in Aston. Thresholds volunteers work one on one with individuals in prison and juveniles in detention, teaching them decision-making skills and related concepts. To come to our training session or to learn more, go here or call 610-459-9384. back to top Forum highlights Head Start opportunities for homeless kids The Public/Private Task Force on Homelessness will present a workshop on New Opportunities For Homeless Children to Access Head Start & Early Head Start on Friday, May 29th from 10am to noon at the Salvation Army, 701 N. Broad Street, in Philadelphia. Recent policy changes targeting homeless children are intended to improve access to Head Start, Early Head Start and other high quality early education programs. This workshop will be led by experts prepared to inform and equip homeless shelter providers, advocates and community organizations with the tools needed to access 
these early education programs.Maura McInerney, Esq., of the Education Law Center, will provide participants with background information about Head Start from a legal perspective and the rights of children. Nancy Elmore, Head Start Region III Administrator, will talk about Head Start’s new application rules, and Wanda Loadholt, social service coordinator, Pre K & Head Start Programs, will discuss how the School District of Philadelphia can play a role in helping homeless service providers to increase access for their children. Representatives of the Health Federation of Philadelphia will discuss the challenges as a provider in completing the application process and managing a Head Start program. To register, email here and provide your name, job title, organization, and email address. back to top Philadelphia READS sponsors Reading Olympics Philadelphia READS sponsors the Philadelphia Reading Olympics from May 11th to May 15th at sites throughout the city, where hundreds of extraordinary students in grades 4-6 compete as to their knowledge of 20 books they have been reading since January. By the end of the week over 2200 children will have participated in this competition. To download a list of the Reading Olympics sites, click here. back to top Seniors4Kids campaign launches May 12th Generations United’s Seniors4Kids campaign will launch on May 12th in Harrisburg. The project highlights the important role that adults aged 50 and over can play in supporting high quality early care and education for Pennsylvania’s children. The launch event begins at 2:30pm at the Hildebrandt Learning Center, 1200 N. 7th Street, 2nd Floor, in Harrisburg, and is presented in collaboration the Coming of Age initiative. To register and find out about transportation, e-mail Yvonne Thompson Friend or call 215-844-4744. back to top North Penn funders, nonprofits to discuss priorities Nonprofit executives and regional funders will be convened by the North Penn Community Health Foundation in partnership with the North Penn Nonprofit Academy on Thursday, May 21st, from 8:30 to 11:30am in a dialogue about Identifying Our Priorities With Declining Resources. The event will take place at Community Partners: Center for Nonprofit Management, 2506 N. Broad Street (Walton Meeting Room), in Colmar. For more information, call 215-716-5400. back to top Women’s Business Center helps to ‘jumpstart’ businesses The Women’s Business Development Center will present the final two workshops in its Jumpstart series on Wednesday, May 13th and May 20th from 6 to 9pm at 1315 Walnut Street, Suite 1124 in Philadelphia. The May 13th seminar will focus on business planning and the May 20th seminar will be on the topic of launching the business. The cost for each training is $35 and pre-registration is required. For further information call 215-790-9232. back to top Mayor Nutter to speak on future of cities The Philadelphia 360 Lecture Series continues with a discussion on The Future of Cities: The World, The Nation, Philadelphia, at the Academy of Natural Sciences, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, on Thursday, May 14th. The event begins with a presentation at 6pm followed by a reception. The event will be highlighted by talks by Mayor Nutter and Andrew Altman, Director of Commerce and Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, who will discuss the city’s new vision for sustainable planning and infrastructure investment throughout the city. National and international experts on urban design and policy will join the discussion with thoughts on implementation and the way forward. The event is free and open to the public. RSVP by May 11, 2009 by emailing here. back to top Inglis Foundation launches web resource site The Inglis Foundation and Easy Access to Services for Independence, a collaborative effort between businesses and non-profit organizations designed to make daily living activities more convenient for people with disabilities and seniors, has launched easiresources.org. The website, serving Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware residents, is designed to make daily living activities easier for people with disabilities and seniors. Easiresources.org will assist individuals and caregivers in finding a local service and help them learn about accommodations offered specifically for people with disabilities, seniors, their caregivers and families. From entertainment venues to home modification providers, thousands of local resources have been researched, verified and categorized on the new web resource. For more information, email here. back to top Committee of 70 seeks Election Day volunteers The Pennsylvania primary election will take place on Tuesday, May 19th. In Philadelphia, voters will select party candidates for several key local offices, including District Attorney and City Controller, as well as city and state judges. The Committee of Seventy is mobilizing volunteers to the polls to ensure everyone's right to vote. All that’s needed is enthusiasm, a desire to uphold the right to vote in Philadelphia, and 4 hours of your time on Election Day. The Committee of Seventy will provide the training you need. People of all backgrounds and abilities are encouraged to volunteer. Volunteers can choose where and when they want to volunteer. To sign up, email Terry Baxter at Greater Philadelphia Cares or call 215-564-4544. back to top MCC’s Fischer nominated for women’s health award Joanne Fischer, executive director of the Maternity Care Coalition, has been nominated for the Our Bodies Ourselves Women's Health Hero award. This year, Fischer celebrates her 20th year as the head of one of the state’s leading advocacy organizations for mothers and children. Since 1989, Fischer has raised MCC from a fledgling neighborhood project with a staff of 3 to a statewide organization with staff of over 70, and a budget of $116,000 to over $4.5 million, according to Olivia  Hamilton, who
nominated her for the award.MCC’s programs include the operation of MOMobile outreach sites providing services to at risk mothers right in their neighborhoods including one in the Riverside Correctional Facility, two Early Head Start locations, The Cribs for Kids program which provides safe sleeping options to families in need, the Smoke Free Mom’s initiative, and an HIV prevention program for at risk women. In addition, Fischer leads MCC’s efforts to advocate for policies that support the women served by these programs – most recently through the report “Insuring Healthy Births” which she presented jointly with area mothers impacted negatively by the insurance system at a rally in Harrisburg at the Capitol Rotunda on Monday May 4th. For more information, click here. back to top Institute aims to integrate arts in education BuildaBridge Institute 2009, a training institute and applied research academy designed to prepare practitioners to integrate the arts effectively in education and community development, will be held June 3rd-7th at Bryn Mawr College. The Institute is for artists, teachers, social service professionals, youth workers, community and congregational leaders, non profit personnel and others who want to better serve those in need by learning new empowerment and holistic healing techniques and  effective
ways to implement them.Courses will be divided in two simultaneous tracks, Track one will include sessions in Foundations for Arts in Transformation; Arts and Spiritual Development; Arts in Education; Arts, Creativity and Human Development; Organization for Community Arts; and Money News Network, a drama-based training program on financial management. Track two will include Arts in Healing, Arts in Social Services, and a leadership practicum. Both tracks will include Skills Development Workshops in different art mediums and a Methods Lab Practicum. For information about different tuition plans and to register, go here or call 215-842-0428 ext. 11. back to top Forum addresses challenges of the uncertain economy On May 16th, the Philadelphia Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority will sponsor Which Way is Up? Finding Direction in Uncertain Times, a free community and self empowerment forum. The morning will feature a morning of discussion, information and answers about issues facing individuals, families and communities. The forum will include workshops on health care options for the uninsured, advocacy and empowerment, preventing  home default,
supplemental and long-term insurance, and more. Participants can find
out if they qualify for prescription assistance through the Partnership
for Prescription Assistance Program. Continental
breakfast will
be provided.The event is free but participants are asked to bring a canned good or non-perishable food item to be donated locally. The forum will take place at Imani Education Circle Charter School, 5612 Greene Street, Philadelphia. Doors open at 8:30am. For more information, email here or call 215-783-4593. back to top Webcast event celebrates new book on childbirth On May 13th, the Maternal Wellness Center and the Midwifery Institute at Philadelphia University will host a webcast to celebrate the release of Your Best Birth: Know All Your Options, Discover the Natural Choices, and Take Back the Birth Experience by Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein. The book is an empowering childbirth guide packed with advice from medical professionals, delivered in a 
down-to-earth,
engaging, and honest voice. It reevaluates the pregnancy
process,
renews expectant mothers' confidence and includes interviews with
celebrities about their birth experiences.At the event, the authors will field questions about the book and their work as natural birth advocates. They will respond to questions over the Internet with groups around the country. A panel of local birth professionals, including well-known home birth midwife Christy Santoro from Motherland Midwifery, Peggy Stone from the Bryn Mawr Birth Center, and two local doulas, Folami Irvine and Chanda Hicks will also participate. The event will take place at the Tuttleman Center at Philadelphia University at 6:30pm. The suggested donation is $10. For more information, email here or call 215-713-2666. back to top Workshop provides homebuyer information The Urban League of Philadelphia will present a free homebuyer education workshop on Saturday, May 16th. The workshop will address issues such as determining how much house you can afford; how credit affects your ability to buy a home; and how to shop for a lender. The workshop will take place from 9am-1pm at Urban League, 121 S. Broad Street, 10th floor. To register, email here or call 215-985-3220, ext. 201. Registrations must be made by Thursday, May 14th. back to top Free trees available to Logan residents Under the umbrella of the Northwest Philadelphia Greening Initiative, the Logan Community Development Corporation is offering free trees to residents in the Logan community. The types of trees were carefully selected and approved by the Fairmount Park Commission, and are especially designed for inner city environments. They do not grow very tall and their roots do not penetrate gas, water or drain lines. The actual planting of these trees will be in the early to late spring. To obtain trees, the coverage area must be surveyed to determine what type of approved trees can be planted and a Pennsylvania One Call Inspection must be completed to locate utilities. The coverage area will be designed by a landscape architect who will plan the planting locations of the trees. For more information, email here or call 215-457-3014. back to top
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