April / May 2013 The Recession Has Demonstrated The Importance Of Our Mission: An Update On “PASS” Polish American Social Services, United Social Services Serving Philadelphia & Southeastern Pennsylvania Effective and Efficient Agency PASS Helps Save Money PASS has earned a reputation as a highly effective and efficient PASS works with thousands of constituents annually, saving component of the social services delivery system in the Philadelphia government and agencies millions of dollars in the long run. Through area due to its comprehensive benefits counseling, information/ the efforts of PASS’s staff, individual constituents could receive up to referral, and advocacy services to constituents. Its unique $1,000 in benefits from various income enhancing programs. These contribution to social services is that it addresses the needs of a rebate programs allow them to stretch their annual budget, add to largely under-served community with language and cultural barriers the economy and help them remain more self-sufficient. that block access to programs and services that build constituents’ Approximately 90% of PASS’s constituents manage to remain self- self-sufficiency, self-esteem, and overall physical and mental well sufficient and in their own homes. being. Ongoing PASS Program Objectives Include: A Community Resource For Thousands 1. To enable constituents to make better use of available income PASS, also known as United Social Services, is a multi-service through timely and well-informed income management and agency with a thorough knowledge of numerous resources and the benefits counseling including low and moderate income programs flexibility to meet varied and complex constituent needs. In addition such as: PA Property Tax/Rent Rebates, LIHEAP, PACE, and to assisting constituents from the Polish/Slavic community in services offered by other agencies which promote self-sufficiency Southeastern Pennsylvania, PASS is a referral point for six additional and a reasonable quality of life. ethnic groups and receives referrals from over 70 organizations. 2. To remove obstacles and solve problems which prevent self- The efficient sharing of comprehensive resources and services with sufficiency and a reasonable quality of life. people of all ages saves time and money and provides a reliable point 3. To establish and coordinate linkages between social service of contact for those in need. programs to assure service delivery to constituents. Who Benefits From “PASS” - United Social Services? 4. Maintain a telephone helpline, which is particularly beneficial to Each year, thousands of Philadelphia-area residents benefit from individuals for whom travel is difficult and constituents in need of income-enhancing programs, such as rent/property tax rebates, information and referral. PACE, utility discounts, and many other programs. PASS’s services 5. Promote employment opportunities through Job Fairs, help individuals to add as much as one full month’s worth of income employment-unemployment services, resume preparation and job each year, allowing them to weather occasional financial crises and training programs. live healthier lives. The end result is fewer trips to the doctor and less stress over the rising cost of maintaining their homes. A Strong Bond With Constituents continued next column Although PASS has established a strong bond with thousands of Philadelphia-area constituents, the current economic crisis requires When You're in Philadelphia's a dramatic expansion of the agency’s outreach to constituents Historic District Visit The who have not needed the agency’s services till now. As residents Polish American Cultural Center approach retirement age, or as current retirees experience both Museum Exhibit Hall rapidly diminishing financial resources and failing health, they find themselves in unexpectedly dire circumstances, not knowing where 308 Walnut Street to turn for help. Even neighbors and relatives who have assumed a Featuring Polish History and Culture caretaker role are ignorant of available services and resources. Often Open 10 AM to 4 PM they are suspicious of government bureaucracy or reluctant to “go on FREE ADMISSION welfare related programs” and seek help from PASS. January through April PASS Has A Well Established Outreach Network Monday to Friday Because of PASS’s positive reputation in the community and its access to multiple media outlets, including radio, neighborhood May through December churches and organizations, local newspapers, the Polish American Polish American Monday to Saturday News, and a website, PASS is the ideal one-stop point of contact. Cultural Center Gift Shop is Open During PASS staff is pleased to provide information and referrals to other 308 Walnut Street Regular Exhibit Hall Hours services and direct assistance to constituents to help them retain Philadelphia, PA 19106 their self-sufficiency during these difficult times. (215) 922-1700 Closed on Holidays For more information call: Internet: PolishAmericanCenter.orgPolishAmericanCenter.com PASS - United Social Services Listen to re-broadcasts of the Daily and Weekend 308 Walnut Street in Philadelphia, PA, 19106 Polish American Radio Program Office open: Monday to Friday - 9 A.M. to 4 P.M. 24 hours-a-day, 7 days a week at: Telephone: (215) 923-1900 PolishAmericanRadioProgram.com Internet: UnitedSocialServices.com or PolishAmericanSocialServices.com Let Everyone Know Yo u're BE A Polish American Congress O ME T R Eastern Pennsylvania District D I U C O A Newsletter N R P 308 Walnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19106 P R H Telephone: (215) 739-3408 O I S U L PolishAmericanCongress.com D O TO B E P April / May 2013 Join the Read the Polish American News Online at: Polish American Congress Eastern Pennsylvania District PolishAmericanNews.com April / May 2013, Polish American News - Page 2 Polish American Cultural Center Museum in Philadelphia, PA Museum’s Historic Reflections Project PTYSIO We Offer Catering Ciasta April / May Doughnuts, Pastries, Obiady domowe and Home-Cooked Meals na wynos i na miejscu The Polish American Cultural Center Museum in Historic Eat in or Take-Away Zapraszamy Philadelphia presents Historic Reflections from Polish and Polish tel: (215) 634-6160 • tel: (215) 954-3257 American history on the Polish American Radio Program. The reflections are organized in a daily format. Some of the dates may be the birthday or death date of a prominent person. Other dates may Polish American Radio Program celebrate a milestone in a prominent person’s life such as a career Serving Southeastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware promotion, invention date, or some accomplishment that contributed 7 days a week since 1925 to science, medicine, sports, or entertainment history. Other dates Monday to Friday 11:00 A.M. to 12 Noon - 860 AM may be an anniversary of a historical event in Polonia or Poland’s history. Local News, Music, Special Features and News from Poland in the Polish Language with Hostess Barbara Ilnicka You can hear weekly historic reflections on the Saturday edition of the Polish American Radio Program at 11 A.M. on 860 AM Thursday 11:45 A.M. - 860 AM Radio from Philadelphia. Listen to rebroadcasts 24 hours a day at Pauline Fathers Radio Program PolishAmericanRadioProgram.com. from Czestochowa in Doylestown, PA in the Polish Language For your information, we have listed a brief outline of historic reflections for the months of April and May. Saturday Variety Program 11:00 A.M. to 12 Noon - 860 AM April 1, 1939 - Phil Niekro (Born) In English hosted by Michael Blichasz Phil Niekro was a proud Polish American and well-known pitcher in Major League Baseball. He was Sunday 12:30 to 1:30 P.M. - 860 AM one of the most successful knuckleball pitchers of all Polish Language Variety Program time, with 318 career victories. Niekro was inducted with hostess Barbara Ilnicka into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997. Listen to re-broadcasts 24 hours-a-day, 7 days a week on the Internet at: PolishAmericanRadioProgram.com April 2, 2005 - Blessed John Paul II (Died) Pope John Paul II, the beloved Cardinal of Krakow, Poland, was elected to be the shepherd of the Universal Catholic Church in October, 1978, Polish Museum of America and served as Pontiff until his death on April 2, America’s First Ethnic Museum 2005. During his 27 years as Holy Father, he 984 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL 60642 was recognized as a true son of Poland and an international leader of faith and justice. He was 773-384-3352, ext. 104 • PolishMuseumOfAmerica.org beatified on May 1, 2011 by Pope Benedict XVI. Founded in 1935, the Polish Museum of America is one of the April 3, 1849 - Juliusz Slowacki (Died) country’s first and largest ethnic museums. Polish and Polish American history is promoted through music, artworks, Juliusz Slowacki was a poet and playwright who wrote and historical and cultural displays. “The Trilogy of Polish History”. Pope John Paul II quoted Juliusz Slowacki’s works on more than one occasion. Slowacki had an influence over other great Polish poets such as Krasinski, Norwid, and Ujejski. Subscribe to the His ashes were laid to rest in the Royal Crypt in Wawel Castle. Polish American Journal April 4, 1989 - Round Table Talks Ended Published Since 1911 The Round Table Talks took place in News from Polish American Communities Across the United States Warsaw, Poland, between February 6th News - Sports - Religion - History - Recipes - Folklore - Polka - and More! and April 4th in 1989. As a result of the Round Table Agreement, Solidarnosc Published Monthly - Only $18.00 per year became a legal political party, free Call (toll free) 1(800) 422-1275 or visit us on the web at: elections would be scheduled and massive www.PolAmJournal.com changes for the better began to take place in Poland. It was the beginning of the fall of Communism in central Europe. e-mail: [email protected] April 5, 1804 - Vincent Dziewanowski (Born) Vincent Dziewanowski was an American pioneer who established the city of Pulaski, Wisconsin.