Poster Contest

Crozer-Keystone and Philadelphia Union Create Delaware County Poster Contest

Through Kicks for Kids Program

March 28, 2014 (Chester, Pa) – Crozer-Keystone Health System and the Philadelphia Union have created a Delaware County poster contest for local students to demonstrate their artistic skills and win tickets for the New England Revolution vs. Philadelphia Union soccer game at PPL Park on May 17. A total of 50 tickets will be awarded by Crozer-Keystone to 13 talented students and their families, through the Philadelphia Union’s Kicks for Kids program.   

This contest is open to all Delaware County students between the ages of 7 to 12, as of May 17. The students will be judged in three age divisions (7-8, 9-10, 11-12), and are asked to create a poster with the theme of “Soccer, Health and Community.” Posters can not be larger than 18” X 24” and only markers, pens, crayons and/or pencils are to be used. All completed posters should have a label placed in the lower right hand corner with the child’s name, child’s gender, age as of May 17, school, parent’s name(s), and contact phone number.

All posters should be dropped off in the main lobby of the Crozer Medical Plaza at Brinton Lake, 300 Evergreen Drive, Glen Mills, Pa, between March 28 and April 25, in a bin marked “Delaware County Poster Contest.” The Medical Plaza is open Monday to Thursday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed Saturday and Sunday. If you are unable to drop off the poster at the Crozer Medical Plaza, you may scan the poster to ckhspublicrelations@crozer.org.

During the week of April 28, Crozer-Keystone will determine the 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th place winners for each of the three age divisions plus one honorable mention student.  A parent for each of the thirteen students will be contacted and arrangements will be made to provide four tickets to the May 17 game for each winner, and two tickets for the honorable mention student. The winning artwork along with the names of the students will be posted on the social media sites and websites for both Crozer-Keystone and the Philadelphia Union during the month of May.

  

Kicks for Kids is a national marketing platform through Major League Soccer that enables teams to develop community outreach programs with corporate partners. The Philadelphia Union launched this program in 2014 with Crozer-Keystone as the first corporate partner. In addition to the Delaware County poster contest winners, Crozer-Keystone has agreed to donate additional 2014 Philadelphia Union tickets for local organizations that include: Soccer for Success, Boys & Girls Club of Chester, Wellness Center at Community Hospital, Unionville Recreational Association, Drexel Hill Raiders, and Kids Asthma Management Program.

For more information on the community service programs available through the Philadelphia Union, visit www.philadelphiaunion.com. For more information on Crozer-Keystone Health System, visit www.crozerkeystone.org.  

Pro Bono Citizenship Day, March 29, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

To:                  Press and Media Outlets

From:              Michelle Kobler, Esq. on behalf of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) - Philadelphia Chapter-mkobler@klaskolaw.com, 215-825-8606

Date:              

Re:                  Pro Bono Citizenship Day – March 29, 2014

Helping Our Community Members Become U.S. Citizens:

Pro Bono Citizenship Day on Saturday, March 29, 2014

For more than 200 years, America has remained strong because of its diverse citizenship and the common civic values we share.  Pro Bono Citizenship Day is a national initiative convened by the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and local partner organizations. In Philadelphia, the partnership groups are holding the event on Saturday, March 29^th, earlier than the national event scheduled for April 26^th to increase law student participation.  During the day, eligible low income permanent residents (green card holders) will receive free assistance and legal representation in applying for U.S. citizenship.  This year, Philadelphia AILA is partnering with the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant and Multicultural Affairs and other numerous community organizations and bar associations to offer Pro Bono Citizenship Day in two sites in Philadelphia and in Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and York counties.  Co-sponsored by more than a dozen local organizations throughout the region, Pro Bono Citizenship Day has broad support in the communities of eastern Pennsylvania. 

“Pro Bono Citizenship Day is an important part of our Administration’s efforts to promote the benefits of citizenship on a year-round basis.  It is estimated that in Philadelphia today, there are 50,000 residents who are eligible to become naturalized citizens, but don’t follow through due to financial or other hardships,” said Mayor Michael A. Nutter.  “Pro Bono Citizenship Day, with the help of local lawyers, law firms, universities, individuals and the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant and Multicultural Affairs, will help Philadelphia’s aspiring citizens to achieve their dream.  I want to thank the American Immigration Lawyers Association and its partners for organizing this exciting opportunity.”

 

The Pro Bono Citizenship Day lead-up activities begin in mid- March. Immigration attorneys from the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) will present Citizenship Information Sessions at local community organization sites (details provided on following page), and encourage all interested green card holders to attend.   The presenters will explain the U.S. citizenship process and assess an individual’s eligibility for citizenship.  In general, those who have had their “green cards” for 5 years (or 3 years if they are married to U.S. citizens) who can speak, read and write English, are eligible to apply for citizenship.  At the information sessions individuals learn if they meet the eligibility requirements and then schedule an appointment for assistance on Pro Bono Citizenship Day:  Saturday, March 29, 2014.

Pro Bono Citizenship Day will be staffed by volunteer attorneys, legal assistants, interpreters and other community members who have completed AILA-led trainings on the laws and process of obtaining U.S. citizenship. The volunteer teams will guide eligible permanent residents through the application for naturalization and represent them in the process.  Pro Bono Citizenship Day assistance is offered at no cost*, and therefore is aimed at eligible low-income permanent residents who would not otherwise be able to afford legal assistance with the application process. In addition to application assistance, this year we will offer assistance in applying for a waiver of the application fee.

