Dear Neighbor,

I’m excited to share the work I’m doing in Harrisburg and across the 190th Legislative District. Keep reading for updates, follow me on social media for the latest news, and reach out to my offices to learn how we can help you access state and local programs and resources.

You can now visit my Hunting Park Avenue Office every third Thursday of the month to receive city services! Our next day is Thursday, Oct. 15 – we’re open from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. so stop by to see how we can best serve you with state AND city resources!

We also provide a handicap placard workshop DAILY in our offices, so please contact us to find out more. ♿

Do you know about the upcoming changes to Medicaid and how it could affect your healthcare coverage AND costs? Thanks to changes by the federal government, there are new work and reporting requirements, plus you’ll need to renew your coverage every six months (instead of every 12 months). It’s important that you watch for communication from Pennsylvania’s Dept. of Human Services in your mailbox letting you know about the changes and you can be prepared. You may have already received a letter like this explaining how to meet the work requirements and possible exemptions for individuals. You might also receive a text message on your smartphone (from 69217) or robocall (from 1-877-839-4782). Those are the only legitimate sources of messaging you’ll receive about Medicaid changes from DHS.

Watch the video below for more explanation and click the graphic above to read more about the changes and how they might affect you and your family. This page of frequently asked questions may also be helpful. Please contact my office if we can be of assistance.

We’ve RESCHEDULED the Uplifting the 190th Community Festival to Saturday, Oct. 10, noon – 4 p.m. at the fabulous Dell Music Center! Let’s hope for better weather and plan for an amazing afternoon of fun, food, and festivities with your neighbors!

I can’t wait to see everyone at this annual festival – we’ll just have to wait a little longer!

This week, I attended a roundtable discussion and tour with the House Majority Policy Committee in Northeast Philadelphia at the Fox Chase Cancer Center to look at the work they do in research and treatment and how the federal funding cuts are affecting their mission. Fox Chase is a world-class facility right here in our city, recently recognized as one of the nation's best hospitals in cancer care. The elimination of federal funding for research and the loss of Medicaid dollars threatens to slow down or end the transformative work they’re doing to end cancer. House Democrats are working to counter the cuts and ensure that the work at Fox Chase continues.

Click above to read more!

There has been an increase in phone scams attempting to persuade you to give them your information. The Dept. of Human Services will NEVER call or text you to ask for your personal information. Skimming devices at card terminals have also become more prevalent. I’m working with DHS and the State Office of Inspector General to make sure you’re informed about what a skimmer looks like and how to spot a scam. Read the graphics above for more details!

Chip-enabled cards will begin to be mailed to the 1.7 million Pennsylvanians who receive SNAP benefits starting in late Spring 2027, protecting these vital benefits from the growing, national trend of SNAP theft.

The general election for 2026 is right around the corner! Now is the time to make sure that you are registered to vote in PA and your voter information is correct (such as your street address, if you moved recently), find where your polling place is located, or to apply for a mail-in ballot. Monday, Oct. 19 is the deadline to register for this important election!

Click the graphic above or go to PhillyVotes.com to get started!

I’m asking you and one million of our friends and neighbors to sign my online petition and join the fight to get to One Million Signatures to be delivered to Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman to increase the minimum wage now!

Every state bordering Pennsylvania has a higher minimum wage, and 22 states have already increased theirs for 2026. Working Pennsylvanians deserve a living wage, and I will continue fighting in Harrisburg to ensure fair pay for all workers.

We are so close now and we’re going to make this happen - it’s beyond time to RAISE THE WAGE!

Our 19th Police District and PDAC have available vouchers for a free back-to-school haircut for the young people in your homeroom. Get First Day Fresh for FREE, but don’t wait – vouchers are limited in supply, and the Haircuts and Hairstyles giveaway ends Wednesday, Sept. 30. Reach out to the 19th Police District at 215-686-3190 or contact Officer Marc Moreau at Marc.Moreau@phila.gov

Mark your calendar for the PDAC Fish Fry on Friday, Oct. 9 from noon until 5 p.m. at the 19th Police District HQ Parking lot, 6059 Haverford Ave. Check the flier for pre-order information or just show up for a fantastic homestyle meal for you and your family. $20 per plate which supports the 19th Police District Advisory Council.

Make a plan for these upcoming Faith & Blue Community Events with our 19th Police District and Reverend Joy Griffin. The community event will be Saturday, Oct. 10 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Simpson Fletcher United Methodist Church, 6037 W. Jefferson St., followed by a church service on Sunday, Oct. 11, beginning at 11 a.m.

Somewhere warm for your little ones after school 💛

The Boys & Girls Club on Wayne Ave. has a free after-school program waiting for your kids — with homework help, a literacy program, STEM, dance, sports, and a warm dinner every day. A soft-landing spot after school, and so much joy built in.

📍 4223 Wayne Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19140

🕒 Monday–Friday, 3PM–7PM

📞 215-324-6433

To apply, email MillerK@bgcphila.org for the online application link. 🌼

The Philadelphia Fire Department is asking for your assistance in helping us reach residents in your community who may need smoke alarms.

The Fire Department provides free smoke alarms to Philadelphia residents. Residents can call 311 to request an installation.

Don’t forget the Philly Foodworks Farmstand every Friday from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. at 1978 W. Hunting Park Ave.

The PA State Treasury has $40 million in unclaimed property that belongs to residents of the 190th District - so some of it could belong to YOU! It could be as simple as a misspelled name or an out-of-date address that’s keeping you from your claim. My office is here to help you search for any uncashed checks or payments, old bank accounts, tangible property, or any other assets that could belong to you. Contact my office so we can connect you with any possible unclaimed property that is rightfully yours!

Click the image above for a list of grant opportunities for our communities and details on how to apply. My office strives to make these opportunities available to you and our local organizations to help uplift our communities and neighbors with economic development. If there are listed grants that may be a fit for another organization, please feel free to share with your networks.

This is a reminder that you can always reach out to my office for help with any state-related issues. To stay informed, visit my website.

West Philadelphia Office

1719 N. 52nd Street, Unit G
Philadelphia, PA 19131 
(215) 240-7478

North Philadelphia Office

3333 West Hunting Park Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19132
(267) 439-4732