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Put People First! PA Telling OUR Story This Year
Week 4 of PPF-PA fundraising features our Media & Communications
“In order to change the narrative, you’ve got to change the narrator!”
- Rev. Dr. William Barber II, Co-Chair of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival
This year, Put People First! PA told our stories loud and clear in our towns, across Pennsylvania, the country and beyond. The Media & Communications (M&C) team of PPF-PA published Fall & Spring editions of The Keystone, a member-created 25+ page newsletter with member analysis, stories, reflections and more. ** Members had over 10 Letters to the Editor published in PA newspapers and more than 20 articles were written about PPF-PA in outlets across the state. ** In October, M&C members kicked off a Media Collaborative with sister organizations (top left). ** We also kept internal communications strong across a large state, facilitating monthly Statewide Membership Calls for dozens of members and sending our twice a month E-news to over 2,000 subscribers. Read the Keystone, subscribe to our E-news and donate to sustain our work in the next year at www.putpeoplefirstpa.org.
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As a grassroots organization led by the poor and dispossessed we rely on donations from members, friends, family and supporters to see our campaign work through each year. Please consider making a donation as we continue our work going into 2020 and beyond. Thank you for your support of our statewide movement of clear, competent, committed and connected working class leaders!
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And in case you missed it... last week's graphic: Growing the Medicaid Army
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 Are you in need of a tote bag, believe healthcare is a human right and want to help spread the word about the work we do at Put People First! PA? Consider purchasing a tote bag featuring the PPF-PA logo! Buy one for yourself and or as a gift for your friends and family members.
You can place your tote bag order at this link here.
We also have beautiful Mother Jones T-Shirts and posters which you can order by clicking on this link here.
Want to support our merchandise fundraising in additional ways? South Central PA Organizer Katrina is looking for folks who are interested in appearing on the etsy page in the photos of PPF-PA merchandise. And, if folks have handmade items -- or are interested in making some, like hats, blankets, etc. -- to fund raise, contact Katrina at katrinaraser@gmail.com.
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“Day After Thanksgiving” Dinner Event was a Success!
Lancaster Healthcare Rights Committee hosts community dinner
The Lancaster Healthcare Rights Committee (HRC) hosted a successful “Day After Thanksgiving” Dinner Event! Many community members attended as their first ever PPF-PA event after 1on1s with Lancaster HRC leaders. The event included discussion about the National Union of the Homeless, the closing of Hahnemann Hospital in Philadelphia, the closing of St. Joseph’s Hospital in Lancaster, and a 2019 timeline-in-review slideshow of the Lancaster HRC’s work. The people in attendance talked about the possibilities for 2020 and how the community of Lancaster could continue the fight to “Take Back St. Joseph’s.” Newer members of the Lancaster Healthcare Rights Committee shared reflections and a pledge to further commit to the work of the movement in 2020.
“Attending the Day After Thanksgiving Dinner was a highlight of my holiday festivities. I find meaningful community at all of these events. I learned more about the organizations, the people and the issues -- and am energized to work more!” -Eric, New member of the Lancaster HRC
“Excited to see the community come out the way they did and I’m excited for 2020!” -Matthew, Co-Coordinator of Lancaster HRC
“I volunteered to help organize for a bus from Lancaster,PA to the June 20, 2020 Moral March on Washington, D.C.!” -Dottie, PA-PPC faith leader, Deaconess Community of the ELCA
“I attended the Day After Thanksgiving Dinner event hosted by Put People First! PA and was inspired by their knowledge, passion, and advocacy for their community. The spirit of self-efficacy was palatable, and it encouraged me to think big about what is possible for the people of Lancaster and beyond.” -Jennifer--Assistant Professor (Millersville University School of Social Work) and new member of the Lancaster HRC
“We saw several good videos and PowerPoints that led us to small group discussions. The PPC video that featured a steady pounding beat of our demands was especially powerful and moving. I am paraphrasing my favorite quote from it: "Are the rejected ready to revive and declare that this land is our land?" -Val, York HRC
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In memory of Ms. Penny
This is Denyne with news of the sudden passing of Ms Penny Lynch from Mon Valley HRC on 11/24. Ms. Penny most generously held our PPF-PA organizing exchange in her yard this past July 2019. She also made amazing dishes to share for the launch of our Mon Valley HRC opening event. She wore her red PPF-PA shirt proudly. Penny will surely be missed.
