Ensure Your Schools Are Welcoming with Welcoming Schools Survey, Toolkit
In 2017, Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition (PICC) launched the Welcoming Schools Campaign to ensure that immigrant students and parents had the tools they needed to advocate for welcoming policies at their schools. Last year, PICC members, partners, and allies worked together to pass Welcoming Schools Policies in Reading City,
New Civic Engagement Primer and Study Guide Available
The Pennsylvania Council of Churches recently released a new Civic Engagement Primer and Study Guide providing an enlightening resource for faith communities to utilize in Sunday School and Faith Formation classes. The Pennsylvania Council of Churches has long believed in our call as Christians to be faithful citizens, participating in
Gov. Wolf Signs 2019-2020 Budget
On June 28, Pennsylvania adopted a $34 billion budget that includes no new taxes but socks $330 million away in a rainy day fund. Highlights include increases for housing, education (basic, pre-k and special education), election security and help for a struggling agricultural industry. Funding for the state’s two major
KIDS COUNT Data Book Shows Pennsylvania Ranks 17th for Overall Child Well-being
The 30th edition of the KIDS COUNT® Data Book, released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, shows Pennsylvania ranks 17th for overall child well-being. According to the report – one of the more comprehensive national reviews of child wellbeing – Pennsylvania made gains in economic well-being, education and health, and
New Resource Available – “The Forgotten Luther II: Reclaiming the Church’s Public Witness”
In this critical time in history, "The Forgotten Luther II: Reclaiming the Church's Public Witness", this volume argues that what is urgently needed is a cogent, clear, biblically based and theologically grounded rationale for the manner in which the church speaks and acts in the political arena. Lured at times
Take Action On the 2020 Census
Pennsylvania is at risk of an undercount in the 2020 Census, and this could mean a significant loss of federal funds for healthcare, nutrition assistance, transportation, housing, education, programs for children and parents, and much more. Pennsylvanians can not afford to put these programs needlessly at risk. That's why every Pennsylvania resident
Lutherans Gather To Set a Welcome Table
Lutherans from across the Commonwealth gathered in the Capital on May 20 to speak up for the hungry, network with statewide advocates, worship, learn about hunger and child nutrition, human trafficking, climate change, prescription drug pricing, the ELCA's proposed Declaration of Inter-Religious Commitment with keynote Kathryn Lohre, and more. In
ELCA Domestic Hunger Grant Applications Open April 15
The application window for 2020 ELCA World Hunger Domestic Hunger Grants will open April 15. Visit ELCA.org/domestichungergrants to learn more about the grants and how to apply. Organizations applying for an ELCA grant for the first time are invited to set up an account in ELCA GrantMaker in advance in
2020 Census: April 1, 2019 Day of Action
Join us on Monday, April 1, 2019, to take action on the 2020 Census by contacting your state lawmakers to share with them how important an accurate 2020 Census is to all Pennsylvanians. Without action, Pennsylvania could lose millions in federal funds. An undercount of just one percent would cost
PA Dept. of Education Announces School Breakfast Program Mini Grants
The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) recently announced the availability of $600,000 in mini-grants for schools to implement or expand alternative breakfast programs and to make breakfast available to all students. “Students who eat a healthy, nutritious breakfast are in a better position to learn and succeed when they enter