Support for Women Entrepreneurs

The EILEEN FISHER grant program seeks applicants from wholly women-owned businesses that combine the principles of social consciousness, sustainability, and innovation to create new businesses or invigorate existing ones.

In addition to the key social principals, an essential for each applicant is a solid business plan and a strategy for long term growth. The five grant recipients' receive a $12,500 grant, mentoring from internal EILEEN FISHER teams and a trip to New York City for a three-day workshop with EILEEN FISHER committee members and past grant recipients.

Company founder Eileen Fisher believes that now, more than ever, is the time to instill confidence in woman entrepreneurs. "This is a terrifying time for businesses. I know how important it is to have someone believe in and validate your work," says Fisher. "I want to encourage women entrepreneurs and firmly believe that business can be used to create social change, even if the economic climate is uncertain," says Eileen.

"The credit market is still tight for small businesses, even as the economy rebounds," says Cheryl Campbell, EILEEN FISHER Business Grant Facilitator. "In this economy, we want to continue to inspire women to pursue new opportunities and creative solutions that will move their businesses forward in a sustainable way."

The EILEEN FISHER Business Grant Program for Woman Entrepreneurs was launched in 2004 with a single grant to commemorate the company's 20th anniversary. Since then, five grants have been awarded each year. The guidelines for the annual Women-Owned Business Program are continuing to evolve. Please check the company's website to find out more about the new ways we will be supporting women entrepreneurs. (www.eileenfisher.com/grants)

Working With Youth: Lessons From Law Enforcement

On Tuesday March 6th, from 9am-­12pm, the Widener Center for Violence Prevention will present "Working With Youth: Lessons From Law Enforcement." Presenters will include Captain David Madonna and Sergeant James Reif from the Upper Darby Township Police Department and Laura Weigand, Children’s Mental Health Specialist from the Delaware County Office of Behavioral Health.

Registration and Continental Breakfast will begin at 8:30 a.m.

The event will be held at Lathem Hall, Widener University. Parking is on 13th and Potter Streets.

Mail or fax registration to:
Attn: Jenny Wyatt
Center for Social Work Education
Widener University
One University Place Chester, PA 19013
Phone: 610-499-1153 Fax: 610-499-4617
jbwyatt@widener.edu

FREE SAT/ACT Prep by Kaplan Trained Facilitator

Only 15 slots left! Space is limited.

FREE Prep by Kaplan Trained Facilitator
Get what you need to succeed! This class will introduce you to the skills and strategies necessary for studying for the SAT and ACT exams.
FOR JUNIORS and SENIORS ONLY.
TO REGISTER: 610-499-1391 or collegeaccesscenterdelco@gmail.com.

Upcoming Webinar: New Healthier School Meal Standards: What You Need to Know

From our friends at the Coalition on Human Needs and the Food Research and Action Center:

New Healthier School Meal Standards: What You Need to Know

Date: Thursday, February 2, 2012
Time: 1 – 2 p.m. EST
Click here to register.

The new school meal standards are out. Join FRAC and USDA for a webinar to learn how you can help make their implementation a success for schools and for low-income children.

• Learn what you need to know about the new nutrition rule, implementation timeline, and process.
• Hear an award-winning school food service leader share strategies for success.
• Identify key action steps and resources.
• Ask your questions.

Join us to learn more about this important opportunity for our nation’s children and how you can play a part in making the new standards a success.

Speakers:

• Jim Weill, Food Research and Action Center
• Cindy Long, Child Nutrition Division, U.S. Department of Agriculture
• Jean Ronnei, SNS, Saint Paul Public Schools
• Geri Henchy, Food Research and Action Center

One hour credit certificate of attendance will be issued. Register Now!

This webinar is part of the FRAC Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act: Putting the Act into Action series. Watch previous webinars in this series.

Guide to Financial Education for VITA

CFED and Bank of the West have created a new financial education guide geared specifically to VITA clients. This useful guide, available in both English and Spanish, offers tips to taxpayers on spending on "must-haves" instead of "nice-to-haves," saving for short term and long term needs, and how to take advantage of U.S. Savings Bonds, College Savings Bonds, and tax credits to make the most out of their refund. It includes a helpful worksheet for taxpayers to write out their financial goals and make a budget for how they want to spend their refund. The guide is free to download and can be accessed at the CFED website.

Seminar for Girls Interested in Applied Engineering & Technology

Do you know a female junior in high school with a keen interest in science and technology? If so, the Delaware County Community College will be providing a free three day seminar on December 7, 8 and 9. It will include speakers from Boeing, a seminar on how to build a robot and other activities. Transportation will be provided, and experts will be on hand to answer all questions.

The student(s) must fall within the following parameters:

1. Be a female
2. Be an junior in high school
3. Have an interest in technology
4. Like hands on work
5. Have a 2.7 GPA

For more information, contact the Chester Youth Collaborative.

Below is a schedule of events:

Program Outline:

DAY ONE (Presentations) DAY TWO (Hands On Activities) DAY THREE (Field Trip) 9-9:30 am 9-10:30 am 9:00 AM Welcome  Breakfast Build A Robot Bus 9:30-11 am 10:30 am - 12 Noon 9:30 - 11 am Society of  Women Engineers How Simple  Machines Work Synthes Tour 11 am - 12:30 pm 12 Noon - 1 pm 11:15 am - 12 Noon Boeing Lunch Helicopter Museum 12:30 - 1:30 pm 1 - 4 pm 12 Noon - 12:30 pm Lunch Activity focused in manufacturing Lunch on the Bus 1:30 - 3 pm 12:30 - 2:30 pm Navy Keystone Helicopter 3:00 PM Arrive back

National Safe Place Launches TXT 4 HELP Service

National Safe Place launches a new project TXT 4 HELP this afternoon, November 21st. TXT 4 HELP offers teens the location of the closest place where they can receive help and safety. Teens in crisis can text the word "SAFE" and their current location (Street address, City, State) to the number 69866 to receive contact information and location of the closest Safe Place site and local youth shelter. In cities without Safe Place locations teens will receive the name and number of a local youth shelter or if there is no local shelter the National Runaway Switchboard Hotline Number (1-800-RUNAWAY).

Image from www.nationalsafeplace.org

PathWays PA is incorporating FAFSA into our tax program!

This year, PathWays PA’s VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Program will be offering free college access assistance for low income students and their families to help them navigate a path to government grants, scholarships and loans. 75% of the information needed for the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) comes directly from the information on a tax return. PathWays PA will prepare your taxes for free and provide assistance & guidance to complete the (FAFSA) application. Let PathWays PA help you find money for college and make your college dreams a reality.

Going to College: Financial Aid and Financial Independence

November 19, 2011 - 10:00am - 12:00pm
City Institute Branch, Free Library of Philadelphia
1905 Locust Street
Philadelphia, PA, 19103

See map: Google Maps

College really does go beyond your major and the classes you take. For many, it offers the first taste of financial independence. And whether you're applying for financial aid or managing your first credit card, the experience can be daunting.

That's why Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Delaware Valley (CCCS) and our FinanciallyHers program are excited to partner with Citibank to present: "Going to College: Financial Aid ...and Financial Independence"

Hosted by uFinancial Representative Michele Burkholder, this workshop will provide students and their families with the information they need for the journey to college, including:

- How to read and complete the FAFSA
- Cashing in on on being a college student
- Getting a strong financial footing for life

Light refreshments will be served.

Obama Announces New Plan to Help Veterans Find Jobs

Labeled for reuse from flickr.com.

Last week, President Barack Obama issued three executive orders which will focus on helping veterans find jobs. The plan includes the creation of a "Veteran Gold Card," a downloadable document giving post-9/11 veterans access to case management and counseling at 3,000 Labor Department operated career centers across the United States. As many as 200,000 unemployed veterans may benefit from the creation of this program.

In addition, Obama announced the launch of a Labor Department job search website. The website can match a veteran's military occupation with civilian employment. The website also provides salary and apprenticeship information as well as a job bank with more than 500,000 job listings.

November 18, 2011 - The Homeless Advocacy Project and PECO Present a Free Birth Certificate Clinic

The Homeless Advocacy Project and PECO Present a Free Birth Certificate Clinic

When: Friday, November 18, 2011 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Where: Project H.O.M.E., 1515 Fairmount Avenue, (Backspace), Philadelphia, PA 19130
Who: Open (and free of charge) to homeless individuals and families and those at risk of homelessness

Birth certificates are often needed to receive medical assistance, housing and other public benefits, to obtain a Pennsylvania driver’s or nondriver’s license, for access to many public buildings, for general identification and for many other purposes.

Homeless individuals who attend this free clinic will meet with an advocate who will request birth certificates for them and their minor children free of charge.

For additional information, please contact Homeless Advocacy Project at 215-523-9595 or visit us at www.homelessadvocacyproject.org

CFED and National Partners Launch New Bank On Website and Release the First Local Unbanked Population Data Tool

CFED, with collaboration from the US Department of the Treasury and in partnership with the the San Francisco Office of Financial Empowerment, the New America Foundation and the National League of Cities, announces the launch of a new Bank On website. JoinBankOn.org was originally developed by the Treasurer of the City and County of San Francisco to share information and resources from the Bank on San Francisco initiative of 2006.

The website serves as a place where the national community of Bank On initiatives, organizations and individuals can share resources and information supporting financial access for low-and moderate-income Americans. The website includes several new and exciting features including the Research Your Community tool, which allows users to get maps and estimates on the number of unbanked and underbanked households in their local communities. (“Unbanked” refers to someone who does not have a checking or savings account, while an “underbanked” person is someone who has an account, but still relies on other financial services such as payday loans, check cashing services, pawn shops, etc. which often end up depleting financial resources.)

