The Phoenixville and West Chester area LGBTQ+ youth support groups (also known as SPOT and Rainbow Phoenix) are continuing to meet virtually via Zoom!
These meetings will be primarily for LGBTQIA+ identifying youth ages 14-18 and are facilitated by trained staff and volunteers from Planned Parenthood Southeast PA in partnership with the LGBT Equality Alliance of Chester County. If you are interested in joining our virtual meetings or have any questions please contact us at spot@ppsp.org
Happy Census Day!
Has your household completed the Census yet? According to the map below from the U.S. Census Bureau, 46.6% of Chester County residents have responded to the Census so far. Replies to the Census determine the number of seats our state holds in the U.S. House of Representatives, how billions of dollars in federal funding is allocated, and even how your local library receives funding and allocates collection resources. For more information on how the U.S. Census Bureau is handling the Census during the COVID-19 pandemic, and general information on why the Census matters and how to respond, they’ve posted an update on their website here.
You can complete your household’s Census at my2020census.gov using your Census ID from your invitation letter or your home address, or you can call the Census Bureau and speak to a Census representative in the language you’re most comfortable with.
Looking for daily comprehensive online updates on how the Coronavirus is affecting us locally and regionally here in Pennsylvania. WHYY, the leading public media organization in the Philadelphia regional, is running a daily series titled “Coronavirus Pandemic” from their website at https://whyy.org/series/coronavirus-pandemic/.
Wish you could get out of the house but know you should stay inside? Why not take a virtual tour of a museum! Below are a few of our local museums that are offering online tours and learning!
Academy of Natural Science Online Exhibits and Science From Home
Barnes Foundation Collection and Take Out (virtual art talks)
Brandywine River Museum of Art Virtual Tours
Elmwood Park Zoo Zoo School Live
Jenkins Arboretum: Jenkins at Home
Longwood Gardens Virtual Garden Tours
National Museum of Natural History Virtual Tours
Philadelphia Zoo at 2 Facebook Live Series
Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania Virtual Tours
Valley Forge National Historic Park Virtual Tours
What a great opportunity for teens! Join New York Times bestselling author Kelly Yang (“Front Desk”) for free online writing lessons. Click here to learn more about Kelly. Details about her online classes are below.
Chester County residents are encouraged to use 2-1-1 for accessing referrals to a variety of services and resources. This includes assistance for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
2-1-1 is a free and confidential service where you can speak to a live person 24/7. There are over 150 languages to choose from and an expert navigator will guide referrals related to:
While we’re all at home practicing good social distancing, now is a great time to respond to the 2020 Census. Why does the Census matter? A report from Pennsylvania Health Access Network (PHAN), citing data from a George Washington University study, indicates that should Pennsylvania’s population be undercounted by just 1%, the state would lose $221.8 million, or $1,746 per person, in federal funds each year for the next ten years. According to the study, Pennsylvania is the second most vulnerable state in the country in terms of federal funds that could be lost from an undercount.
You may have already received your invitation letter in the mail with your Census ID; you can use this ID to go to my2020census.gov and fill out your Census response (you can also look up your address if you don’t have your Census ID). You also have the option of responding by phone at 1-844-330-2020.
Please remember that everyone counts in the Census. Regardless of your status, if you are here in the U.S., you should be counted. Help shape our community in the years to come by participating in the Census.
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