State Senator Lindsey M. Williams, Your District 38 Update

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*Upcoming Events**
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*Monthly
Office Hours at the Kingsley Center*

*Friday, June 2, 2023 from 10:00
AM - 3:00 PM*

Our June Community Office Hours at the Kingsley
Association [link 1] are this Friday! Stop by between 10:00 AM - 3:00
PM to ask questions or get help with state services like the new Whole
Home Repairs Program, Pittsburgh Regional Transit senior bus passes,
Property Tax-Rent Rebate applications, or Unclaimed Property searches.
Hope to see you there!

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*Fox
Chapel Pride in the Park*

Pride in the Park [link 2] returns to
Allegheny River Trail Park [link 3] in Fox Chapel on Thursday, June 8
from 5 - 8 pm. Celebrate with the LGBTQIA+ community and allies with
an evening of music, games, art, food, drinks and so much more! Stop
by to talk with Senator Williams' staff and pick up state resources
and information. Hope to see you there!

For more information on Fox
Chapel Pride in the Park click here [link 4].

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*Expungement
of Records and Clean Slate Event*

*Sharpsburg Community Library,
Monday, June 12, 2023, at 5:30 pm.*

Rep. Mandy Steele [link 5],
District Judge Matt Rudzki [link 6], and I are proud to present a
Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts [link 7]' Expungement of Records and
Clean Slate Event at the Sharpsburg Community Library [link 8]! If you
or someone you know has questions about clearing criminal records, you
should attend this informative event. Participants will hear about
their options and what steps are necessary to complete the process.
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*Good
News**

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*Southwest
Veterans Center Turns 25!*

I spent time last Wednesday celebrating
the 25th anniversary of the Southwest Veterans Center [link 9] and
recognizing some of their long-time employees for their service to
those who have given so much to our Veterans.

Thank you to our
Veterans who have served and to those caregivers who dedicate their
lives to serving them.

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*Learning
about the Needs of Independent Pharmacies*

I spent some time over the
past week learning more about what our small pharmacies go through to
serve their communities and how the General Assembly can best support
these small businesses. Independent pharmacies can be the cornerstone
of a community, but consolidations and other industry practices are
threatening to put these neighborhood fixtures out of business.

First
I had a tour of Blueberry Pharmacy [link 10] in West View and a
discussion of their unique pharmacy model. Blueberry Pharmacy provides
access to low-cost prescription medications without the need for
insurance using an optional membership program. They save you money by
cutting out the middleman and negotiating directly with suppliers to
find the best prices.

If you'd like to learn more, check out their
website at blueberrypharmacy.com. [link 11]

I also had a roundtable
discussion with local pharmacists and industry representatives from
all over the region to talk about how we sustain the small,
independent pharmacy model. I'm incredibly grateful to all of these
professionals for giving me their time and expertise so that I can
better understand this complex system. I hope to help make it a more
accessible and transparent system for everyone going forward here in
Pennsylvania.

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*Deer
Lakes Middle School Award*

I joined students, teachers, and
administrators at Deer Lakes School Distric [link 12]t [link 13]
Middle School last week to celebrate their being named a Don Eichhorn
School to Watch! This award is really special because it only
recognizes middle schools--and middle schools face a completely unique
set of challenges.

Congratulations to everyone on all of your hard
work!

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*Tiny
Seed Farm in Allison Park*

Last week I had the chance to tour Tiny
Seed Farm [link 14] and see their small-scale farm in Allison Park.
Their goal is to provide hand-tended, freshly grown veggies,
mushrooms, and flowers for the local community. Check them out at
their website tinyseedfarmpgh.com [link 15] or catch them at local
farmers markets (especially the Bloomfield Development Corporation
[link 16] Saturday Farmer's Market) all summer!

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*Memorial
Day Parade in West View*

I hope everyone enjoyed their Memorial Day
celebrations as much as I did on Monday!

We started the morning off
with the North Hills School District [link 17] Marching Band
performing in the Borough of West View [link 18]'s Memorial Day
parade. There is nothing like a marching band to inspire us all to
celebrate those who gave their all for our Nation. A big thank you to
Girl Scout Troop 52418 for letting me join you on the parade
route!

