Guest Blog on the 2011 Hunger Conference!

Fran Alloway, R.D., a nutrition and health educator from the Penn State Cooperative Extension of Delaware County, is the head organizer for the Annual Delaware County Hunger Conference. Today she shares with us a guest blog on this year's conference!

On March 1, 2011, The Challenge of Feeding our Diverse Communities in Delaware County was held at Widener University. For the third year, a group of agency staff and individuals organized a conference to give those working with low income clients the tools to address many of the issues faced by those seeking food, food stamps and related services. Our speakers addressed the self sufficiency standard, health literacy, food related health issues faced across the lifespan, ethnic barriers and provided a template to help each client gain access to healthy food.

Many participants reported that it was the best conference yet and I agree. The next morning I was thinking about Captain Jose Santiago’s (Chester Salvation Army) comments about coming to New England in winter from Puerto Rico where life was bustling, food was spicy and church was noisy to a town where no one was seen after the sun went down. I also marveled when Lynn Kugel from PathwaysPA told us that a woman with one child needs to earn over $60,000 to live comfortably. No wonder many of our working poor struggle.

Dr. Mary Powell from Neumann talked about how only 10% of adults read proficiently at a 10th grade level. Many of our handouts and instructions need to account for the lower 30% who have basic or less than basic skills and have difficulty with charts, detailed instructions and too much information. As a health educator, this was important to hear.

A wonderful panel of two medical doctors, a PhD and Outreach director gave us information on nutrition over the lifespan from low birth weight and premature babies to the elderly. Anne Ayella from Nutrition Development Services talked about how the Archdiocese of Philadelphia started offering school lunches, after school snacks and now administers the summer meal program.

Amanda Archibald, who is a food consultant (Field to Plate) gave us a roadmap template to look at our clients (or groups of clients) and assess food resources they possess and what is missing to better meet their needs. This activity challenged our thinking about food resources. Many of our clients need more than a handout of food, although this helps. Can we teach them to mix those canned green beans into a casserole with the pasta and soup? Can we help our ethnic clients to keep the healthy items in their native diet when they adopt an American way of eating?

A good conference makes you think and challenges you to take action. 76% of our attendees listed an action that they plan to take as a result of the conference and 96% said that they would share the information with others. If you didn’t get to the Hunger conference this year, we’ll be sponsoring a 4th annual conference next March.

March is National Nutrition Month – celebrate how good food creates healthy bodies. Let’s help those with limited access to food eat healthy too. A food resource guide can be found at http://www.co.delaware.pa.us/humanservices/emgfood.html

Women's History Month: Ethel Waters

As Women’s History Month comes to an end, United Way celebrates the memory of another Delaware County woman who made her mark on this community, Ethel Waters. Ethel was a blues, jazz, and gospel vocalist from Chester, Pennsylvania. At the start of her life she faced great hardship; she was the child of a rape victim and lived in impoverished conditions. She was married early in life but her husband abused her, so she decided to run away and pursue a singing career. Despite the tremendous challenges she encountered at the beginning of her life, she persevered and soon garnered success as a vaudeville performer. In the 1920s she performed during the Harlem Renaissance, and continued to act in musicals and sing the blues. Ethel then became the fifth African American woman ever to have a record, and continued to record hits such as “Dinah” which got her inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998. She continued to achieve great success with her performances and recordings, and later became the second African American to be nominated for an Academy Award for her role in “Pinky”. In 1999, Ethel was inducted into the Delaware County Women’s Hall of Fame. Ethel Waters‘s memory still permeates throughout the community because of her fame and success. However, her significance in Women’s History stems from the fact she did not let her past dictate her future; she instead let her talent and drive make her a star.



To learn more about Ethel Waters, go here.

Discount Prescription Plan Available for All Delaware County Residents

In case you have not visited our website, United Way has partnered with Agelity to offer a great service to residents of Delaware County. Agelity provides a discount prescription plan which gives users discounts on many of their prescriptions at pharmacies throughout the County. Cards can be used by all family members and can help make pricey prescriptions more affordable. The card can easily be printed off of our website, and afterwards will be ready for immediate use. All you have to do is present your card when filling your prescription in order to receive the discount. Prescriptions can be a financial burden so let United Way and Agelity help ease that burden with our discount prescription plan. Also, please refer anyone you know whom may be in need of some help with paying for prescriptions.

Please go to our website to learn more about the discount rates, how to use it, and to find answers to any questions.

