Our Delaware Valley Podcast

Edward Lafferty, Public Affairs Specialist for the Social Security Administration discussed the agency and its continued operations during the government shutdown and things to consider in the new year, including a review of personal finances.  We first discussed important upcoming dates for registering for Medicare, the enrollment window ends in March for those eligible, without a significant life-change, the window closes until next January.  He reminded us to open a My Social Security account to track our benefits and to make sure the data is correct.  He noted additional benefits to the account, you can use it to order replacement cards and to contact the agency with issues.  We reviewed important ages, partial benefits at 62 and full at a sliding number depending on the year you were born.  He noted that if you take benefits early your total monthly payment will forever be reduced, even after you reach your full retirement age, so avoid claiming benefits for as long as possible.  We discussed fraud and he warned us that the SSA will not contact you by phone unless you are already involved in a conversation, be careful with your personal information and know that you will never be contacted by phone or email if you are in a dispute with the agency.  He reminded us that spoof pros will have return email addresses and area codes to look local.  We discussed who is eligible for benefits, anyone who worked for a minimum of 40 credits, survivors of beneficiaries or disabled dependents.   We also spoke on who CANNOT receive benefits, including undocumented or illegal immigrants, despite public assumptions.  He noted however, that many Green Card workers pay into the system, as do some undocumented workers, and never claim their earned benefits.  Finally, a story from the Social Security history files, this time about a wallet manufacturer in the early '30s who included a mock Social Security Card to show where you could keep this new item.   Unfortunately they used the manufacturer's secretary's personal number on the cards and many buyers thought that was their card!  Ed told us that the number was still being used in the 1970s!

Visit the Social Security Administration online at SSA.gov or call them at 800-772-1213.  If you suspect fraud, toward you or a oved one or friend, contact the Inspector General's office at 800-269-0271.

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Martha Lucy, Deputy Director for Research, Interpretation, and Education for The Barnes Foundation, discussed the world renowned  museum and art education center.  She told about Dr. Albert Barnes, a medical inventor and a self-made millionaire by age 30, and his interest in art that became a passion to educate others, especially those with little access to great works.  She spoke on how he developed his ‘method,’ an art appreciation that creates ensembles of painting, sculpture, furniture and everyday objects to show the context of a piece.   Martha discussed his collection, begun with artists unknown at the time or artists who were not yet appreciated, and growing to the single largest collection of Renoirs, a vast number of Cezanne and important pieces by Picasso, Modigliani, Berthe Morisot – now featured in a special exhibit - and more.  She gave us a We talked about the move to the Parkway and how it allowed for special exhibits, more visitors, more classes and more programming, including lectures and films, supporting the collection.  She described the classes, from ‘appreciation’ to college-credit courses, who should take them and the scholarships available.   She noted that low income residents can see the collections and attend classes at reduced rates or even free.  She also discussed the Foundation’s school outreach programming, in keeping with Dr. Barnes’ mission students can return to the collection with a parent.

BARNESFOUNDATION.ORG

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This Sunday, Jacky Bam Bam, WMMR Nights/Uptown String Band; Mike "Crash Riddle - Aqua String Band; And, Trish Donohue & Tim Fagan of Duffy String Band were on Our Delaware Valley to talk about The Mummer's Parade 2019. This annual Philadelphia tradition is a blast and a rich part of Philadelphia's storied history. Thank you for listening,

Markus Goldman

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James Cuorato, CEO of The Independence Visitor Center Corporation, discussed Philadelphia’s unique tourist asset, the IVCC.   A combined effort of the City of Philadelphia, the two tourist boards, Visit Philly and the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Center coordinates tourism for local attractions, including Historic Philadelphia properties and National Parks sites.  The center, located at 6th & Market Street, on the Independence Mall, and he discussed the unique relationship it has with the federal agency, overseeing the visits to Independence Hall.  He described the vibrant and important tourist industry to the city, not just filling hotel rooms and restaurants, but also providing jobs for other service providers including cabs, tour groups, bus drivers and more.  Jim discussed the region and how they offer tourism assistance for Center City, the historic sites and the museums of the Parkway, but also attractions and events in the surrounding counties, from Valley Forge through Sesame Place and beyond.  He touched on partnerships with the different organizations and city support, including SEPTA.  He spoke on the holiday offerings, including new ones at City Hall’s Dilworth Plaza and new attractions linking the different hot spots.   He wrapped with suggestions for visiting Philadelphia over the holidays, including parking, the use of the Center’s own PHLASH bus with special discounts and free rides, special events at the various parks and leading up the New Year’s Mummers Parade.   