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*Memorial
Day Parade in Blawnox*

After West View, I headed to Blawnox Borough
[link 19] for their parade. Thanks to everyone who came out to pay
tribute to the service members who gave their lives for our
country.
We remain incredibly thankful for those who gave the ultimate
sacrifice, not just on Memorial Day, but every day.

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*PA
Needs Universal School Meals*

As the school year winds down across
the state, it serves as a reminder that the Universal Free Breakfast
program that has helped so many students this year is coming to an
end. Ensuring that this program is maintained in the FY 2023-24 budget
and expanding access to Universal Lunch is my top priority. Families
and students across the Commonwealth simply cannot afford to start
their school day on an empty stomach.

Pennsylvania children need free
lunch at school as well as free breakfast | Opinion - pennlive.com
[link 20]

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*The
Whole-Home Repairs Program is Taking Applications*

The Whole-Home
Repairs Program [link 21] application period opened on Tuesday and we
are encouraging interested constituents to apply! The program is
administered by ACTION-Housing [link 22] and has over $12 million in
grants to distribute to eligible Allegheny County homeowners. Eligible
applicants can receive up to $50,000 for home repairs targeted at
significant habitability issues like damage to a home's roof, windows,
and foundation, issues that could force an individual to have to
relocate. The grants can also be used to make modifications that allow
disabled residents to stay in their homes.

Due to limited funding,
the program is prioritizing homes with the worst damage, which
unfortunately means many eligible applicants will not be selected.
ACTON-Housing is acutely aware of this and is partnering with other
organizations to match these homeowners with other programs that may
be able to help.

To qualify applicants must:

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Own and live in a
house needing repairs in Allegheny County.

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Be living in a home
with significant habitability issues like roof damage, unsafe
electrical wiring, or accessibility concerns.

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Have a total income
that doesn't exceed 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for Allegheny
County [link 23].

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Applybetween May 30, 2023 - June 30, 2023.
Another application period will open in late fall if funds are still
available. Note this is not a first-come-first-served program.Those
applying on the last day will have the same chance as those who
applied on the first.

Three Ways to Apply:

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Online [link 24].

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By phone at 412-248-0021 with an ACTION-Housing representative.

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On paper. Request a paper application by phoning or emailing
ACTION-Housing at 412-248-0021 or [email protected]
[link 25].

If you are eligible and selected for a home inspection,
you will be scheduled with a Whole-Home Repairs Program inspector to
determine if the repairs qualify for funding. If the inspector
approves the repairs, you will be connected with a program-certified
contractor to do the work.

If you have questions, please consult
ACTION-Housing's Frequently Asked Questions [link 26] or contact
ACTION-Housing at (412) 248-0021 or [email protected]
[link 27].

ACTION-Housing is currently looking for contractors to
partner with on this program. If you or someone you know is
interested, please contact them at
[email protected].

For complete information on the
Whole-Home Repairs Program go to Allegheny County Whole-Home Repairs
Program - Action Housing [link 28].

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*Farmer's
Market Nutrition Program Voucher Distributions Delayed*

The June 22,
2023 distribution day for the PA Department of Agriculture's Senior
Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) [link 29] has been delayed
until late June or early July due to voucher printing issues. A new
date will be announced soon. Vouchers for the Farmers Market Nutrition
Program (FMNP) [link 30] are also delayed. Vouchers will still be
usable for the majority of the season and the value will remain the
same.

If you are a Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) [link 31]
recipient or a low income senior, you should take advantage of these
programs which provide vouchers in the form of a checks to be used
for
fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables,
and herbs from approved farmers' in Pennsylvania.

*Farmers Market
Nutrition Program (FMNP)*

The Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP)
[link 32] is available to WIC participants only. Vouchers are
distributed during quarterly WIC visits (May - September).

*Senior
Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)*

The annual Senior Farmers
Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) [link 33] usually distributes
vouchers in June at participating senior centers. A full list of
distribution sites and times will be made available for the initial
distribution date once a new date has been determined. Seniors
mustpick up their vouchers in person or designate a proxy (see below
for proxy information).

