Blog Archives - PEOPLE'S EMERGENCY CENTER

PEOPLE'S EMERGENCY CENTER

True Stories from the Front Lines: Rental Assistance

3/30/2022

Housing Challenges Facing Our Families

Jade and Mark (their names have been changed to protect their privacy) have three children and have been struggling to keep up with rent. They are both employed, but their hours were cut drastically due to the pandemic. They often went weeks without any income. As a result, they fell behind on their rent payments and were served a notice to vacate by their landlord in January.

PEC was able to pay their entire debt and work with their landlord to remove the threat of eviction. Since receiving rent assistance, Jade and Mark went back to work. They are now able to move forward without fear of losing their home.

Upon exiting the program Jade said, "Thank you so much. This is so appreciated. Everything is falling into place because of your continued help and my faith. Thank you.”

Children Cannot Wait: Discussion with Sen. Hughes

3/30/2022

Children Cannot Wait Campaign Update:
PEC participates in Roundtable Discussion with Senator Vincent Hughes

At PEC’s request, Senator Vincent Hughes held a ‘Roundtable Discussion’ with a panel of experts about the catastrophic surge in child and youth homelessness in Pennsylvania. From 2011 through 2019, the number of school-aged children experiencing homelessness in our commonwealth jumped from 28,000 to more than 40,000. A quarter of those are younger than school age. At this rate of growth, PEC estimates that Pennsylvania could identify more than 50,000 children and youth experiencing homelessness by 2026. How can we stop this trend?

Take Action for our Youngest Children

3/30/2022

Tell PA State Senators and House Members to Increase
funding for Pre-K and Head Start!

PEC urges you to contact your state legislators to support increases in funding for Head Start Supplemental and Pre-K Counts! There are more than 9,300 children ages birth through five who experience homelessness in the Commonwealth, including some 2,600 children in Philadelphia. These children need high quality early learning programs that would help promote their development and help them to be ready for school.

Governor Wolf proposed a $60 million state funding increase for Pre-K Counts and a $30 million increase for Head Start Supplemental Assistance in the 2022-23 state budget, and now is the time to ask members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly to support it or improve on it.

Events 3/26-3/27

3/25/2022

Happening in West Philadelphia This Weekend!

Genealogy workshop, criminal record expungement clinic, and Penn Museum Sundays!

PEC Events & Resources

3/25/2022

Happy Spring from PEC's Community Connectors!

People’s Emergency Center blooms with events and resources this spring!

We are offering a full calendar of classes, food relief, community meetings, historical, cultural, and art programs for West Philadelphia residents this year.

Two Free Live Jazz Events for You

3/25/2022

SAVE THE DATES
for two
JAZZ PERFORMANCES IN APRIL AND JULY

PEC Neighborhood Advisory Committee Elections

3/25/2022

Make a difference in your community!

Nominate or be a candidate for People’s Emergency Center’s Neighborhood Advisory Sub Committee

The Neighborhood Advisory Sub Committee (NASC) is a city-wide program of Philadelphia’s Division of Housing and Community Development. People’s Emergency Center’s (PEC) NASC service area is between 31st and 48th Streets from Market Street to Mantua Avenue. There are 14 members who serve their neighborhoods for a term of two years. A new committee is being elected this year. You are invited to share your ideas, skills, and time with your neighbors by being a part of the PEC NASC!

Building Early Links for Learning in Permanent Supportive Housing

3/14/2022

PEC Launches Parent Ambassador Program in Permanent Supportive Housing

By Todd Hopkins
PEC BELL Project Early Childhood Coordinator

Yasimine, a Parent Ambassador for PEC’s BELL Project Permanent Supportive Housing Program (BELL-PSH), describes her experience as a resident in the system as inspirational. “In the beginning, it was pretty rough as though it was a new start for me. But as time went on, I grew and learned. The experience ultimately changed my life.”

Housing and Education for Young Children

3/14/2022

Figure 2. Collaboration Frequency Between Head Start Staff and Their Key Partners to Identify Children and Families Experiencing Homelessness in 2017 Compared to 2020

Head Start Collaboration and Partnerships to
Support Families Experiencing Homelessness

The Pennsylvania Head Start State Collaboration Office (HSSCO) analyzed multiple data sources to examine the incidence of homelessness and the nature of grantee collaboration with key partners.

Children's Workgroup Conference March 2022

3/11/2022

Next Children’s Work Group Early Childhood Conference (CWGEC)
March 18, 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM, Via Zoom

This CWGEC Conference will feature Sarah Vrabic and FathersRead365

Sarah Vrabic, PEC Everyday Learning Play Spaces Manager, will be presenting on her newly published peer-reviewed article in the Child: Care, Health and Development journal, “Perceptions of support in shelter environments for caregivers and young children experiencing family homelessness.” The article centers around family interviews she conducted with a team of colleagues before the pandemic.

Text PECCARES to 844-961-3547 for PEC news!

People's Emergency Center

Main Office: (267) 777-5880
Email: pec@pec-cares.org

PEC Community Development Corporation

Community Resource Hotline: (267) 777-5477
Email: peccdc@pec-cares.org

Policy & Research

Phone: (267) 777-5851
Email: policy@pec-cares.org

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