Chester Economic Development Authority’s Project Plan for 2011

This month, the Chester Economic Development Authority released a draft for its 2011 fiscal action plan. The draft includes monetary provisions for $1.796 million in community development block grants and 499,000 to the “Homeworkers Organized for More Employment Investment Partnership” program.

The Delaware County Daily Times has a full report on how many funds were proposed to be allocated to which programs. You can access it here.

Remember, you have a voice in the allocation of funds! Citizens are encouraged to write letters or to communicate to the Chester Economic Development Authority where they would like to see these funds go. These funds are meant to increase the capacity of the community and give aid to those programs that provide services where there’s the most need. As a resident you have the ability to communicate whether or not you feel the funds are especially needed in certain programs. United Way of Southeast Delaware County encourages residents of the Chester area to pick up a copy of the action plan at the J. Lewis Crozer Library or City Hall. Familiarize yourself with the plan, its goals, and what direction you feel is appropriate for the plan. You have until April 8 to submit letters to CEDA, P.O. Box 407, 511 Welsh St., Third Floor, Chester, PA 19016.

United Way of Pennsylvania Broadcasts the Needs of PA Nonprofits

Third and State, a Pennsylvania public policy blog, featured an article on United Way of Pennsylvania’s efforts in showing the demand for nonprofits’ services as well as the effects that budget cuts have had. United Way of Pennsylvania conducted a survey which revealed that 4 out of 5 nonprofits contend that the recession increased demand. Unfortunately, the recession also included a decrease in donations, as well as significant budget cuts. That means a lack of funding for important social services in a time when they’re needed most. With the upcoming federal budget as well as state budget, there is a serious concern amongst nonprofits that they will not be equipped to provide services to many individuals and families, services that these people greatly need. In fact, according to UWP’s survey, over a third of social service agencies surveyed had to turn away people for services and almost 20% had to revoke certain services. In these hard economic times, this is devastating for thousands of Pennsylvanians!

Here in Delaware County, nonprofits are also experiencing the pressure of an increased demand and decreased funding. With more cuts being proposed, it looks like the pressure will only increase. In some areas where the population in poverty is almost at 30%, individuals need and rely on the services that these organizations provide for basic necessities such as food or shelter. If nonprofits in Pennsylvania have to revoke services and turn people away, then that also leaves people in Pennsylvania, which includes Delaware County, who are in need with nowhere else to turn and this has a devastating effect on many of our fellow citizens’ quality of life.

Please take a look at United Way of Pennsylvania’s Survey to see the pressure nonprofits have been facing to provide much needed services.

Nutrition and Delaware County

March has been established as National Nutrition Month. The American Dietetics Association sponsors a campaign every March dedicated to education and nutrition awareness. This year’s theme is “Eat Right with Color” which conveys the importance of eating nutritious foods like fruits and vegetables which are not only rich in nutrients, but in color as well. For example, instead of simply cooking foods like chicken and potatoes, try to add more color to your plate in the form of colorful vegetables like carrots or spinach. To learn more about how to add color to your plate, go here.

There have been many events around Delaware County that have been indicating the importance of nutrition in our foods. The Delaware County Hunger Coalition and DIFAN held its annual Hunger Conference earlier this month entitled “The Challenge of Feeding Our Diverse Communities in Delaware County.” The conference emphasized cultural differences in food and the need to address food and nutrition in a culturally sensitive manner. Also this past week was the grand opening of a permanent location for the Chester Co-Op, now located on the Avenue of the States. The Co-Op is a community owned grocery store in Chester that provides residents with access to nutritious and fresh foods like locally grown fruits and vegetables, among others. The Chester Co-Op will be significant in providing residents in an area with no grocery store with the ability to feed themselves with foods that will provide nutritional sustenance. Not only are events like the Hunger Conference and the Chester Co-Op’s opening making nutrition a priority, but also food pantries throughout the county are ensuring that foods donated are lower in fat and contain nutrients necessary to lead a healthy life. Delaware County is clearly trying to make nutrition a priority!

Nutrition and Delaware County

March has been established as National Nutrition Month. The American Dietetics Association sponsors a campaign every March dedicated to education and nutrition awareness. This year’s theme is “Eat Right with Color” which conveys the importance of eating nutritious foods like fruits and vegetables which are not only rich in nutrients, but in color as well. For example, instead of simply cooking foods like chicken and potatoes, try to add more color to your plate in the form of colorful vegetables like carrots or spinach. To learn more about how to add color to your plate, go here.

