Seven Philadelphia schools are getting building upgrades thanks to a $175 million state program that helps districts across Pennsylvania fix up facilities.The money will replace windows and doors, remove asbestos and lead paint, put on new roofs, renovate bathrooms, and more; it will be matched by district funds. Read more

Pa. state Rep. Darisha Parker joined fellow members of the Women’s Health Caucus in celebrating $3 million in funding to supply schools with menstrual products. Parker says that no young adult should have to miss school due to lack of access to proper products and is glad to get this done. Read more

HARRISBURG, Oct. 22 – State Rep. Regina Young, D-Phila./Delaware, announced that eight grants from the Statewide Local Share Account were awarded to projects in the 185th Legislative District totaling $2,055,232. In Delaware County, the Colwyn Borough Police Dept. received $227,500 to improve environmental and egress issues in their facility, as well as technology upgrades to increase the department’s capacity to accurately investigate incidents of crime and serve and protect the community.In Southwest Philadelphia, the PIDC Financing Corp. was awarded seven separate grants for projects throughout the area, as follows:•$250,000 for the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary Inc. toward construction of a freshwater mussel hatchery at Bartram's Garden.•$250,000 for the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development to replace an electric substation located at the Navy Yard.•$250,000 for the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development for electrical, mechanical and structural system repairs on the Navy Yard Lift Bridge, which was constructed in 1942.•$500,000 for Sharing Excess Food rescue redistribution and composting expansion effort.•$375,000 for the Caring People Alliance to replace the roof and all windows at the South Philadelphia Boys & Girls Club.•$69,644 for The Friends of FDR Park to buy a new vehicle and equipment for park maintenance.•$133,088 for the Inglis Foundation, for the installation of sidewalks and crosswalks along Mario Lanza Boulevard at the... Read more

HARRISBURG, Oct. 22 – State Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila. announced today that she has secured funding for local projects through grants from the Statewide Local Share Account totaling more than $1.57 million. Grants were awarded to the PIDC Funding Corp. to facilitate projects for the Overbrook Community Development Corp., Umoja Inc. and the Cobbs Creek Restoration and Community Foundation.Project details are as follows:Overbrook Community Development Corp. was awarded $48,353 to install holiday decorative light fixtures along Haverford Avenue in West Philadelphia as part of the Haverford Avenue Beautification and Light Project. LSA funds will be used for construction costs, administrative costs, and the purchase and installation of equipment. Umoja, Inc. was awarded $550,000 for the construction of a space to host a “MakersLab and Entrepreneurial Hub” at the Umoja Inc. facility in West Philadelphia. LSA funds will be used for renovations and site preparation for a significant portion of the current Umoja facility to create space for this hub for creators and entrepreneurs. $977,000 was awarded to The Cobbs Creek Restoration and Community Foundation for restoring and maintaining the historic Cobbs Creek Golf Course.Cephas praised the Commonwealth Financing Authority for seeing the value in these community development projects. “This funding is a real investment in the people and neighborhoods of West Philadelphia. Improved street lighting brightens not only our sidewalks... Read more

HARRISBURG, Oct. 22 – State Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila. today announced that the School District of Philadelphia has been awarded two grants from the Public School Facility Improvement Grant Program totaling $8.65 million to support renovation projects at Overbrook High School. The projects will renovate the auditorium and replace the roof at the historic 98-year-old building. •$5 million was awarded for roof replacement, HVAC, energy savings, plus health and safety upgrades in the school auditorium, including complete asbestos and lead paint abatement, and removing moldy walls and ceilings.•$3.65 million was awarded for the roof replacement project for the entire school, due to ongoing leak issues that have escalated air quality and mold concerns. The School District of Philadelphia will provide $10.75 million in matching funds to cover the total cost of both projects. “At nearly 100 years old, Overbrook High School is one of the oldest and most iconic school buildings in Philadelphia but riddled with environmental concerns following years of disrepair. With its easily distinguishable architecture and beauty, these renovation projects will keep this star of our community shining for future generations,” said Cephas.“This is part of our commitment to remediating toxic school buildings across the state. I’m thankful that the Shapiro administration understood the dire need of these restorations so that we can keep Overbrook High healthy, safe and clean for our students,... Read more

