Our Delaware Valley Podcast

Kirstin Downie, Director of Development and Communications, and Taylor Kulp, Volunteer and a Partner to Laurel, discussed the mission of Canine Partners For Life, to provide trained service and companion dogs for people with physical or developmental disabilities.   They offer Service dogs, highly trained dogs who follow their partner everywhere, and Companion dogs, who offer emotional support and comfort.   The CP dog training begins as soon as possible, newborns are socialized by volunteers, then live with a volunteer who teaches them the basics and gets the dog used to people and different environments.   Canine Partners then works with six area prisons, employing inmates to provide the constant contact and intense training to develop the dog’s skills; some may be able to help with clothing and doing chores such as retrieving   items, others may be sensitive enough to become Medic Alert companions to help their human partner with seizures, or heart or diabetic crisis’s.  Taylor talked about her journey to meeting Laurel, with a five year wait before getting matched, she became a volunteer to help with the dogs. Taylor described her needs and how Laurel is able to help her with laundry, get her a bottle of water from the fridge, help her stay steady as she walks and performing many more everyday acts that give her an independence she didn’t think possible.  

Their services are free, supported by donations and grants, with training for each dog at over $32,000.  Learn more at their annual Fall Festival September 17th from Noon to 4 at their Cochranville training facility.  There will be food and entertainment, dog demonstrations and tours, as well as Cow BINGO, buy a random square on the field and if it’s ‘marked’ you can win the big cash prize.    

For Fall Festival details and to learn more about the programs, to make a donation, to volunteer or request a dog go to K94life.org.  

Follow them on social media @caninepartnersfor life

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Aimee B. Prange, MSW, LCSW, a Sr. Clinical Manager and Strategic Planner, and Volunteer for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Greater Philadelphia Chapter discussed their mission and goals, to increase awareness of mental health and prevent deaths by suicide.  We began with a discussion of the numbers, while deaths have decreased in some populations more younger people are now affected by suicide.  She described their outreach programs aimed at youth and children, including peer support and programs for educators and youth leaders for high school and elementary schools.   We spoke of a recent success, the new 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, a free nationwide hotline.  Long authorized, it lagged for funding and local coordination, the Biden-Harris Administration increased federal investments in the 988 lifeline from $24 million to $432 million -- to scale up crisis centers and back-up center capacity, and to provide special services, including a sub-network for Spanish language speakers.  She notes it’s more than a number, 988 is a message: we’re there for you with a trained responder available to talk and refer people in crisis or just wanting help for a friend or loved one.  Finally, she offered an invitation to join their mission at the 2022 Greater Philadelphia Chapter’s Out of the Darkness Walk on Sunday October 2nd at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.    All are invited, as an individual, a member of a team or as a volunteer.   For more information about the Philadelphia Chapter, to find the chapter closest to you, or to learn more about the region’s services and other events go to AFSP.org

To sign up for the October 2 Philadelphia Out of the Darkness Walk go to AFSP.org/PHILLYwalk

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Jason Plaia, Director of Development for the American Cancer Society (ACS) of Greater Philadelphia, South Jersey and Delaware; Morgan Robinson, Associate Director of Development Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and a Team Leader in the Greater Philadelphia Walk, and Dr. Curtis Miyamoto, Chairperson of Radiation Oncology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University and Associate Director for Clinical Services, Fox Chase Cancer Center at Temple University Hospital, ACS Greater Philadelphia Board of Directors Member and Real Men Wear Pink Ambassador discussed breast cancer and the services and research funding provided by the ACS.

To learn more about the American Cancer Society, its tips and screening recommendations, research funding and local services go to CANCER.org.  For 24 hour support, call 800-227-2345.

There are three Making Strides walks scheduled for Delaware, Philadelphia and South Jersey, as well at locations across the region, to find a walk nearest you and learn how you can become involved, visit MakingStridesWalk.org.

To learn more about Real Men Wear Pink and support their efforts visit realmenwearpinkacs.org.

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Danielle DiLeo Kim, Executive Director of Philadelphia 250, discussed our city’s plans for the nation’s Semiquincentennial  Celebration – 2026, our 250th birthday.  Designated the Premiere Official Host City, Philadelphia will see programs and events throughout the entire year.  She discussed the mission of Philadelphia 250, “By the People, For ALL People” and its four pillars:
Shared Prosperity, People’s Histories, Revolutionary Actions and the Pursuit of Happiness.   Her team is working with area institutions such as our museums, cultural centers and neighborhood groups to create awareness of our unique history and communities.  Adding to the excitement of 2026,  Philly will host both the FIFA World Cup games and the MLB All-Star Game, and special exhibits at many of the city’s museums like the Museum of the American Revolution, Please Touch Museum and more.   All are encouraged to adopt on of their pillars as a base for their 2026 programming, such as Fairmount Parks and the ‘pursuit of happiness.’  She noted that, unlike the Bicentennial, their plans include neighborhood events and festivities to foster their goals for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility and to leave behind an economic improvement.    

She described two projects already underway, Dare to Declare, getting local residents to make a statement about their experiences beginning this fall,  and the Legacy Grants, awarding funds to area non-profits who will create lasting work toward strengthening Philadelphia neighborhoods and ultimately serve as the city’s legacy for the 250th.    Nominees include Why Not Prosper, Inc. helping formerly incarcerated women create change for themselves and other women, their families and the community, the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia which wants to create a city bike hub and biking paths in green spaces in underinvested communities in North and Northeast Philadelphia, Ref Feather’s Legacy, looking to build the area’s first museum and center recognizing and promoting the culture of Native American/Indigenous people and 
the Philadelphia Music Alliance looking to create a ‘Heritage Trail’ to recognize Philadelphia’s great music history, The winners will be announced in December. 

The Semiquincentennial  Celebration will ‘start’ at Carpenter’s Hall in 2024 when they celebrate the cration of the Continental Congress, but Ms DiLeo-Kim offers way for us to get involved now, they are looking for volunteers to help us with research, events, staffing and more, and of course, donations! Donation levels start at $20.26 that help support our organization and mission. 

Learn more about their programs, events and how to be part of the planning at philadelphia250.us. 

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Global Philadelphia Executive Director Zabeth Teelucksingh spoke on the organization founded to assist
—    and to encourage greater interaction among —
the many organizations, businesses and people engaged in international activity in the Greater Philadelphia Region, to develop an international awareness within the region, and to enhance the region’s global profile. 
Global Philadelphia is a membership association, a chamber with hundreds of cultural organizations and multi-country companies belonging.   
They work to educate us on economic development and to educate us – young and old – on the many community cultures, the arts, diplomatic affairs and heritage.  Their own initiatives include a heritage map of Philadelphia featuring our World Heritage site – Independence Hall, and the many, many Historic landmarks in the area.  She points out that only New York has more!   Working with Mural Arts, they are partnering with local non-profits to create murals that reflect the 17 sustainable development goals of the United Nations by 2026, as part of the Philadelphia 250 celebration of the US semi-quin-centennial.  They also produce a newsletter and calendar listings of the Philadelphia area international events taking place.  

Global Philadelphia.Org   
Follow them on social media, on Instagram  -  @Globalphiladelphia 

Twitter @Globalphila  and Facebook GlobalPhiladelphiaAssociation 

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Dennis Carradin, Founder and CEO of The Trauma Survivor Foundation returned to offer an update on their work, giving survivors of traumatic events access to a network of trained trauma therapists. We talked about his experiences that led to TSF, a chance encounter with a donut shop clerk who revealed her PTSD and lack of funds for help, and his work with the families and survivors of a school shooting. He realized that many lacked ‘follow up,’ they were left to navigate mental health resources on their own.
Since the beginning of the Foundation over 30,000 survivors of various traumatic events: mass shootings, natural disasters, line of duty deaths, motor vehicle collisions, sexual abuse or assault, physical abuse or assault, accidents, illnesses, witness to violence and others were helped through crisis intervention by over 2,500 trained trauma therapists and crisis interventionists participating.

Mr Carradin also discussed ways of preventing stress, through therapy, peer interaction and open discussion and recognition of traumas causes. He notes a friend’s sympathetic ear can help, it’s building a support team to help you deal with your experiences.
We discussed the ongoing Hospital Heroes Food Drive, so far providing over 30,000 meals delivered to nurses, doctors, EMS and first responders. They have partnered with hundreds of restaurants to deliver the meals across the region, and are looking for individual and business support to keep the program running.

Finally, we talked about an easy, fun way to support their work, the 2022 Delaware Beer Fest! It’s October 1 in the Figure 8 Barn on the grounds of magnificent Bellevue State Park. You’ll enjoy over a hundred Beer selections from over 70 Breweries.  There will also be food trucks, games and activities and…  more beer. Tickets are now on sale at delawarebeerfest.com

Learn more at TraumaSurvivorsFoundation.org and HospitalHeroesFoodDrive.org

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Global Philadelphia Executive Director Zabeth Teelucksingh spoke on the organization founded to assist - and to encourage greater interaction among -
the many organizations, businesses and people engaged in international activity in the Greater Philadelphia Region, to develop an international awareness within the region, and to enhance the region’s global profile. 

Global Philadelphia is a membership association, a chamber with hundreds of cultural organizations and multi-country companies belonging.   
They work to educate us on economic development and to educate us – young and old – on the many community cultures, the arts, diplomatic affairs and heritage.  Their own initiatives include a heritage map of Philadelphia featuring our World Heritage site – Independence Hall, and the many, many Historic landmarks in the area.  She points out that only New York has more!   Working with Mural Arts, they are partnering with local non-profits to create murals that reflect the 17 sustainable development goals of the World Heritage organization by 2026, as part of the Philadelphia 250 celebration of the US semi-quin-centennial.  They also produce a newsletter and calendar listings of the Philadelphia area international events taking place.  

Global Philadelphia .Org   
Follow them on social media, on Instagram  -  @Globalphiladelphia 

Twitter @Globalphila   and Facebook GlobalPhiladelphiaAssociation 

David Morris, Executive Director of the American Heart and Stroke Association DE, and your host, Lora Lewis, share heart health details to stress the importance of knowledge and prevention.  Up to 80% of acute cardiovascular disease can be prevented and knowing your numbers and the signs and symptoms of heart attack and stroke can save your life.  For David, managing his hidden hypertension keeps him healthy, while Lora learned that her good health habits and knowing those warning signs likely prevented a life-threatening stroke by aneurysm.  For more information, health tips, recipes and exercise downloads, CPR classes, volunteer opportunities and more go to HEART.org.

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Corinne O’Connell, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia discussed their work in providing homeownership to families who otherwise could not afford or qualify for a mortgage.  We discussed the housing crisis in Philadelphia, a city with a large stock of aging and vacant homes, many without a clear title to allow for repair loans or transfer. Habitat looks for properties it can purchase, rehab and sell to program participants at a cost-per-month that doesn’t exceed 30% of their monthly income.  The new homeowners are screened and go through a vigorous program of budgeting, community leadership and home maintenance classes before receiving the keys.  Ms O’Connell also spoke of their other mission, building stronger communities.  Habitat looks for neighborhoods where the community is already invested, strong neighborhood or community planning associations and economic buy-in.  In addition to the homes built or rehabbed and sold, Habitat works with local residents to repair existing homes, roofing and exterior work, plumbing, electrical and other interior jobs, to help that family retain their home and its equity.   

Habitat runs on donations and volunteers! Whether it’s helping on a construction or repair site as an individual or business, donating building materials and household goods -
or buying them at a deep discount – at the ReStore, there is a way to support Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia. 

To learn more or the begin the application to receive repairs or purchase a home yourself, go to HabitatPhiladelphia.org           

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Malik Gray, Health Program Analyst Supervisor: Education and Training Unit with the City of Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS), discussed the city's efforts to match residents with mental health care and support. As part of their initiative they offer Mental Health First Aid, an 8-hour virtual course that teaches a 5-step action plan to recognize warning signs of a mental health or substance use challenge, provide help in crisis and non-crisis situations and understand where to go for additional support.   The 5-step plan, ALGEE, is Assess for risk of suicide or harm, Listen non-judgmentally, Give reassurance and info, Encourage professional help and Encourage self-help and other support strategies.  The course is offered to anyone living, working or spending time in Philadelphia.  For more information go to HealthyMindsPhilly.org or their department website at DBHIDS.org.

Follow them on social media @DBHIDS

If you are not in the Delaware Valley you can find the class and other resoucres at MentalHealthFirstAid.org

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