There have been many events around Delaware County that have been indicating the importance of nutrition in our foods. The Delaware County Hunger Coalition and DIFAN held its annual Hunger Conference earlier this month entitled “The Challenge of Feeding Our Diverse Communities in Delaware County.” The conference emphasized cultural differences in food and the need to address food and nutrition in a culturally sensitive manner. Also this past week was the grand opening of a permanent location for the Chester Co-Op, now located on the Avenue of the States. The Co-Op is a community owned grocery store in Chester that provides residents with access to nutritious and fresh foods like locally grown fruits and vegetables, among others. The Chester Co-Op will be significant in providing residents in an area with no grocery store with the ability to feed themselves with foods that will provide nutritional sustenance. Not only are events like the Hunger Conference and the Chester Co-Op’s opening making nutrition a priority, but also food pantries throughout the county are ensuring that foods donated are lower in fat and contain nutrients necessary to lead a healthy life. Delaware County is clearly trying to make nutrition a priority!

Best Wishes for Chester Youthbuild

Youthbuild of Chester provides economically and socially vulnerable young adults with the opportunity to expand their communication, education, and work skills. The benefits participating students receive are two fold. First, students are placed on construction sites where they help build and implement more affordable housing in Chester. These activities enable students to learn and develop vocational skills in the construction business while also expanding on their own personal leadership abilities. Second, students also have access to an educational aspect of the program which consists of high school diploma preparation, GED preparation, and basic skills development.

To date, the Chester’s Youthbuild has served over 230 young adults ages 17 to 24, many of whom were single parents, homeless, former drug and alcohol users, once involved in criminal activities, or receivers of federal assistance. Chester Youthbuild provides these at-risk young adults with an opportunity to get their education, give back to the community, and become eligible for future employment.

Soon Youthbuild of Chester will have to end its services due to the fact that it is not yet a state-approved program. Youthbuild has been a great program in the community, giving Chester youth the opportunity to advance their own futures and make important contributions to the community’s housing. Although the program is closing, there is promise of it reopening upon state approval. United Way hopes that this important program will return to Chester and continue supporting the youth of Chester, as well as give many families access to more affordable housing.

For more information, please visit Chester YouthBuild’s Website: Chester Youthbuild

An Important Guest Blog on the Americorps Program

Anna Walker is a first year law student at the University of Michigan Law School. Last year she served as an Americorps VISTA with Pathways PA and United Way of Southeast Delaware County. Before her year with AmeriCorps, she attended Temple University and graduated with a BA in Political Science and Economics.

It upsets and troubles me that the House last Friday approved a Federal Budget that abjectly ignores the needs of struggling families across the country. Included in the list of education and social service programs to be cut by the $61-billion-budget-purge are all AmeriCorps programs including 75,000 AmeriCorps services positions nationwide.

Without AmeriCorps, communities across the country will become victims of an overwhelming loss of resources and assistance, such as education, job development, financial literacy classes, free tax preparation, heat and utility aid, health care, childcare, food support, housing assistance, and much more. In Pennsylvania alone, there are 3,700 AmeriCorps volunteers currently working to improve the lives of residents and communities across the commonwealth.

As a former AmeriCorps volunteer, I am one of more than 34,000 Pennsylvania residents who have served more than 43 million hours in AmeriCorps programs since AmeriCorps’ foundation in 1994. AmeriCorps programs, which include AmeriCorps VISTA and AmeriCorps NCCC (N-triple-C), attract men and women between the ages of 18 and 24 to service positions aimed at empowering individuals and lifting communities out of poverty. In exchange, AmeriCorps volunteers receive a small living allowance, food stamps, and an education award.

During my VISTA year, I served the Greater Philadelphia area through my work with PathWays PA and the United Way of Southeast Delaware County. I worked as a tax coordinator and a tax preparer, as an advocate for families and for low-income individuals, as a community builder and a resource developer, as a financial educator and a grant writer, as a community representative and a community participant, as a reporter and a listener, as a social networker, and finally, as friend and a coworker.

I urge every employee, board member, and beneficiary of an organization that has ever hosted an AmeriCorps volunteer like me to ask your representatives to think twice about eliminating such an important service for individuals and communities our country. Not only do AmeriCorps programs ensure sustainable service programs, but they also perpetuate the spirit of service among young leaders of our Nation. Destroying such a crucial and influential program will not only hurt Americans today, but also weaken our nation in the future. Please act now. Tell Congress to save AmeriCorps.

