PIHN joins FSPN at City Council Homelessness Prevention Hearing

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Council Prevention hearing-Nancy House testifying-2017-03-13edit

Philadelphia Interfaith Hospitality Network (PIHN) families, staff and volunteers as well as many representatives from the Family Service Provider’s Network (FSPN) testified on March 13th about the need for a Homelessness Prevention Plan this past Monday at a City Council public hearing. The hearing, sponsored by the Council’s Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development and Homelessness advocated for funding for a robust homelessness prevention program to relieve Philly’s log-jammed shelter system with long waiting lists.

Andrea Jourden and Nancy House, PIHN alumni,  spoke about their struggles to find housing they could afford and how they are doing so much better since PIHN’s shallow rent subsidy and master lease program.  As working, low income families, their stay in shelter could have been shortened or avoided all-together had resources been available earlier. Aubrey, Nancy’s 11 year old daughter spoke eloquently about the impact of housing insecurity on her family and her difficulty concentrating in school when the family was struggling prior to entering PIHN’s Master Lease Housing program that offers shallow rent subsidies. PIHN’s Director Rachel Falkove, and other FSPN providers, suggested that City Council:

1) Direct $3,000,000 from the Housing Trust Fund for Homelessness Prevention efforts.

2) Allocate $3,000,000 from the General Fund to strengthen the contract agencies that have been flat-funded for the past 8 years.

3) Allocate $25,000 for trauma informed care training programs.

We are hopeful that these requested changes combined with strengthening the role of public/private/faith-based partnerships will result in helping 750 families avoid the experience of homelessness.

PIHN families of Andrea Jourden , Nancy and Aubrey House (shown in photo above) & Rachel Falkove (below) at Press Conference before the Hearing.

City Council Homelessness Prevention Hearing-PIHN Rachel-2017-03-13 (2)edit

Click Here for our Article on PlanPhilly.com!

Take a peak into the Hearing by following these YouTube links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MwnKoh7L-Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nO88646l1QY

Raymour & Flanigan “Wheels to Work” 2016 Fundraiser

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In the past month, PIHN has come together with Raymour & Flanigan to raise funds for  SEPTA passes to distribute to our neighbors who need transportation to get to job interviews, new jobs or take care of other responsinilities. Thanks to all of you, our “Wheels to Work” fundraiser was a wonderful success! Thanks to the generosity Raymour & Flanigan with an extra check from SEPTA, PIHN will be able to 571 bus tokens for PIHN and community families in need of transportation assistance.

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PIHN welcomes our newest faith community partner: Masjidullah!

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We are thrilled to introduce our new faith community partner- Masjidullah, a Muslim community at Washington Lane and Limekiln Pike.  Inspired by the Imam Roberto Rashid’s commitment to interfaith partnerships, members of Masjidullah responded generously to PIHN’s recent request for food contributions to cover a month of hospitality for our families.  The community raised over $1,000 to cover hosting expenses.  While Masjidullah cannot physically host PIHN families, many of the members have also stepped up to volunteer when our families are staying in other congregations. The community warmly welcomed PIHN’s Executive Director , Rachel Falkove, at a recent Friday worship service. 

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Celebrating another great Empty Plate Dinner!

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We thank all of our supporters for making Empty Plate Dinner 2015 such a success!

We thank our corporate sponsors:
EPD 2015 sponsors

We also thank Holy Family University for all of their support in painting plates and volunteering during the event!
Holy Family University

We thank the businesses who donated items for our raffles and prize baskets:
Acme Markets
Beer Baron
Fat Jack’s BBQ
Giant Food Stores
Gino’s Pizza & Spaghetti House
Golden Corral
La Petite Puppy Salon
Longhorn Steakhouse
Panera Bread
Pathmark
Pizza City
Saul Funeral Homes, Inc.
Stein’s Flowers
Sweet Lucy’s Smokehouse
Three Monkeys Cafe

For a list of Empty Plate Dinner food contributors, please visit our Empty Plate Dinner page.

Empty Plate Dinner is back!

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Empty Plate Dinner 2015

 

 

Saturday April 18th
Doors open 5:00pm, food served until 8:00pm
St. Dominic’s Marian Hall: 8532 Frankford Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19136
Tickets: $20 Adults, $10 Students with ID, $7 Children 12 and under
(Additional $5 for unlimited beer and wine)

Visit our Empty Plate Dinner page to learn more about this fun and delicious springtime event, including advertisement and sponsorship opportunities.

Empty Plate Dinner 2014

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Empty Plate Dinner 2014 has come and gone, but we still remember it as a great event celebrating the strength of community. Save the date for next year’s Empty Plate Dinner, scheduled for Saturday April 18, 2015. In the mean time, click here to watch this video of the event created by student volunteer Taylor Ruso. And below are some pictures form the event as well. We thank you for your support of our inaugural Empty Plate Dinner and look forward to seeing you next year!

We thank YOU for your support of Jazz it Up ’14

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We thank our community of supporters and sponsors who helped make Jazz it Up ’14 such a success. We also thank the musicians who donated their time and talent to present a spectacular jazz festival. We congratulate Jazz it Up! Producer Justin Fink on a second spectacular day of live jazz music. As you look back at these pictures from the event, we hope you remember what a good time you had while furthering NPIHN’s mission to find lasting solutions to family homelessness. We look forward to seeing you at our next event!

  • The Fabulous Spielkehs perform classic klezmer

Photographs by Ken Burgess

Jazz it Up! 2014: SUNDAY MAY 18TH 12-9:30PM

JIU Sponsors 5.7