SPHS Classes Jan./June ’64 & Jan. ’65 reunion
South Philadelphia High School will hold its 60th class reunion luncheon for classes January/June 1964 and January 1965 on Nov. 2 at noon at the Waterfall Room, 2015 S. Water St. Tickets are $70 and include buffet dinner and music. Cash bar. For tickets and more information contact Linda Lewandowski at 215-271-1674, Anna Marie Rosato at 856-371-7332 or Barbara MacCahery at 267-335-7072.
Singing Irish priest in concert at Little Flower
The nonprofit Friends of Little Flower Inc. will welcome Father Ray Kelly, a singing Irish priest, to the school, 1000 W. Lycoming St., on Saturday, Oct. 19. The event is in conjunction with Little Flower’s 85th anniversary. Kelly, a former contestant on Britain’s Got Talent, will celebrate Mass at 4 p.m., followed by a cocktail reception at 5:30 and a concert at 7. Kelly gained fame a decade ago when he sang Hallelujah during a wedding, with the words rearranged for the occasion. The viral video amassed more than 2 million views. Kelly, who serves a parish in County Meath, Ireland, has released several CDs.
Tickets to the reception and concert are $50. For tickets, email friendsoflf@lfchs.org. ••
Postpartum Depression Education Act moves to governor’s desk
On Oct. 9, the state legislature passed a bill that directs the Department of Health to create a public awareness campaign around perinatal and postpartum depression. The bill was introduced by South Philly Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler.
In an effort to improve maternal health outcomes, the bill directs the Department of Health to centralize information on symptoms and treatment for PPD online and on fact sheets available in doctors’ offices, including an up-to-date list of organizations that provide counseling.
Maternal mental health conditions are the leading cause of pregnancy-associated death in the state, according to the Pennsylvania Maternal Mortality Review Committee. Nearly 75 percent of mothers affected receive no treatment.
“As a mom of two, I know that even during the immense joy of bringing a baby into the world, new moms can struggle with postpartum depression,” Fiedler said. “New moms should not have to deal with the shame and isolation that often accompany this common, treatable heath condition. This new public awareness campaign is critical to increasing education, reducing stigma and saving lives.”
The bill was introduced in March as part of the PA Black Maternal Health Caucus “Momnibus” legislative package, which is designed to directly confront the staggering rate of black maternal mortality in Pennsylvania.
Research shows that black mothers are highly susceptible to depression and anxiety, due in part to economic disparities and “racism.” Combating this trend means making sure black parents have the opportunity to learn and receive the resources they need to take care of their mental health when they visit the doctor. The bill is designed to increase awareness to all new mothers at the doctor’s office — regardless of race, ZIP code or income.
The bill has the support of maternal and reproductive health organizations including March of Dimes, Maternity Care Coalition, the Pennsylvania Section of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Pa. American College of Nurse-Midwives, Planned Parenthood Keystone and Pennsylvania Health Access Network. The bill advances to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.
$480K in state funding for Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia
State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler announced $480,347 in state funding has been awarded to the Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia for renovations to its facility in South Philadelphia.
This funding comes from the Multi-Purpose Community Facilities Program of the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority. Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia, located at 2416 S. 7th St., has provided innovative programs and services for Philadelphia’s Cambodian, refugee and immigrant community since 1979.
“For over 40 years, CAGP has provided Philadelphia’s Cambodian, refugee and immigrant community in Philadelphia with cultural, educational and community building services and programs, while being a pillar in the community,” Fiedler said. “I have full confidence that they will effectively and responsibly use these funds to help community members build technology and language skills, apply for and maintain employment, improve their physical and mental health, and prevent and reduce violence in the neighborhood.”
The project will entail renovations to CAGP’s facility in South Philadelphia. The facility offers programs and services such as pre-K and out-of-school time programming, case management of social services for South Philly’s multi-lingual community, computer literacy and technology education for adults, violence intervention and prevention meetings and workshops, meetings of the Southeast Asian Market at FDR park, and several community health initiatives.
The Multi-Purpose Community Facilities Program is funded pursuant to the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund established by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority administers the Facilities Program in accordance with U.S. Treasury guidelines and Act 96 of 2021.
American Swedish Historical Museum receives $20K grant
State Rep. Regina Young announced that two organizations in the 185th Legislative District were awarded grants from the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission through the Cultural and Historical Support Grant program.
The Cultural and Historical Support Grant program presents awards to organizations in the state’s museum community that are otherwise not supported by state agencies with the goal of fortifying these entities for continued operations.
The American Swedish Historical Museum received a grant of $20,400 and John Bartram Association/Bartram’s Garden received $53,100 for a total of $73,500 within the 185th Legislative District.
“I’m thankful that the PHMC recognizes the cultural and historical significance of these two gems of South Philadelphia. Both locations attract all-important tourism dollars through our region and serve as community hubs for connection and support within our local area,” said Young. “As a member of the House Tourism & Economic & Recreational Development Committee, I appreciate the importance of saving and supporting these important institutions for the history of our cultural communities and for the commonwealth of Pennsylvania.”
