Empowering small business owners: connecting them to experts and resources

Rep. Darisha Parker October 20, 2026 | 10:36 AM

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Working together on Period Action Day – Teamwork makes the dream work!

Last weekend, I spent the afternoon with First Lady Lori Shapiro, State Rep. Gina Curry, Sen. Amanda Cappelletti, and Sen. Maria Collett. Together, we’ve proved that advocacy and teamwork are key to implementing solutions!

Saturday was Period Action Day, and I had a great afternoon with Office of the First Lady of Pennsylvania + Mitzvah Circle packing and distributing period products for those in need.

I’m proud to say that, thanks to our teamwork, advocacy, and incredible support from First Lady Shapiro, people throughout the Commonwealth realize the problem of period poverty and are taking steps to address it.

Thank you all for your commitment to woman and girls across PA!

Supporting our small business owners

Happy to partner with Sen. Shariff Street for the 10th Annual Diverse and Minority Enterprise Forum. It was a great turn out and so inspiring to connect our neighbors with resources that will ensure their businesses thrives.

49th Ward Clean up event

I joined Councilmember Cindy Bass, Sherita Glenn (49th Ward Leader), Drexel students, and CLIP constituents for a cleanup event in the Logan Triangle.

A strong community means coming together and doing our part to keep our neighborhood safe and clean.

Do you know your block leader?

Are you ready to clean and organize your neighborhood, if so please contact Philadelphia More Beautiful Committee! We would love to join and partner with your neighborhood.

SoHi Center for Immigration & Community Development awarded state funding

One of my favorite parts of being a state lawmaker is being able to support the organizations that provide invaluable services to our neighborhoods.

I was proud to stand with Sen. Shariff Street and Councilmember Anthony Phillips to celebrate $200,000 in funding we secured for the SoHi Center for Immigration & Community Development, formerly the Korean Community Development Services Center. It recently changed its name to foster inclusivity for all immigrants.

Do you have a nonprofit or small business? Keep reading to see opportunities for grant funding that you don’t have to pay back!

Contact my office for more information.

Congratulations to Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Alyn E. Waller of Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church. He’s newly appointed commissioner to Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission.

Become a Crossing Guard

School crossing guards promote the safety of students walking to and from schools that serve grades K–5. They contribute to the success of Philadelphia students and are important to school communities.

Click here for more information.

Hiring for crossing guards takes place throughout the year. Available positions will appear on the City’s jobs board.

Beware of Upcoming Changes to Medicaid

Changes are coming to Medicaid – also known as Medical Assistance in Pennsylvania – beginning next year.

On Jan. 1, certain adults ages 19–64 will need to meet a work or community engagement requirement or qualify for an exemption. The requirement generally means 80 hours per month of work, education, job training, volunteering, or a combination of those activities. Adults with a dependent child under age 14 are exempt, along with several other groups.

These work requirements do not apply to children enrolled in Medicaid, and they do not apply to Medicare.

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services will contact people who are affected. I’ll continue sharing information as implementation nears, but here are some tips to stay ready:

Update your address in COMPASS at dhs.pa.gov/COMPASS or the myCOMPASS PA app.
Update your address with the U.S. Postal Service at USPS.com/move.
Sign up for texts and email alerts from DHS at dhs.pa.gov/text.

Open any mail from PA DHS right away.

DMVA Now Accepting Veterans’ Trust Fund Grant Applications

The 2027–28 Veterans’ Trust Fund (VTF) will be accepting grant applications for programs and services benefiting Pennsylvania veterans from Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, until 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 18, 2026.

The DMVA will award VTF grants to nonprofit organizations, veterans service organizations, and county directors of veterans’ affairs across the state.

Interested applicants are encouraged to join a Teams meeting on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026, at 11 a.m., where an overview of the grant guidelines, timeline, and application process will be provided.

There will be an opportunity for questions at the end of the meeting.

Interested parties can email ra-mvvettrustfund@pa.gov to receive the Teams link or meeting slides.

New Regional Rail schedules go into effect on Sunday, October 18.

Check your route below or download the SEPTA app!

Important voting information

Remember, elections happen more than just every four years – and each vote is a chance to shape the future you want to see.

Some key dates to keep in mind for 2026:

LAST DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE: October 19

LAST DAY TO APPLY FOR MAIL-IN BALLOT OR ABSENTEE BALLOT: October 27

Apply for a mail-in ballot here

GENERAL ELECTION DATE: November 3; polls are open for in-person voting from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Click here to find your polling place.

If you plan to vote by mail but it gets too close to Election Day to mail your completed ballot, the city has several secure ballot drop boxes and satellite election offices available to ensure your vote is counted.

Just remember to get your completed ballot there by 8 p.m. on Nov. 3.

Find your local drop box here.

Here is a list of Satellite Offices around the city.

PA college students: Not sure where to vote this fall? You can register at your campus address or your home address. Learn more: vote.pa.gov/College

Do you know your rights when it comes to voting?

Small Business owners – the state has resources for you!

Small businesses are the backbone of our community and I will continue doing everything I can to lend support to your small business. Contact my office so my staff and I can visit your business!

Grant Opportunities

Did you know that your non-profit, municipality, school and other organizations can apply for state funding to help with things like security upgrades, facility remodeling and maintenance and more?

Click here to see what funding opportunities are available to you and please don’t hesitate to contact my office for assistance or a letter of support.

The InStore Forgivable Loan Program helps eligible retail, food, and selected personal service businesses purchase equipment and make interior improvements. The program seeks to increase economic development efforts on historically underserved commercial corridors.

Loan details

InStore approves a limited number of projects each year for forgivable loans. Small businesses can receive a forgivable loan to purchase equipment and make improvements to a commercial property:

Loans are worth between $50,000 to $100,000. Additional funding may be available and determined on a case-by-case basis, not to exceed a total of $200,000.
No payment or interest is collected on the loan for five years.
The loan is forgiven after five years if the business remains open and operating at the same location.

Click here for more information.

Business Assistance Service Centers

Business Assistance Service Centers are local hubs designed to support small, diverse, and historically disadvantaged businesses across Pennsylvania. These centers offer personalized help with important business needs.

Each center provides a range of free or low-cost services tailored to your business needs, including:

Personalized one-on-one business counseling
Help with business accounting and financial planning
Training on employer responsibilities and compliance
Support with government contract procurement
Guidance on local resources and business programs available in your community

Let’s take it from the Block to the Ballot

I would love to join you and/or your neighbors to talk about civics and the power of community engagement. Please contact my office to schedule a time for an overview of local, state, and federal government, and how each plays an important role in your everyday life.

Apply today for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program

If you are 65 or older, a widow or widower age 50 or older, or at least 18 with a permanent disability, you may qualify for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program and receive a rebate on your taxes.

I voted to expand this program and, as a result, thousands more people are eligible and receiving larger rebates.

Click here for more information and don’t forget that my office can help you apply as well.

The deadline to apply has been extended to Dec. 31.