State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Phila., release the following statement after a violent weekend in North Philadelphia’s Hartranft neighborhood: “Once again, what should have been a joyful community celebration in Hartranft ended in tragedy, and my heart is heavy. Too many lives in our city have been cut short by gun violence, leaving families and neighborhoods mourning. As someone who calls North Philly home, I’ve seen both the strength of our communities, and the deep pain violence leaves behind. While we’ve made progress, we can’t be satisfied. There’s still so much work to do to ensure safety for everyone. “We must care for each other. When conflict arises, we must meet it with empathy and understanding—not with violence. Too often, social media turns small disagreements into something much bigger. We are stronger than that, and violence cannot be the way we respond. “I’m thinking of those injured over the weekend and sending my deepest wishes for their recovery, both physically and emotionally. Now is the time for us to come together to focus on what unites us as a community so we can all live with the safety, peace and hope that we deserve.” Read more

As part of the commonwealth’s effort to increase access to internet resources in all communities, state Rep. Regina Young, D-Phila./Delaware, announced that the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority has awarded a $1 million grant to the Office of Innovation and Technology in the city of Philadelphia for technological infrastructure improvements to create a southwest digital access hub at the Finnegan Rec Center in Southwest Philadelphia. Read more

HARRISBURG, Oct. 16 - Today, Gov. Josh Shapiro signed into law Act 100 , introduced by state Rep. Regina Young, D-Phila./Delaware and former state Rep. Donna Bullock, D-Phila., creating a license exemption for natural hair braiding in the commonwealth. “Natural hair braiding has been commonplace in the African American community for centuries. The techniques have been passed from generation to generation and are learned from early childhood. It does not take formal training to do,” Young said. “This is a recognition of the distinct cultural richness of natural hair braiding and that all it takes a comb, a brush and a beautiful head full of hair — no license necessary.” The law exempts hair braiders from having to obtain a cosmetology license to practice braiding and brings Pennsylvania in line with the more than 30 other states that have exempted hair braiders from licensing laws. Read more

Today, state Rep. Rick Krajewski announced that two organizations in his legislative district were awarded a combined $600,000 in state funding. Lincoln University received $500,000 to make technological upgrades and update their Philadelphia facility, The School of Adult and Continuing Education. SACE provides educational opportunities to adult learners who wish to continue their learning journey, before or after earning their bachelor's degree. “Learning is a lifelong journey which should be easily accessible and affordable,” Krajewski said. “I’m proud that historic institutions like Lincoln University choose to bring their reputation for excellence to our community and I will always work to support them however I can.” This grant is from the Multi-Purpose Community Facilities Program, which is funded pursuant to the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund, established by Section 604 of the Social Security Act, as added by Section 9901 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. It is administered by the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority. The second grant of $100,000 was awarded to Workshop U, a postsecondary program for students aged 18-25 that helps students make life-design plans and bring the plan to life through mentorship, internships and training. This grant is from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. “Our young adults need tools to help Read more

State Rep. Darisha parker, today announced that Happy Hallow Recreation Center was awarded a $1 million grant to upgrade their facilities. “Philadelphia’s recreation centers provide a safe alternative for youth to participate in structured programs instead of wandering the streets,” Parker said. “This investment will go a long way to help foster community connections and give our youth hope.” The funding will help Happy Hollow become a digital access hub for residents who cannot access broadband internet as well as a heating and cooling center for residents in need. “This is such an important tool for the fight against gun violence,” Parker said. Happy Hollow Rec. Center is the oldest recreation center in Philadelphia and has served as a starting place for professional players in the National Basketball Association. The Multi-Purpose Community Facilities Program is funded pursuant to the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund, established by Section 604 of the Social Security Act, as added by Section 9901 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) administers the Facilities Program in accordance with U.S. Treasury guidelines and Act 96 of 2021. Read more