July 2009

Issue 12

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C O A L I T I O N M E M B E R S

Audrey Allen

Paul Bailey

Tyrone Benson

Alexzina Bryant

Hanna Bryant

Rodney Buckson

Carl Burman

Spencer Canty

Andre Crews

Agnes Currie

Melvin Davis

Clayton Dendy

Stephanie Dixon

Bruce Durham

Chad Enos

Gregory Garrison

Donna Gass

Ron George

Ida Glenn

Cassandra Graves

Constance Harris Crews

Mark Harrison

Lillian Hood

Joanne Jones

Vernon Keith Montague

Marsha J. Moore

Daryl Nelson

Carol Payne

Joe Purnell

Christine Riddick

Joanne Robinson

Myra Robinson

Michael Ross

Eric Sabin Sims

A’za Sims

ChrisAnne Smith

Yvette S. Smith

Tara E. Smith

Robert Stone

Marsha W. Wall

Cassandra Whiters

Roger Wilkerson

Officer Joe Young

A P R O J E C T O F Y O A C AA P R O J E C T O F Y O A C A PP

BUDGET CUTS OR TAX INCREASE? THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION In light of the recent budget cuts, Senator Anthony H. Williams called a meeting of

community leaders to discuss cuts considered by the state. He encouraged us to express our

concerns and offer suggestions that he can present to State Legislators. Please call your Senator

to let him know how you feel about these options below. We applaud Senator Williams for

being proactive, for giving us important information and the opportunity to express ourselves.

Dear Resident: Last month, the State Senate passed a budget bill (S.B. 850) that makes drastic cuts in programs and services that address the needs of our most vulnerable citizens. Recently, S.B. 850 was defeated on a party-line vote by the House Appropriations Committee. Pennsylvania does not have a budget yet and probably will not have one until Labor Day. S.B. 850 eliminated funds for programs important to this community: violence prevention, workforce development, financial literacy, basic education, health awareness & prevention activities, services for the disabled, and positive youth development programs.

Funding for violence prevention was eliminated

Funding for the customized job training program was decreased by 50%

Funding for basic education was decreased by nearly 20%

Funding for early childhood programs (Pre-K Counts and Head Start) was decreased by 50%

Funding for Family Savings Account, Self Employment Assistance Program, and the PA Community Development Bank was eliminated

Senator Anthony H. Williams held a meeting on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at the Kingsessing Recreation Center to speak candidly to his constituents about the proposed cuts and other options. After we heard about the cuts (outlined above) from Senator Williams, he spoke about the other option: A .5% personal income tax (PIT) increase. The tax increase would cost about $217 more per year for a family of four that earns about $50,000. For a family of four earning $100,000 per year, the proposed tax would be $413 yearly. A family of four making $32,000 and less, will not have to pay the tax at all. A person over 60 years of age, depending on their income, may not be required to pay this tax as well. However, according to the Senator, this option will not be a favorable one. In any case, we need to consider either a tax increase or we will loose important base level programs. So please call Senator Williams’s Office to give your opinion on S.B. 850 or the proposed personal income tax increase. Which option is important to you? Each person who reads this letter needs to take a minute to let his office know how you feel. Please call (215) 492-2980 right away and ask for Ms. Alicia Burbage to express your opinion and to ask questions. Each call will be logged in so Senator Williams can take your words back to the other legislatures across the state that may not have the same type of issues that Philadelphians are experiencing. Please let your voice be heard, not just by Senator Williams, but his colleagues across the Senate. Thank you.

Left to right: SWCAG’s President Marsha Wall, MEE

Productions’ Alicia Jackson, and YOACAP’s President &

CEO Linda Burnette, at a community rally held in June,

coordinated by GPUAC, to let state and city officials know

that Philadelphians are against more budget cuts.

Enroll your kid into YOACAP’s Youth Development Program! Youth and parents are both enrolled into a two-year experience that builds the assets of

youth and their families. For more information, please call

Ebony Joyner at 215.851.1857 for the next cycle that begins in September.

This program is funded by the William Penn Foundation and is currently accepting applications.