To be eligible for SFMNP, you must be 60 or
older by Dec. 31, 2023, live in Allegheny County and fall within the
following income guidelines:

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One-person household: At or below
$26,973

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Two-person household: At or below $36,482*

*Married
couples may receive one set of vouchers for each individual.

Older
adults living in a residential facility that provides meals are not
eligible to receive vouchers.

Eligible seniors receive one set of
vouchers to be spent at participating farmers markets. One set of
vouchers is worth $50.00 (issued as five vouchers worth $10.00 each).
SFMNP documents are available in Russian, Cantonese, Mandarin, Nepali,
Spanish and Braille at senior community centers.

Eligible seniors who
are unable to get to a senior center may designate a proxy to pick up
their vouchers. Proxies can pick up vouchers for up to four seniors.
Proxy forms are available at participating senior centers or can be
downloaded from Allegheny County's SFMNP website [link 34].
Additional voucher distribution dates will be scheduled throughout the
summer based on voucher supply and demand.

The new 2023 SFMNP voucher
distribution day will be announced by the Allegheny County Department
of Human Services. Look for press releases on radio and TV, the county
website [link 35], by texting the word "farmer" to 987987, or by
calling the SeniorLine at (412) 350-5460.

As always, our office is
available to answer your questions about these programs. Call us at
412-364-0469 (Ross) or 724-224-2131 (Harrison) or email us at
[email protected].

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*Allegheny
County Pools and Spray Parks Open Saturday**!*

Summer has officially
started- the Allegheny County Parks [link 36] announced its pools and
spray parks will open this Saturday, June 3, 2023. Here in Senate
District 38 you can go to North Park Swimming Pool [link 37] and Deer
Lakes Spray Park [link 38] to celebrate the season with a
splash!

Daily hours of operation at all four of the County's pools
are 11:30 AM to 7:30 PM. The County has two spray parks which are free
and open daily, 10:00 AM to 8 PM. Note hours may change due to weather
conditions. See pool admission rates and group discount rates (20 or
more with 24-hour notice) above. For complete information on pools and
spray parks go to Allegheny County Pools [link 39].

Do you know
someone who needs a summer job? Allegheny County is hiring lifeguards
for between $16-$18/hour! For more information on certification and
requirements go to Lifeguard Positions | Parks | Allegheny County
[link 40].

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*Highland
Park Yard Sale and Bryant Street Festival is this Sunday!*

Sunday,
June 4, 2023 is Pittsburgh's largest yard sale in Highland Park [link
41]!
It will be from 9 am - 1 pm and will be followed by the Bryant
Street Festival from noon until 4 pm. There will be food, arts &
crafts vendors, live music, kids' crafts, and other fun things on
Bryant Street. Come for the deals and stay for the fun!

For more
information, to register to sell items, or volunteer visit 2023
Highland Park Yard Sale! | Highland Park Community Council
(hpccpgh.org) [link 42].

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*No-Cost
Farmers Markets in Senate District 38!*

The Greater Pittsburgh
Community Food Bank [link 43] and the Allegheny Intermediate Unit
[link 44] are holding a no-cost farmers market food distribution next
Wednesday, June 7 in Tarentum [link 45]. The Greater Pittsburgh
Community Food Bank is also holding three no-cost farmers markets at
the Sharpsburg Community Library [link 46] on June 14, September 8,
and December 15. These events are open to the public with no
restrictions or registration required. Bring a bag and stock up on
precious fresh fruits and veggies. See graphics above for details!

As
always, please feel free to reach out with any questions you may have
by phone at 412-364-0469 [link 47] (Ross Office), 724-224-2131 [link
48] (Harrison Office) or by email at
[email protected] [link 49]. My staff will return
your call/email within 24 hours (Monday-Friday).

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Senator
Lindsey Williams

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Contact
Information:

Website:
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Office Location:
District
Office
5000 McKnight Road
Suite 405
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
Phone:
412-364-0469
Fax: 412-364-0928

Harrison Office
1826 Union
Avenue
Natrona Heights, PA 15065
Phone: 724-224-2131
Fax:
724-224-2145

Harrisburg Office
366 Capitol Building
Senate Box
203038
Harrisburg, PA 17120-3038
Phone: 717-787-6538
Fax:
717-787-8625

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