Becoming a U.S. citizen is a win-win for immigrants and the communities they live in.  New citizens gain voting rights, personal and family security, and job opportunities.  In turn, they help keep America strong and vibrant by contributing their voices to the civic dialogue, their efforts and initiatives to growing and innovating our economy, and their dedication to the American ideals of freedom and democracy.  In early May 2014, the naturalization application form required for submission will dramatically change, so all interested applicants are encouraged to attend this year to avoid a lengthier form.

* $10 is requested to cover the cost of certified mailing

Sponsors:  Pro Bono Citizenship Day is a collaborative community-wide project, sponsored by the American Immigration Lawyers Association – Philadelphia Chapter, African Family Health Organization, Asian Pacific American Bar Association-PA, Barrister’s Association of Philadelphia, Brandeis Law Society, Christian Legal Clinics of Philadelphia, Church World Service, Lancaster, Esperanza Immigration Legal Services, HIAS Pennsylvania, Keystone Opportunities Center and the Lansdale Public Library, Mayor’s Office on Immigrant and Multicultural Affairs (MOIMA), Multicultural Community Family Services of Upper Darby, Nationalities Service Center, Pennsylvania Bar Immigration Committee, Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition , Philadelphia VIP, Pennsylvania Immigration Resource Center, and the Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians. More organizations are joining every day.

Information Sessions:  Citizenship Information Sessions will cover three topics:

1.       Explanation of the U.S. citizenship application process and eligibility criteria

2.       Individual screening for eligibility

3.       Appointment scheduling and review of supporting documents required for March 29

The Citizenship Information Sessions and screenings will be conducted in English.  Interested applicants who need language assistance are asked to bring their own reliable interpreter.

Citizenship Information and Application Assistance Sessions will be held at locations throughout Eastern Pennsylvania:

Chester County                   Monday, March 10, 5:30pm            St. Rocco Center

9016 Gap Newport Pike

Avondale, PA 19311

Return to same site for Citizenship Day, March 29th

Delaware County               Saturday, March 22, 12pm              Multicultural Community Family Services

                                                                                                                7016 Terminal Square

Upper Darby, PA  19082   

484-461-8660

Return to same site for Citizenship Day, March 29th

                               

Montgomery County         Tuesday, March 18, 6pm                 Trinity Church*

1000 W. Main Street

Lansdale, PA 19446

215-368-1710

*Sponsored by Keystone Opportunity Center

Go to different site for Citizenship Day, March 29th

Lansdale Library

301 Vine St, Lansdale, PA 19446

Philadelphia #1                  Wednesday, March 19, 6pm            Esperanza

                                                                                                                4261 North 5th Street

Philadelphia, PA 19140

Return to same site for Citizenship Day, March 29th              

Philadelphia #2                  Thursday, March 20, 6pm               Nationalities Service Center

                                                                                                                1216 Arch Street, 4^th Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19107

Return to same site for Citizenship Day, March 29th              

Philadelphia #3                  Sunday, March 23, 1pm                   First Haitian Church of God of Prophecy

                                                                                                                2061 E. Chelten Avenue

Philadelphia, PA 19138

Go to different sites for Citizenship Day, March 29th

Nationalities Service Center or Esperanza

               

York County                        Saturday, March 22, 11am              Martin Library

                                                                                                                159 E. Market Street

York, PA  17401 

Return to same site for Citizenship Day, March 29th

                                                                                                               

Interested attorneys:   Attorneys from all practice areas are being recruited to offer pro bono service.  Training, CLE credit and on-site support will be provided. Interested attorneys should attend an informational training session, and sign up by contacting:

Lourena Gboeah                                                                                 Michelle Kobler

lgboeah@HIASPA.org                                                       mkobler@klaskolaw.com

215-832-0913* Wed- Friday only                                       215-825-8606

Judith Bernstein-Baker, Esq.

jbernsteinbaker@hiaspa.org

215-832-0900

Get Covered, America

The cost of healthcare is on a steady rise, and until recently, many went without because they couldn’t handle fitting it into their budget. The uninsured spent years were spent avoiding doctors, letting illnesses get out of hand. What could have been an easy remedy to a simple problem becomes a debilitating because it was not assessed by a doctor. Pregnant mothers went without proper care, and college students started their adult life after graduation facing fear of medical bills.

With the birth of the Affordable Care Act, the uninsured found their sigh of relief. Now, healthcare is affordable for all. People like Mary from Texas, who went without medical insurance for over a decade and faced health consequences as a result, could finally see a doctor to address her medical needs. Health can finally become a priority again!

Under the new healthcare plans, people with preexisting conditions can no longer be denied coverage or charged more for having an illness or pre-existing condition, such as asthma, depression, even cancer. Many basics are covered under the new plans, including free preventive care, prescription coverage, mental health services, emergency services and hospitalizations, maternity care, as well as infant and children’s care. This is great news!

Despite the now accessible and affordable healthcare, 81% of people  do not realize that the open enrollment period ends this month, on March 31. After this period closes, people will incur fees for being uninsured. Let’s avoid that! With 1 in 6 Americans not having health insurance, it’s time to spread the word and help people get covered!

A great resource is the Get Covered America website. Here, people can find local help to get enrolled, calculators to estimate what coverage may cost, as well as answers to any questions one might have about the process.

It’s time we start taking care of ourselves and those in our community!  Make sure everyone knows that new healthcare open enrollment ends on March 31, 2014. Find more information at GetCoveredAmerica.org