For more information on Americorps please visit the Americorps site: http://www.americorps.gov/

Women's History Month

Not only is this month “Read Across America” Month but it is also “Women’s History Month”. All of this month, people are celebrating the tremendous impact that women have made throughout history. Women have been an integral part in all of our lives, communities, and histories. Like many other groups in society, women have a history of tremendous achievements that at some point were ignored, but now are commemorated.

This year’s theme for Women’s History Month is “Our History, Our Strength”. Throughout history, women have persevered and shown their ability to face and overcome adversity. Thus, this month, United Way wishes to celebrate the women here in Delaware County who have helped shape our community. Several times throughout this month we will feature unique women who have left their mark on women’s history as well as our community.

Today’s Woman from Delaware County’s History is Polly Frazer. Polly Frazer lived during the revolutionary war, and was married to an officer in George Washington’s Continental Army. Her husband was a spy for Washington and after the Battle of the Brandywine was captured and imprisoned by the British Army. Two days after the Battle of the Brandywine, Frazer’s house was surrounded by 250 members of the British Army. While the rest of her household left and hid, she waited and faced the British Army. When interrogated, she stood her ground and did not give up the whereabouts of any of Washington’s men. The British ransacked her home, threatened her, and one of the British men even attempted to strike her; but still she never wavered.

Although she plays a small role in Delaware County history, she is still a prime example of strength in women’s history. When faced by 250 men, threatening her and stealing her possessions, she remained brave and steadfast in her loyalty. In 1997, she was inducted into the Delaware County’s Women’s Hall of Fame where her legacy and story continue to impress Delaware County residents.

To read more about other inductees into the Delaware County Women's Hall of Fame, please go here: Women's History Month

Madeline Bialecki Blogs about the Powerful Impact of Reading

Madeline Bialecki is the Executive Director of the Delaware County Literacy Council. The DCLC works with adults who wish to read, write, speak, and understand English so as to improve their communication skills and enable them to participate more fully in society. For more information please go to their website.

Last month, we had our Black History Month celebration at the Literacy Council. This is one of my favorite events because it is an opportunity for adult learners to read in front of an audience.

One of the featured readers was a former student at the Literacy Council. Charlotte came to us almost twenty years ago, reading on a third-grade level. She worked with a tutor and brought her reading level up to a seventh-grade level. A few years ago, she told me she wanted to raise her reading skills to at least a ninth-grade level so that she could enjoy novels.

I do not remember the topic of the essay she read last week; what I do remember, though, is how much her reading has improved since last year’s Black History celebration.

The words flowed easily, and her voice rose and dropped for emphasis. She did not stumble over any words or hesitate even once. It was as if she were speaking from her heart rather than reading. I wondered how it was possible that her reading had improved so dramatically in just one year. And then I remembered something she had told me last winter.

About two years ago, Charlotte adopted a teenage boy, a child who has developmental disabilities. Knowing the positive impact raising her own literacy skills has had on her life, she wanted to ensure that her son could read. So she started to read to him every night. Gradually, as his own reading skills improved, he would read to her as well. They shared reading to one another, every day.

At the Literacy Council, we encourage adult learners to read every day—magazines, newspapers, cereal boxes. The reading material is not as important as the fact of reading. As in most things, practice leads to improvement.

As I listened to Charlotte’s voice, so comfortable reading the words on the page, so confident in her delivery, I wanted to shout out in praise of her accomplishment. I felt like a proud parent! I know that our part in Charlotte’s success was in teaching her the basics of reading and giving her some strategies to raise her literacy levels. She did the hard work of practicing, and she achieved this victory on her own.

March 2nd is Read Across America Day!

The National Education Association has named March 2nd “Read Across America” Day in honor of Dr. Seuss’s birthday. This day means to emphasize the importance of parents reading to their children, especially during children’s younger years.

Here at United Way, one of our Initiatives is Born Learning: which emphasizes early childhood development. This means encouraging learning and parental involvement in these critical early years to further a child’s potential and future possibilities.

In honor of Read Across America Day and National Reading Month, United Way is holding a book drive across Delaware County! We will be collecting books for children ages 0-6 for Parenting Workshops we are helping sponsor with the Women’s Resource Center, J. Lewis Crozer Library, and Delaware County Family Centers. Donation boxes will be placed in various schools and organizations around the county, but if you can’t seem to find one you can donate to us directly by contacting the number below. Our Born Learning Book Drive is happening all month so if you see one of our donation boxes please make sure to donate to a great cause: Delaware County children’s futures.