CUTS TO CHILD CARE SUBSIDY
Government budge cuts are not making this recession any easier; especially for Alexandria Wallace who wants to earn a paycheck, but finds it very challenging to find someone to watch her 3 year old child and Ms. Wallace, a 22-year-old single mother that cannot afford child care. Normally State governments have programs to help support parent like these, but since allot of states are slashing programs, trimming support, or failing to keep pace with its rise in demand, people in these situations tend to get overlooked. According to the New York times, “The cuts to subsidized child care challenge the central tenet of the welfare overhaul adopted in 1996, which imposed a five-year lifetime limit on cash assistance.”
PHILLY SPRING CLEAN UP
On Saturday, April 10, 2010, Over 50 volunteers joined the movement at VILLA’s 40th and Lancaster location in an effort to clean up the streets of Philadelphia. Our 52nd Street and Wadsworth Plaza teams also led the volunteer efforts in their respective communities.
HAITI RECOGNITION EVENT - GALLERY
On Monday, April 26, VILLA hosted a celebration at our Gallery location to recognize our partners and stores for raising $14,209 for Haitian Earthquake Relief. VILLA would like to say “THANK YOU!!!” to all of the wonderful customers that made a kind donation to support the victims of the Earthquakes in Haiti.
NORTH HILLS COMMUNITY OUTREACH
With the economy still struggling to rebound, many families continue to operate off of a shoestring budget. Public transportation can be unreliable or some people cannot even get to public transportation. And in some cases, having a lack of transportation can mean fewer job opportunities.
Recently, the merger of two nonprofits, North Hills Community Outreach and Community Auto, will help many families in need purchase a reliable vehicle.
In 2009, the organizations partnered to get cars to 40 low-income families. So far this year, North Hills Community Outreach’s Community Auto Program, as it is now called, has provided eight vehicles. These vehicles are in high demand; therefore, the waiting list is growing tremendously.
Having a reliable vehicle can make a huge difference for a family on a financial budget. Each vehicle comes with a AAA membership, valid Pennsylvania inspection sticker, three-month/3,500-mile warranty, full tank of gas and new car seats for children younger than eight. Community Outreach also advises clients about places to get reliable repairs at affordable prices.
For more information on the North Hills Community Outreach Community Auto program or to donate a vehicle, call 412-487-6316.
VILLA HOLIDAY CLASSIC
On January 3, 2010 at St. Joe’s Hagan Arena, VILLA hosted our third annual basketball event. This year we went bigger with the 4,000 seat arena at St. Joe’s University. The venue change was definitely different because this wasn’t in the heart of the city anymore, but the fans definitely came out for this great event. We had 4 great matchups between some of the East Coast’s best high school basketball teams, and saw a sneak preview of Jayvaughn Pinkston (from New York’s Bishop Loughlin), who will be playing for Villanova later this year. If that wasn’t enough we had some great performances by Philly’s own Meek Mill, and the New Boyz. Shout out to everyone that came through, and for those of you that missed it, you’ll just have to hear about it until next year’s event. You can also watch the buzzer beater from the final game, Strawberry Mansion and North Catholic. Click on the link below:
