CORA to honor 7
CORA Services will honor seven people at its 49th annual event that recognizes individuals and organizations who have exemplified their mission or have been instrumental in advancing CORA’s ability to support children and families.
The Virtual Champions for Children Celebration will take place on Thursday, Jan. 28, at 7:30 p.m.
The Corporate Champions are Valentine A. Brown, of the law firm Duane Morris, and John J. Coyle, chairman of CORA’s Board of Directors.
Brown oversees the firm’s objective of providing thousands of hours of free, quality legal services to individuals and organizations that serve the community. Duane Morris pro bono attorneys worked in the transition of Good Shepherd Mediation Program as a CORA program.
Sister Brigid Lawlor and the late Sister Charity Kohl are Civic Champions. Sister Brigid founded the Good Shepherd Mediation Program, which focuses on child care, social work, legal advocacy and justice. Sister Charity established CORA in 1971. She died in 2001.
The James J. Harron Classroom Champion Award recognizes high school students for notable achievements in the classroom or community. Three Class of 2020 graduates have been named CORA Classroom Champions: Jessica Grabon (Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush), Harrison Mayall-Weiland (The Bridge Way School) and Mariame Sissoko (Central).
Each of these students will receive a $1,000 scholarship.
To purchase tickets or sponsorships for the virtual event, send tribute messages for the honorees or for more information, contact Helene Baczkowski at hbaczkowski@coraservices.org or 215-701-2776. ••
Pre-commit to COVID vaccine
The city health department is rolling out the COVID-19 vaccine.
The City will consider where to locate the vaccination centers based on where they have the highest concentrations of people who have pre-committed to receive the vaccine.
City Councilman Brian O’Neill said he will advocate for COVID-19 resources for the Northeast, including a vaccine distribution location.
While the general public is not yet eligible to receive the vaccine, you can pre-commit to receive it.
If you live in Philadelphia, you can go online and register that you want to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Pre-committing is not a requirement to get vaccinated in the city. However, the Department of Public Health encourages all residents to do so.
Sign up and you will be alerted when it is your turn to get vaccinated. You will also receive email updates about the status of vaccine administration across the city.
To sign up, visit phillyfightingcovid.com/vaccine, and click on the button that says “pre-commit to getting vaccinated.”
Enter your email address and full name, and create a password to create an account.
Check your email for a confirmation email. You need to click the confirmation link in the email, which confirms your account and takes you to a page on COVIDReadi, the portal used to register those who pre-commit.
On the COVIDReadi landing page, click the “pre-commit to getting vaccinated” button.
On the following form, you will need to provide personal information, including your name, contact information, occupation and where you live and work.
For more information, contact O’Neill at 215-686-3422 or Brian.oneill@phila.gov. ••
McNesby thanks McSwain
Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 president John McNesby thanked U.S. Attorney William McSwain after he announced his resignation.
McSwain was appointed by President Donald Trump and would surely have been replaced by President-elect Joe Biden.
“Accountability, integrity and fairness were all benchmarks that U.S. Attorney William McSwain exhibited during his tenure in our region,” McNesby said. “We’re humbled and honored to call McSwain a true law enforcement partner and colleague. We’ve witnessed first-hand his compassion for victims, especially seeking justice for our fallen hero, Sgt. Jimmy O’Connor, his widow, Terri, and all of our colleagues with the Philadelphia Police Department.
“McSwain has served our city and region with the utmost professionalism and transparency. We wish him nothing but success in his next endeavor. Thank you for your dedication and friendship to our law enforcement community.” ••
Learn about retired presidents
United States Presidents In Retirement will be the subject of a complimentary virtual series for adults being offered by KleinLife. The program is open to the public.
The series is being led by David Hudiak.
The program will be conducted on Jan. 25 and Feb. 1 and 8 from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m.
To register and receive a Zoom link, contact Mariya Keselman-Mekler at 215-698-7300, Ext. 185 or mkeselman@kleinlife.org. ••
Salute to Holocaust Remembrance Day
Maybe Even Higher, a virtual dance program inspired by children’s artwork from the World War II Theresienstadt Concentration Camp in the Czech Republic and set to Brahm’s waltzes, will be shown by KleinLife as part of a salute to Holocaust Remembrance Day on Wednesday, Jan. 27, at 2 p.m. The public is invited to view the complimentary program.
The Artist House, a Philadelphia dance company led by artistic director Asya Zlatina, will perform the original choreography for the program.
The four-part program will be presented in English and Russian.
Anyone interested in viewing the virtual Holocaust Remembrance Day program may register and receive a Zoom link from Mariya Keselman-Mekler at 215-698-7300, Ext. 185 or mkeselman@kleinlife.org. ••
Grant to benefit Holocaust survivors
The Jewish Federations of North America’s Center on Aging and Trauma, a project of its Holocaust Survivors Initiative, has awarded KleinLife, 10100 Jamison Ave., a $50,000 grant.
“We are excited to be able to continue providing person-centered and trauma-informed wellness services to Holocaust survivors through this grant,” said Mariya Keselman-Mekler, KleinLife’s counseling and program manager. “The goal of our program is to provide Holocaust survivors from the former Soviet Union in our Northeast Philadelphia community opportunities to improve their physical, mental and social well-being.”
Call 215-698-7300 or visit www.kleinlife.org. ••
Neilson takes oath, heads committee
State Rep. Ed Neilson took the oath of office at the state Capitol to begin his fourth term representing the 174th Legislative District.
Neilson was recently appointed minority-party chairman of the House Game and Fisheries Committee.
“Some people across Pennsylvania might not connect Philadelphia with hunting and fishing,” Neilson said. “But the people in the nearby communities know that Northeast Philadelphia is rich with opportunities for anglers, boaters, wildlife watchers, hikers and all who enjoy our open spaces and care about the beautiful resources we have in the Wissahickon and Pennypack creeks, the Delaware River and our state parks,” Neilson said. “I’m excited about the ways I will be able to highlight the beauty in my district in my new role as chairman of the Game and Fisheries Committee, and I am looking forward to working with others across the state to ensure we preserve and protect our game land and waterways for everyone’s enjoyment and promote our state’s wildlife and natural resources.”
Neilson’s office can be reached at 215-330-3714. ••
City hiring paramedics
The Philadelphia Fire Department is hiring paramedics.
The deadline to apply is Jan. 22.
The starting annual salary is $56,277.
For more information, call 215-MU6-0880, visit phila.gov/fire or email pfd.recruitment@phila.gov. ••