October 22, 2011 is National Make A Difference Day
10AM to 2PM 2011

This is the Biggest Year Yet! We have DOUBLED the number of volunteer sites!

Therefore, we need YOU. Families, friends, and co-workers come serve with us on Saturday, October 22nd for our 18th Annual Philly Cares Day.

Register at the link below: https://sites.google.com/a/gpcares.org/2011phillycaresday/

Urban Affairs Coalition Releases New Foreclosure Prevention Resource Guide

As the national foreclosure crisis has continued to devastate families and communities across the Philadelphia region, the Urban Affairs Coalition has released a new edition of  the Foreclosure Prevention Resource Guide. The guide is intended to help residents, housing counselors, lawyers and mortgage lenders better understand and navigate the foreclosure process.  To view the Foreclosure Prevention Resource Guide Summer/ Fall 2011 click here.

Teen Parenting Classes

If you are a teen parent aged 13-21, please come to our Teen Parenting Classes at 3617 Lancaster Avenue, Philadelphia, PA on Mondays from 4-6 PM. Children are welcome, and we will have tokens and light refreshments available. Participants can learn how to improve their parenting skills, hear how other teens handle parenting, learn how to increase your communications with your child, and have an opportunity to help other teen parents by sharing your experiences. Call 215-549-2686 for more information.

New Co-Pay Scale for Child Care Works Effective October 2011

On September 13th, DPW released the new Child Care Works co-pay scale in accordance with mandated savings of $16 million from the Pennsylvania General Assembly. The parameters laid out in the budget bill stated that a new minimum co-pay of $5 would be set in place (although the Department may waive this in some cases), that the co-pays could be per family or per child and the new co-pays cannot exceed 8% of family income for families living at 100% of the federal poverty level or 11% of family incomes for families who live above 100% of the federal poverty level. 

Under the new co-pay scale, which will become effective October 3, 2011, states that co- pays are per family, not per child.  We have been told by DPW that co-pays will be waived for families without earned income who are receiving TANF.

Current Child Care Weekly Family Co-Pays vs.

Co-Pays Effective 10-01-11 (Family of Three)

Annual Income % of FPIG	Current Weekly Family Co-Pay	Weekly Family Co-Pay as of 10/1/11	Dollar increase % Increase
48% 8660	5	5	0 0%
60% 11,118	5	10	5 100%
70% 12,971	5	10	5 100%
80% 14,824	10	19	9 90%
90% 16,677	15	25	10 67%
100% 18,530	15	25	10 67%
110% 20,383	20	29	9 45%
120% 22,236	25	33	8 32%
130% 24,089	30	37	7 23%
140% 25,942	35	41	6 17%
150% 27,795	40	46	6 15%
160% 29,648	45	51	6 13.3%
170% 31,501	50	56	6 12%
180% 33,354	55	61	6 11%
190% 35,207	60	66	6 10%
200% 37,060	65	71	6 9.2%
210% 38,913	70	77	7 10%
220% 40,766	75	83	8 10.7%
230% 42,619	75	89	14 19%
235% 43,546	80	89	9 11.3%

New 2011 Delaware County Women's Resource Guide

The 2011 Delaware County Women's Resource Guide, published by The Center Foundation, is a comprehensive list of the phone numbers and emails of organizations that can provide aid and assistance in Delaware County and the surrounding regions. It is subdivided by category to make finding the numbers you need a simple process. While it is focused on resources that would be particularly helpful for women, it also offers information on general services such as housing, healthcare, legal help, and counseling.

If You Receive Food Stamps and You Lost Food Through Hurricane Irene, You Can Get Replacements

From our friends at Community Legal Services

Do you get food stamps?
Did you lose food during a power outage or flood?
Ask for replacement food stamps to get new food!

If you get food stamps and you lost food during a power outage or flood, tell the welfare office right away. You may qualify for replacement food stamps.

To get replacement food stamps, you must ask within 10 days of when your food spoiled. Contact your local welfare office or the Philadelphia Customer Service Center at (215) 560-7226. Better yet, put your request in writing and get a receipt.

You will have to complete a form saying how much food you lost. The law allows you to get replacement food stamps for the amount of food that you lost -- up to one month’s benefits.

You may also have to prove that you had a power outage or flood. To get proof from PECO, call (800) 494-4000.

If your power is still off, call PECO at (800) 841-4141 to make sure PECO knows.

Veterans Benefits Assistance

Photo labeled for reuse from flickr.com

The Delaware County Department of Veterans Assistance works with eligible veterans and their families to aid in obtaining and securing benefits at the county, state and federal level, including but not limited to flags and grave markers, blind and disabled benefits, and survivors and dependents assistance. For more information on benefits you may be eligible for and assistance on obtaining them contact the Delaware County Department of Veterans Assistance at (610) 891-4646.

Brochure

 

Are You Ready for a Hurricane?