While the LGBTQ subgroup had planned to promote the census in part through a public event geared toward LGBTQ community leaders, this event is no longer a possibility. But the group will continue to disseminate useful census information through an opinion editorial that is in the distribution phase, as well as via social media marketing initiatives. | From: Philadelphia Gay News (Read more.)
All family team meetings and in-person visits in Philadelphia have been completely halted. That leaves kids, caregivers, foster parents, caseworkers and advocates only phone calls and video conferences to make connections and move things forward. | From: Billy Penn (Read more.)
As landlords are hoping for the best, renters are taking steps to hold off on payments, ranging from organizing their fellow tenants to negotiate a rent reduction to calling for a mass rent strike. Some are taking cues from companies like Subway and the Cheesecake Factory and alerting landlords they can’t pay, at least until federal relief checks land. Others are crowdfunding to pay their bills or using social media to beg celebrities for cash. | From: The Philadelphia Inquirer (Read more.)
Over the last week, portable hand-washing stations have been popping up around Philadelphia. The Broad Street Ministry, a homeless services center in Center City, has rented nine portable stations, each with soap, running water, and paper towels, and installed them in places around town where homeless populations are known to congregate. | From: WHYY (Read more.)
Based on guidance from the federal government, the School District of Philadelphia is proceeding with a plan to offer more rigorous virtual instruction during the coronavirus shutdown — a reversal from last week when it said equity concerns hampered its ability to provide mandated, graded learning. | From: WHYY (Read more.)
Like many other integral businesses in Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the nonprofit public interest law firm AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania (ALPP) continues to provide its clients with remote legal services during state-wide shutdowns to thwart the spread of the new coronavirus. New and existing clients can still reach ALPP staff by phone or email. | From: Philadelphia Gay News (Read more.)
SisTers PGH is a “transgender centered drop-in space, resource provider and shelter transitioning program based in Pittsburgh, PA.” The mutual aid and emergency funds distribution system implemented by Thomas and her team in Pittsburgh could be a model for Philadelphia and other cities. | From: Philadelphia Gay News (Read more.)
Close to half a million Philadelphians will get direct payouts and more than half a million could be eligible for increased unemployment under the federal coronavirus stimulus program. | From: Billy Penn (Read more.)
A new Philadelphia stay-at-home order shut down all non-life-essential businesses, gatherings, and activities due to the rising severity of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the order didn’t stop the city’s plans to remove people experiencing homelessness from an encampment near the Convention Center Monday morning. | From: Kensington Voice (Read more.)
Hundreds of low-wage workers are asking Philadelphia lawmakers for financial help as the coronavirus outbreak decimates their already tenuous livelihoods. Mayor Jim Kenney’s administration says the money isn’t there. | From: Billy Penn (Read more.)
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