Independence Visitor Center

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City of Philadelphia Commision of Records, James Leonard, discussed the city's Archives and its recent move to new facilities.  He described the mission of the department, to maintain a record of the city's transactions and spoke of the collection's holdings which range from a 300 year+ William Penn city charter through recent land transactions. 

Since its establishment by the Home Rule Charter in 1952 the City Archives has been a resource for students, geneologists (their biggest users)  and writers and it tells us much about life in the the city,  with records of the Alms House and Philadelphia General Hospital, of the County Prisons, and of the City and County criminal courts.  He spoke on the valiue of using the staff to help with a search, noting that they can suggest records the average person wouldn't know about, tax records and land recordings, 'indentures' and event the water department rolls, all of which can help iddentify an early Philadelphian.  Health Department records show how the city tried to control disease.  He also discussed the controversial - and anonymous - 'red line' map, a document showing the racial make-up of the neighborhoods and the city's early efforts to ensure fair housing and civil rights.  Jim discussed the tasks and work leading up to the move and the advantages of the new facilities: temperature and humidity control, display areas, increased storage, and more room for research.  He also described the selection and installation of the required public art piece, the wallpaper mural 'Resistance' depicting unfair housing and sites of racial discrimination, along with sites of importance to the struggle for freedom and equality.    

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Major Willie Mae Lyle, Divisional Secretary for The Salvation Army Greater Philadelphia, Susan Brotherton, Director of Social Services for Greater Philadelphia, and Phil Pagliaro

Divisional Director, Marketing & Organizational Advancement

The Salvation Army, Eastern Pennsylvania & Delaware Division, discussed the Salvation Army’s holistic approach to providing for the needs of the whole individual – physically, emotionally, economically and spiritually how this holistic approach helps families.   The Salvation Army operated through 16 community centers and residential facilities throughout the Philadelphia region, providing emergency and transitional shelter, disaster relief, hot meals, counseling, early childhood development, recreational opportunities, music programs, after-school arts and educational programs, job training, activities for older adults, spiritual development, drug rehabilitation and more.  Major Lyle spoke of her experiences growing up poor and how the Salvation Army fed her family and offered her things to do to help build her character.  She discussed their goal to lift families out of poverty and into self-sufficiency.   She also spoke about their disaster relief efforts, calling the Army, ‘Minute Men’ – they’re there in a minute to help with hurricanes, floods or fire.    Susan discussed the trauma facing the residents of the Frankfort area, dealing with some of the highest poverty and addition rates in the region.  She reminds us that Philadelphia has the highest poverty of the major cities and hunger is increasing here while dropping across the country.  She spoke of ACEs, Adverse Childhood Experiences and their work to counter them.  She also discussed human trafficking and their shelter and drop in center for women, to help them escape this and other dangers.   Paul reminded us that the Red Kettle Drive every holiday helps support these programs, as well as after school homework help, basketball and music lessons, senior centers and the annual summer camp. 

pa.salvationarmy.org

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Carol Glazer, President of the National Organization on Disability (NOD) spoke about employment opportunities - and barriers - facing the one in five Americans who have some type of protected disability.  The number - 57 million - includes any potential worker with any condition that affects his or her mental health, neurological or physical health, persons with depression, hearing loss, cancer, asthma or allergies could benefit from workplace protections.   Carol addressed the barriers that the environment and employers can place on the disabled, bus routes and public transportation that is not convenient or frequent enough, missing ramps on curbing and other environmental factors, and dispelled the myths that employers fall into, that disabled workers are less productive, more likely to call out, that they need costly accommodations.  We discussed the stigma of claiming a disability or asking for accommodations and the fear of being labeled disabled for future employment or possibly insurance reasons.  Carol notes that 20% to 40% of the disabled population are underemployed and benefits only take them to bare maintenance level, real, living-wage jobs are needed.   She discussed how NOD works to educated employers on the benefits of hiring from this large talent pool, working with the disabled before they enter the job market and their advocacy work to maintain safety nets, increase accessibility and prevent discrimination.

