#HighCost of Being Broke – Broke in Philly

Southwest Philly block reopens as play street one year after shooting

July 22, 2021

For the last 60 years, Philadelphia has run its PlayStreets program, which functions both as a city-run summer camp and a free meal distribution program for families. This year, about 260 city streets will be blocked off from traffic and local block captains will distribute meals, backpacks, toys, and games for kids to play with in the street.

For Renell Powell, a retired grandma of four and assistant block captain, last summer’s COVID doldrums proved to be the perfect time to bring a PlayStreet to the 200 block of Alden St. in Southwest Philly.

“I noticed it wasn’t that many places in the area doing it,” Powell said. “I’m retired, and my grandson said, ‘Grandma, why don’t we just try a PlayStreet, give out the lunches?’ I said, ‘OK.’” | From WHYY (Read more.)

Hidden Costs: Gun Violence, Seeking Wellness in the Aftermath

July 21, 2021

https://lovenowmedia.com/hidden-costs-gun-violence-seeking-wellness-in-the-aftermath/

Philadelphia’s counselors stretched thin as gun violence surges across the city

July 21, 2021

https://aldianews.com/articles/local/philadelphia/philadelphias-counselors-stretched-thin-gun-violence-surges-across-city

Broke during the holidays? Buying gifts on credit can be a costly solution

December 20, 2018

From Billy Penn | A present is much more expensive if you have to pay interest. (Read more.)

The Government Fee That Can Cost Philadelphians Their Inheritance

September 26, 2018

From Next City: Philadelphia assesses something called a probate fee — $580 — the Henrys would learn they needed to pay City Hall just to process their inheritance. It may not sound like much, but to Ora Henry, who makes $12-an-hour as a social worker, and her mother, who was recently reduced to part-time hours at her job, it meant a lot.
(Read more.)

Wake Up With WURD – Taylor Allen

September 6, 2018

Taylor Allen joins Wake Up With WURD to talk about her recent WHYY article, The high cost of being broke: Diapers. (Read more.)

#BrokeinPhilly: The high cost of being broke

August 27, 2018

Broke in Philly editor Jean Friedman-Rudovsky appeared over the weekend on CBSN, CBS News’ streaming video channel, to discuss the #HighCost of Being Broke series — which launched earlier this month.

The first installment covered banking, transportation, cell phone access, food staples and more, also highlighting solutions, policies or programs or options that help alleviate some of the cost born by those who can least afford to take them on.

Visit: #HighCost (Read more.)

The high cost of being broke: Dental care

August 9, 2018

From WHYY: Approximately 72 million Americans rely on Medicaid and CHIP for dental coverage, yet two-thirds of dentists do not accept either kind of coverage, according to the Pew Dental Campaign. (Read more.)

Broke in Philly: Residents struggle to afford the rising cost of food

August 6, 2018

From NBC10/Telemundo62: One problem that’s a bigger issue in Philadelphia than the rest of the country is food insecurity. That means a person or family can’t always afford the food they need. (Read more.)

Financial empowerment centers help city residents improve their fiscal health

August 6, 2018

From Next City: In a typical year, between 40 and 60 families take advantage of the PHA’s homeownership program, according to online records from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. But that’s a tiny percentage of the PHA’s 13,000 families in public housing and 18,600 families with Section 8 vouchers — not to mention the tens of thousands of people languishing on waiting lists for public housing or Section 8 vouchers. (Read more.)