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Solitary Confinement in a Toxic Prison
Tuesday night, November 26th, 40 people crowded into the People's Education Center in Germantown for a panel discussion about solitary confinement in Pennsylvania prisons. The event was co-hosted by PPF-PA and the Human Rights Coalition, a member of CADBI (The Coalition to Abolish Death by Incarceration). CADBI is also on the coordinating committee of the PA Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival.
Richard of the PPF-PA Fayette Healthcare Rights Committee (on the left in the picture below) shared his story of incarceration at SCI (State Correctional Institute) Fayette. SCI Fayette is a toxic prison - built on a toxic coal dump - with water polluted from fracking waste. PPF-PA is organizing people who are directly affected by the health crisis at SCI Fayette, whether incarcerated or with a loved one who is incarcerated. And we know every prison is a toxic prison. People have the right to live a healthy life and you can't do that in any prison. Check our blog and facebook page soon for videos from the event!
PPF-PA Media & Comms at the People's Forum in NY
 Put People First! PA Media & Communications Team was represented on a panel at the Indymedia Conference on November 23rd at the People’s Forum in New York City with other media leaders of the Poor People’s Campaign a National Call for Moral Revival. On the PPC-NCMR media panel we had Peter from Skylight Pictures, James from National Union of the Homeless, Tammy from Put People First! PA and Dara currently making a documentary about the Poor People’s Campaign a National Call for Moral Revival. The panel was moderated by Nic from the Kairos Center Media Team. There were many other panels that took place over the weekend and it was great to make new connections. To see more about what took place during the panel check out Tammy's presentation here.
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Upcoming Events
Northeast PA Healthcare Rights Committee - TONIGHT!
When: 5-6:30 pm
Where: 2007 Highway 315, Suite 203, Pittston, PA 18640
Contact Iaan (215) 251-1821
Johnstown Healthcare Rights Committee - TONIGHT!
When: Wednesdays, December 4th and December 18th from 6 to 8 pm
Where: St. Mark's Episcopal Church (335 Locust St. Johnstown, PA 15901)
A bi-monthly meeting, all are welcome! Contact Savannah 814.659.3528 skkittykid8@yahoo.com or Maddy madelinejburrows@gmail.com for more info.
Pittsburgh Healthcare Rights Committee
When: Thursdays, December 5th and December 19th from 6 to 8 pm
Where: Center for Family Excellence
A bi-monthly meeting, all are welcome! Contact: Ben at 412-482-0041
York Healthcare Rights Committee
When: Monday, December 9th from 6 to 8 pm
Where: Heidelberg UCC 47 West Philadelphia St., York, PA 17401
All are welcome! Contact Val at valkater@ymail.com
Mon Valley Healthcare Rights Committee
When: Tuesday, December 10th at 2 pm
Contact: Denyne at denynepollard17@gmail.com
Altoona Healthcare Rights Committee
When: Wednesday, December 11th from 6:30 to 8 pm
All are welcome! Contact Jennina at 814-215-6744
Philadelphia Healthcare Rights Committee - TONIGHT!
When: Wednesday, December 11th from 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Where: 2401 Walnut Street
All are welcome! Contact Jae at jhubay@gmail.com for more information.
Lancaster Healthcare Rights Committee
When: Wednesday, December 11th from 5 to 8 pm
Where: Franklin & Marshall College, Stager Hall, Room 316
Contact Tammy Rojas at tammyrojas1977@gmail.com or 717-205-3230
Norristown (Montgomery County) Healthcare Rights Committee
When: Thursday, December 12th from 7 to 8:30 pm
Where: CADCOM office, 2nd Floor, 113 E Main St, 19401 (Parking in big lot to right)
All are welcome! Contact: Jacob at 215-908-4661 or jsjb.cwrite@gmail.com
Philadelphia PPF Holiday Party
When: Friday, December 13th from 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Where: 2401 Walnut Street
Contact: Clarissa at clarissaoconor@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/events/551221872365350/
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