These awards are part of nearly $4 million in Cultural and Historical Support Grants to 173 eligible entities. According to the PHMC, this is an increase over previous years’ awards by $2 million to better benefit Pennsylvania’s historical resources and strengthen the museum community.
Legislation to provide legal representation for foster youth passes House
Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon’s Ensuring Legal Representation for Child Welfare Act passed the House as part of a bipartisan package of legislation to reauthorize and reform child welfare programs under Title IV-B of the Social Security Act. Scanlon’s bill would instruct states to provide information about available independent legal representation to children and parents in child welfare proceedings.
Scanlon, who serves as co-chair of both the Congressional Caucuses on Access to Legal Aid and Foster Youth, introduced the bipartisan bill earlier this summer alongside Rep. Claudia Tenney. Scanlon and Tenney’s bill is part of a bipartisan package called the Protecting America’s Children by Strengthening Families Act, which encompasses policies from 16 different pieces of legislation from Republican and Democrat members of the Ways and Means Committee. The package reauthorizes Title IV-B for the first time since 2021 and delivers the first significant reforms since 2008. With about 369,000 children in foster care, this legislation offers vital assistance to help strengthen and keep families together and support the safety and well-being of children in foster care.
“With so much at stake in child protection proceedings, attorneys have a critical role to make sure that the voices of children and parents are heard, and their rights are protected,” said Scanlon. “These attorneys can facilitate communication between parties and assist the courts to make informed decisions that prioritize the well-being of the child and family as a whole. I was proud to join Rep. Tenney in introducing the Ensuring Legal Representation for Child Welfare Act to promote justice and safeguard the rights of children and parents, and I am thrilled to see it pass the House as part of today’s historic, bipartisan child welfare reform package.”
Free pre-K spots available for 2024-25 school year
The City of Philadelphia’s Office of Children and Families and the School District of Philadelphia are encouraging families to enroll children aged 3 or 4 years old in the city’s free preschool options with seats still available at 350 locations across Philadelphia.
“How do we ensure our youngest learners are prepared for kindergarten and elementary school? We enroll them in one of Philadelphia’s many free preschools and we do it today,” said Mayor Cherelle Parker. “There is nothing more important in this school season than for parents and guardians to jump online and enroll their child as soon as possible, helping them succeed and helping us achieve a unified vision of serving all Philadelphia’s children.”
To help families search for and apply to locations, the city and school district collaborated alongside federal, state and preschool partners to launch a new enrollment portal called FreePhillyPreK. The FreePhillyPreK website provides information on all 370 locations with over 17,000 publicly funded preschool seats and allows families to submit a single application for up to three of their top choices. The unified application is also mobile-friendly, available in 12 different languages, and automatically saves application data for future use.
Interested families are encouraged to visit the interactive FreePhillyPreK site to select the nearest pre-K program with spots available, or call 844-745-7735 to speak to a representative who can help parents start an application.
To apply, families will need proof child’s age, proof of family residency, proof of household income and Caregiver ID. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Learn about scholarship program
Children’s Scholarship Fund Philadelphia, a K-8th grade scholarship program, will hold a school fair to connect families with CSFP’s network of partner schools, program ambassadors and staff on Saturday, Nov. 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Community College of Philadelphia, Bonnell Building, 1700 Spring Garden St.
Parents will learn how to apply for scholarships.
Free school supplies will be given away, and there will be a prize raffle.
RSVP at https://www.csfphiladelphia.org/school-fair/ ••
Entertainment at Parx
Parx Casino is offering the following upcoming entertainment:
Oct. 18: Straight No Chaser
Oct. 19: Giggly Squad Live
Oct. 25: Michael Blaustein
Nov. 9: Air Supply
Nov. 21: Aaron Lewis
Nov. 23: Steve Trevino
Dec. 7: Kathleen Madigan ••
VFW looking for members
Bustleton-Somerton/CTR1 Michael J. Strange VFW Post 6617 meets on the third Wednesday of every month at American Legion Post 810, 9151 Old Newtown Road.
Meetings start at 7:30 p.m.
If you are a military veteran who served in a designated combat zone, you are eligible to join the VFW.
Call Commander Israel Wolmark at 215-725-0630 if you would like to join the post. ••
Sign up for Philly Bike Ride
The third annual Philly Bike Ride will take place on Saturday, Oct. 19, beginning at 7:30 a.m. at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Riders will pass Independence Hall, City Hall, Love Park, Chinatown, Old City, Penn’s Landing and Boathouse Row on Kelly Drive. They can choose between a 20-mile course or a 7.6-mile version, both ending at the art museum.
The free post-ride festival features live music, wellness activities, a beer garden and food trucks.
The cost is $69, with various add-ons available.
A portion of proceeds will support the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia and its Youth Cycling Program.
For more information, visit www.phillybikeride.com ••
