ICYMI: PHILADELPHIA

WITH SO MUCH GOING ON IN THE NEWS, YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED SOME LOCAL STORIES THAT AFFECT OUR COMMUNITIES DIRECTLY. HERE, BROKE IN PHILLY BREAKS DOWN CURRENT POLICIES AND STORIES AFFECTING PHILADELPHIANS.

CHANGING HOW WE ADDRESS POVERTY IN PHILADELPHIA

Full story by Jensen Toussaint, AL DiA News.

Yvette Núñez, vice president of civic affairs at the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, serves as a representative voice in changing the conversation surrounding the topic of poverty. Growing up in a row-home in a now imploded housing project in Newark, NJ, she has not only noticed the poverty, but also how alcoholism, drug addiction and incarceration impacted those close to her.

She is creating a Roadmap for the Chamber’s growth action team, which is focusing on revitalizing neighborhoods, creating jobs, and developing Philly’s workforce. Her biggest message is that “we always talk about poor people, but not with poor people.” She is striving to not just thoughtlessly provide resources like food, clothing, and shelter, but actually get to the root of the problem by having community members in the room. CITY COUNCILWOMAN KENDRA BROOKS CALLS FOR HEARINGS ON RENT CONTROL

Full article by Jake Blumgart, WHYY.org.

On her first day, City Council member, Kendra Brooks, introduced a resolution calling for hearings on rent regulations. Brooks believes that everyone from janitors to teachers to owners of corporations, should be able to afford to live in Philadelphia. It is clear that Brooks is intent on pursuing policy ideas that were not being taken seriously just a few years ago when Councilmember Helen Gym was the only one speaking up about these issues. She noted in her resolution that currently over half of Philly’s renters are cost-burdened and spend over a third of their income on rent. The business community hasn’t welcomed her statements with open arms, though they admitted that they are aware that low-income renters need more aid. Brooks says that she understands the complicated nature of her resolution, but believes that we cannot wait on these issues.

WHAT COMES NEXT FOR PHILADELPHIA'S DOMESTIC WORKERS?

Full article by Emily Neil, AL DiA News.

As part of the Pennsylvania Domestic Workers Alliance, three domestic workers combined forces with Councilwoman María Quiñones-Sánchez and other Councilmembers to pass protections for more than 1,600 nannies, housekeepers and caretakers. Once Mayor Jim Kenney signed the bill into law in November, Philly joined nine states as well as the city of Seattle in passing similar labor protections for domestic workers. This legislation will take effect in May of 2020, and it has been recognized by many to be the strongest in the nation. These protections include mandatory meal and rest breaks, anti-discrimination laws, a nine-person board to monitor standards and implementation, and establishing a paid time off system. CLEANING AND GREENING HUNTING PARK TO HEAL TRAUMA

Full article by Brianna Baker, Green Philly.

After a traumatic experience, Jose Ferran Jr. fights tirelessly to make Hunting Park cleaner and greener, as well as healthier and kinder. His guiding principle: sustainability and mental health interventions are more connected than you might think.

Ferran knows trauma all too well. In 2011, he was shot in the shoulder during a fight. Now, he works for several organizations and campaigns that help people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Though the shooting was the most traumatic experience of Ferran’s life, it was also a turning point — a turning point for the better.

FROM INCARCERATION TO BARBER

Full article by Michaela Winberg, BillyPenn.com.

To Norristown native Ron Curtis, good hair is about more than good looks. After four years in prison, and a few more in rehab, he used Barbary as a springboard to lift himself into a successful, flourishing career.

Now, he wants to help other people do the same.

In late January, he launches Final Touch Barber Academy at 9th and Spring Garden. Set in a former row-home, the school is on a strip that’s bursting with revitalized retail: breweries, restaurants and apartments have all opened there over the past few years.

Once they get started, the students will spend nine months learning all the info they’ll need to take Pennsylvania’s barber certification exam. A passing grade will earn them the license required to work as a barber in the state.

#ICYMI was created by Broke in Philly, a collaborative news initiative among 22 local news organizations to provide in-depth, nuanced, and solutions-oriented reporting on the issues of poverty and the push for economic justice in Philadelphia. This effort is led by Resolve Philadelphia, a new hub for the city’s general interest, community and ethnic news organizations to produce collaborative solutions reporting and community engagement activities that address urgent social challenges. For more details, visit: brokeinphilly.org.