NOD.org

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Charlie Forshee, Deputy Executive Director of the Veterans Multi-Service Center, Jerry Flanagan, founder and CEO JDog Junk Removal & Hauling, and Alex Archawski, founder of the Greater Philadelphia Veterans Network, discussing vet employment, the myths and the facts. They discussed the obstacles vets face when entering the civilian job market, a lack of career objectives and an institutionalized focus on following orders; and the advantages they bring to a job, commitment and the need to do their best.  Alex discussed the need for vets to find their passion for a career, not a 'job,' 65% of vets leave their first post-military job within two years.  Charlie spoke about the Multi-Service Center's job training programs and the myth of troubled vet, he notes that many issues returning vet present are problems that probably pre-dated their service.  Jerry spoke on vet entrepreneurship and his own success in starting JDog, franchises owned and operated by vets with vet employees.  They talked about the upcoming Vet Shark Tank, December 3 at the Union League, where vets from across the country will pitch their business plans for funding.  Jerry discussed the need for his organization, creating networks of employers and vets and teaching businesses how to look at a vet resume to find a great employee.

Veterans Multi Service Center

JDog Junk Removal & Hauling

Greater Philadelphia Veterans Network

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Amy Needle, President of Historic Philadelphia, discussed history as a tourism booster and a fun family activity.  She spoke on the vision of former Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell, to create destination points out of the city's historic assets. Historic Philadelphia manages the Betsy Ross House, 13 story-telling benches throughout the old city district, tours of the Independence Hall through partnership with the National Park Service, and the nearly-abandoned Franklin Square.  For the latter Historic Philadelphia raised funds to refurnbish the park, restoring the fountain, adding lights, a carousel, a restaurant and a miniature golf course featuring Philadelphia landmarks.  Since the park's restoration it has become a destination for events such as the Chinese Lantern Festival and the fall Pumpkin Patch, but also neighborhood enjoyment.  Amy spoke about the new campaign to completely restore the fountain and add a lights and water disply, part of a capital improvement project.  She discussed the use of  the Betsy Ross house for educational as well as fun events and how the Once Upon a Nation storytellers link the site toghter and prompt inquiry into the lesser known early Philadelphians, including women and people of color.  Finally a conversation about this year's holiday evebtns, including the 'Tippler's Tours' and Betsy Ross Birthday Party, plus the Holiday Festival events at Franklin Square, the daily Electrical Spectacle Light Show, the Lightening Bolt Express Train, the Winter Beer Garden, Friday celebrations of Hanukkah, and Kwanza, Santa Saturdays, and 'Seasonal Soundsa' Sundays.  Many events are free or involve a small cost to cover food or crafting materials. Finally, every year they celebrate the New Year with families fr the the 6pm fireworks displays.    

For information about any of the annual - and year-round events and activities sponsored by Historic Philadelphia visit HistoricPhiladelphia.org.

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Sue Daugherty, RD, LDN, CEO of Manna, discussed the agency, providing food as medicine to people with life-threatening illness.  Started as a 'buddy' program that offered visitation and food for people with HIV or AIDS, it evolved as treatment allowed these pateints to live an active, longer life.   MANNA began to offer its services to people with cancer, renal failure or heart conditions, calling themselves the 'pharmacy; for your prescriptive diet.  MANNA offers 11 different diets, addressing low sodium, high calorie, low fat, no potassium, and other diietary restrictions.  Sue noted that pateints are often released from the hospital  with a strict diet - one they cannot - even if healthy - produce on their own. She also noted that people with chronic illness are among the poorest, and getting proper nitrition to improve health and prevent additional care is expensive.  There s no charge for the service and cClients come through doctor or social worlker referral, or by the patient him or herslf.  The fuigures they post note that MANA clients visit the hospital 50% less than a like-patient, their hospital stays are 37% shorter and 20% are likely to be discharged to their home, avoiding rehab or nursing home care costs.  The MANNA cost savings are estimated to tbe 28%.  Sue is proud that insurance companies are starting to notice and that through contracts they now ship meals across PA and home-deliver to eight counties.  Clients receive three meals a day, every day of the week, and food is also provided for the client's dependents to ensure that they do not share their food with children or an elderly parent.  Meal rotation is greater than the average home - breakfast alone isn't repeated for ten days, and chef deveolped to taste good.  Meals are prepared, packaged and delivered by the 150 voulunteers needed every day.  Individuals, schools and businesses can sign up to help work the kitchens.     

MANNA relies on grants, some insurance reembursement, and donations.  They also produce events throughout the year, including Shut Up and Dance, a one-night-only show produced by the dancers of the PA Ballet, a 5K and the annual Pie in the Sky pie sale, where thousands of pies are baked by volunteers and sold for Thanksgiving.  

For more information about services, volunteer opportunities and special events visit MANNAPA.org.

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