Connect Outreach

If you know of someone homeless who needs assistance, please call

Connect Homeless Outreach Response Line

Monday through Friday, 7am to 7pm, on the

267-258-1974

Connect, a program of the Mental Health Association of Southeastern PA, is a

Day service center for homeless men and women located at 7200 Chestnut Street

in Upper Darby (the entrance is in the rear of the building).  They offer a safe place

during the day as well as showers, laundry, referral to mental health and substance

abuse services, educational programming and access to overnight shelter with the

partnership of various faith communities in Delaware County. The center is open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. seven days per week.

When you call, please be able to give a basic description of the person you are

concerned about and their name, if you have it.

On Monday through Friday, the staff will respond to your location as soon as they

are able.  Their goal is to respond within an hour, but that goal is dependent upon

what staff they have available at the time of your call.

Unfortunately, due to staffing constraints, they cannot respond to your location on 

Saturday or Sunday.

The staff will engage and assess the person, offer assistance and support, and try to

persuade the person to come into our center for service.  Please understand that they

can persuade people to accompany them, but the staff cannot force them to accept services.     

Fireworks Safety Tips to Ensure a Safe July Fourth

Fireworks on the Fourth of July are as American as apple pie. Carol Cunningham, MD, Emergency Medicine Physician at Akron General Health System urges using common sense when it comes to handling fireworks to celebrate our country's birthday.

On average, about 200 people every day go to the emergency department with fireworks-related injuries around the 4th of July holiday, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). More than half the injuries were burns.

For example, a sparkler can burn at 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit - which is as hot as a blow torch. Almost half (41 percent) of fireworks injuries are to a person's hands, fingers or arms.

One-third (38 percent) of them are to a person's eyes, head, face and ears (CPSC). If fireworks are legal in your community, The American College of Emergency Physicians strongly suggests that you do not use fireworks at your home.

If you do use them, however, these do's and don'ts will help make it a safer experience.

• DO - Have knowledgeable supervision by an experienced adult if you choose to use fireworks.
• DO - Buy fireworks from reputable dealers.
• DO - Read warning labels and follow all instructions.
• DO - Keep a bucket of water or fire extinguisher on hand.
• DO - Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.
• DO - Dispose of all fireworks properly.
• DON'T - Give any fireworks, including sparklers, to small children; older children should be supervised by a responsible adult.
• DON'T - Light fireworks indoors or near other objects.
• DON'T - Place your body over a fireworks device when trying to light the fuse and immediately back up to a safe distance after you light it.
• DON'T - Point or throw fireworks at another person, ever.
• DON'T - Try to re-light or pick up malfunctioning fireworks.
• DON'T - Wear loose clothing while using any fireworks.
• DON'T - Set off fireworks in glass or metal containers - the fragments can cause severe injury.
• DON'T - Carry fireworks in a pocket.

"The safest and only thing you should do is watch a professional fireworks display managed by experts who have proper training and experience handling these explosives," says Dr. Cunningham.

Upper Darby Township will host their annual Fireworks show on July 3 (rain date July 5) at 9:30 PM at Upper Darby High School Memorial Field. Admission is $4.00.  

Community Happenings!

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can provide food assistance to individuals with limited income and resources. Applications can be found at www.benefitschecup.org. For more information on the program, contact the state hotline at 1-800-692-7462 or 1-800-451-5886 (TD).

Do you need help finding food? Contact Philabundance at 1-800-319-3663

June 3, 2015 3:30 pm to 6:00pm Irish Immigration Center of Philadelphia Free Legal Immigration Clinic (Reservation Required); For more information, call 610-789-6355

June 4, 2015 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM The Upper Darby Welcome Center has a Free Legal Immigration Clinic. (Reservation Required). FOr more information call 610-734-7784

SUMMER KICK-OFF 
Upper Darby Municipal Library Presents: Science Tellers Presents Superheroes In this original collection of slightly twisted tales, all the teachers at school are suspected to have superpowers!  join us on a hilarious new adventure where, just like in science, things aren't always quite what they seem.  We will launch things through the air, send them plummeting toward the ground, and even make things trasform and disappear right before your eyes!
Get ready to experience force and reactions through several exciting, hands-on experiments that will have the audience laughing , learning and having fun!  Enjoy this spectaculaar adventure and be swept away to a place where truly "super" heroes really do exist! Contact Charlotte Ryan  610-789-4440 udcsd@delcolibraries.org

Lansdowne Public Library Presents: Summer Reading Challenge
The Library is pleased to partner with The Lansdowne Parks and Recreation Department and The Lansdowne Allied Youth Council to present LIVE entertainment!
Join our kickoff for our Summer Reading Challenge with musical guests Peter Taney and the Juggernauts for an interactive performance!
You can be a part of this musical show!
The show will take place at The Twentieth Century Club located at 84 S Lansdowne Ave, Lansdowne, PA 19050.
Contact: Rachee Fagg   610.623.0239   lacsd@delcolibraries.org  

CHESTER FAMILY SERVICE CENTER SUMMER FEEDING CAMP REGISTRATION Summer Camp begins June 22, 2015 and ends on August 28, 2015 FREE, OPEN ENROLLMENT for children ages 5-12 years. Catholic Social Services Chester Family Service Center, 130 E 7th Street, Chester PA Children 5 years old MUST have completed kindergarten; updated health assessment is due at time of registration. For appointments, call Honor Blackburn-Grant 215-876-7101 or 267-236-2409

ACCESS ADMISSION There is an exciting new initiative from Art-Reach that offers $2 per person admission into all 17 local museums to ACCESS/EBT Cardholders. The Cardholder must present their card and photo ID in order to receive the discount. The admission is valid for up to 3 guest ($2 per guest). The discount is not valid for special exhibitions or features.

CHANGE A LIFE: BECOME A VOLUNTEER LITERACY TUTOR! The Delaware County Literacy Council (DCLC) needs your help to continue its 40-year tradition of changing lives in the community. Become a volunteer tutor and help an adult learner improve their English language skills. Meet twice weekly at mutually convenient times and locations. Ensure a brighter future for someone in need. Our next Adult Basic Educa-tion (ABE) tutor training class will be held on Monday/Wednesday evenings, July 13, 15, 20 and 22, 2015, 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. and Wednesday, August 19, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., at DCLC, 2217 Providence Avenue, Chester, PA 19013. English as a Second Language (ESL) tutor training classes are also available. Pre-registration and attendance at all sessions required. To learn more, visit www.delcoliteracy.org or call Melina at 610-876-4811.