If you would If you would

like to have a like to have a

Southwest Southwest

Philadelphia Philadelphia

Resource Guide Resource Guide

mailed to you, mailed to you,

please call please call

215.851.1836215.851.1836

Ex-Offenders Program Call 215.685.3373 Help Line

Free HIV Testing Call 215.724.7430 Ms. Hanna Bryant

Interested in Becoming A Block Captain Call 267.939.2366 Mr. Clayton Dendy

18+ Interested in finding a job Call 215.729.2389 Ms. Marsha Wall

Youth Basketball Call 215.939.6283 Ms. Connie Crews

Abstinence Program Call 215.239.8668 Mr. Roger Wilkerson

Town Watch Integrated Services Call 215.686-1422 Ms. Tara Smith

State Representative Ron Waters Office Call 215.748.6712 Mr. Nathaniel Lee

12th Police District—Community Officer Call 215.686.3122 Officer Joe Young

Senator Anthony Williams’s Office Call 215.492.2980 Alicia Burbage

Blueprint for a Safer Philadelphia Call 1.888.570.2583 Hotline

F.Y.I.F.Y.I.

TURN IN YOUR GUNS CAMPAIGN:

FEWER GUNS ON OUR STREETS By Nathaniel Lee

Thanks to the Southwest

Community Advisory

Group’s (SWCAG’s) Turn

In Your Gun Campaign

held on Saturday, June

27th at Myers Recreation

Center, there are now 54

fewer guns on our streets.

During this event organized by the SWCAG and the 12th

Police District, those individuals possessing guns were

requested to voluntarily turn them in – no questions asked.

In return they received their choice of prizes offered as

incentives. These incentives included video MP3 players,

Wii game consoles, Playstation 3 game consoles, X-BOX

360s, or $100.00 gift certificates.

On one occasion, a juvenile, no

older than 15 years of age, rode up

on his bike to turn in a weapon to

SWCAG’s President Marsha Wall.

As reported by Ms. Wall, this

made all of the hard work and

effort required to organize an

event of this kind, worthwhile.

The young man received an

X-BOX 360 valued at $330 for his courageous efforts.

Thanks to the SWCAG, the 12th Police District, Power

99 FM, Blueprint For A Safer Philadelphia, and all of the

collaborators that contributed in making this event a

success. Certainly, there are now fewer guns on our

streets. Our next Turn In Your Gun Campaign will take

place in November 2009. Let’s get the word out now to

everyone in our communities to turn in all illegal firearms!

IT’S A GIRL! Congratulations to SWCAG

member Ms. Tara Smith and

her husband for the arrival of

their daughter Taryn Elaine

Smith, born on February

18th, 2009. The SWCAG

members wish you the best!

CLAYTON DENDY:

THE GREAT VALUE OF

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP

On June 26, 2009, the Family

Leadership Institute celebrated

their prestigious graduation at the

Howard Gittis Student Center of

Temple University. We are proud

to announce that SWCAG

member, Mr. Clayton Dendy,

received four awards during the

ceremony. These awards were for

Perfect Attendance, Community

Participation, Credibility, and

Professionalism Representation.

Indeed, Clayton deserved these awards. A long-

time resident of Southwest Philadelphia, Clayton’s

main responsibility is to be the Vice President of No

House Untouched (NHU), a well-known organization

in the area dedicated to provide resources to the

community to promote its development. With his

assistance, NHU won an award from Townwatch

Services recognizing their community work, last year.

Mr. Dendy is also member of the SW Philadelphia

Epic Stakeholders, and a lead guitar player for the

Fantasy Band. As part of his community involvement,

he plays the guitar at Revelation Baptist Church of

God, where he has been a member for several years.

As if that was not enough, Clayton likes to listen to

good jazz, enjoys his friends’ company while playing

pool, and dressing nice for community events. If you

see Clayton riding his bike around the neighborhood,

give him a big shout out for being a great role model

and community leader in Southwest Philadelphia.

OPEN HOUSE State Representative Kenyatta Johnson,

of the 186th Legislative District, has

opened his new office in Southwest

Philadelphia, and is inviting the entire

Community to an Open House. This will take place on

Saturday, August 15, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Please take this

opportunity to meet State Representative Johnson! For

more information, call Debra Hopkins at 215.952.3378.

Police officer from 12th Police

District sorting guns

FUN DAY

At the

12th Police District &

Philadelphia Fire Department

Ladder 4

65th & Woodland Ave.

Friday, July 24th, 2009

10 a.m.—2 p.m.

Fun and entertainment for all kids!

Clowns, magicians, food

& refreshments

For more information, call For more information, call

Officer Joe Young at 215.686.3122Officer Joe Young at 215.686.3122

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

If you would like to volunteer, please

contact Ms. Marsha Wall at 215.729.2389.

Make a difference in your community!