Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor was honored to join members of the Share Food team, elected officials, and community partners to announce the construction of the Share Food Warehouse in Ridley Township on April 20. 

The 9,000-square-foot warehouse, currently undergoing renovations, will serve as the County’s central hub for food commodities and distribution for the growing network of food pantries in the region. 

“Share Food Program has been a valuable County partner for several years, and we are excited to be here today to pave the way to the next step in our shared goal of combating hunger and food insecurity across the county,” said Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor 

In 2021, Delaware County Council approved a five-year contract with Share Food Program to manage the charitable food system within the county. Share Food Program’s physical expansion into the region has enabled them to assist the county in providing vulnerable families with nutritious food, education, and other resources. As Delaware County’s lead agency for state and federal food distribution, Share Food Program has distributed over a million pounds of food to its residents in need in 2022, and they work to eradicate food insecurity through food distribution, education, and advocacy. Share Food has partnerships with nearly 800 schools and 400 community-based organizations and partner pantries, Share Food Program feeds hundreds of thousands of neighbors in need each month.

An investment to combat hunger and food insecurity was made by County leadership and community partners. Council allocated $1.2M in funding to assist in the creation of the new warehouse, Senator Tim Kearney secured $500,000 in state funding, and the Foundation for Delaware County provided Share Food with a $100,000 grant to be used for the renovation of the new warehouse. 

Recent reports show that the number of Americans without enough food has doubled in Pennsylvania since October 2021. That includes many families in Delaware County. During the COVID-19 pandemic, additional SNAP allotments and other crucial safety nets kept residents afloat, but many of those have ended recently. Delaware County is now also experiencing record high rates of inflation, which makes it even harder for families who are working to make ends meet.

Having enough to eat and having healthy foods to eat is fundamental, not just to survival but also to long-term health and to every aspect of human and social development. Nutrition is a critical part of health and development. Better nutrition is related to improved infant, child and maternal health, stronger immune systems, safer pregnancy and childbirth, lower risk of non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, improved mental health, and longevity.

As the need for hunger relief continues to rise, so does the need to support community action and hunger-relief organizations like Share Food Program. Share Food Program works with 17 partner pantries in the Delaware County region and shares the County’s commitment to ensuring that all residents have nutritious, healthy, and life-sustaining food. 

For more information, visit the Share Food program website at www.sharefoodprogram.org.

Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor and Councilman Richard Womack were honored to join representatives from the Philadelphia Union and WSFS Bank on April 17 to break ground on a world-class sports and recreation facility.

The state-of-the-art sports complex will span 32 acres between Subaru Park and the Union Power Plant office building in Chester. The complex will include a 100,000 sq. ft. indoor facility that will be available for community use and an adjacent 70,000 sq. ft. support building that will house Philadelphia Union II (MLS NEXT Pro) as well as the Philadelphia Union Academy. The indoor facilities will include a 125x75 yard turf field, two multi-sport courts, an 8,000 sq. ft. performance center, 5,000 sq. ft. of flex space for specialized athletic training, and a café for athletes and guests. The indoor facility will be complemented by seven outdoor multi-sport fields including one championship grass field with spectator seating, two additional full-size grass fields, one youth-size grass field, and three full-size turf fields.

The project is estimated to create $90 million in economic impact over the first decade and provide 500,000 visits annually to the Chester Waterfront. The WSFS Bank Sportsplex is a significant step in the development and revitalization of the Chester Waterfront that will create additional jobs and drive a drastic increase in revenue in the Chester community. In addition, the project will bring the Philadelphia Union Academy and YSC Academy to one campus alongside the first and second teams, furthering the commitment to youth development and the player-to-pro pathway.

As the naming rights partner, WSFS Bank has also committed to donate 365 hours of field and facility usage to community organizations to continue efforts to strengthen community ties and provide a safe and welcoming campus for residents.

The outdoor fields are set to be in place by August 2023 and the indoor facilities to open May 2024.

This project is an example of the continued commitment and partnerships that lead to extensive positive changes for the Chester community. Council commends WSFS Bank and the Riverfront Alliance of Delaware County for their partnership with the Philadelphia Union. They are creating a legacy for the Chester community and sparking exciting and positive changes for the Chester waterfront.  

The Delaware County Health Department Holds Open House at the Wellness Center at Chester

The Delaware County Health Department (DCHD), in partnership with Delaware County Council and the Delaware County Black Caucus, will hold an Open House at the DCHD Wellness Center at Chester on Saturday, April 29, 2023, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. This event is an opportunity for the community to tour the newly modernized facility, located at 151 W. 5th St. in Chester and learn about the many Wellness Center services provided by DCHD. 

Visitors are invited to enjoy free treats from J&M Water Ice, public health giveaways, and the first 10 families to arrive will also receive a ShopRite gift card. DCHD staff members will be on hand to provide personalized tours of the updated facilities to families and individuals during designated times throughout the Open House.

“The revitalization of our Wellness Center at Chester is a symbol of our commitment to the people of Chester and its surrounding communities,” said Director Melissa Lyon. “The first step in helping people feel better is making them feel welcomed and invited into our Wellness Centers.”

DCHD currently operates two Wellness Centers, one in Chester and one in Yeadon.

Attendees can hear remarks from Delaware County Health Department Deputy Director Lora Werner, Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor, and Delaware County Black Caucus Health and Welfare Committee Chair, Angela White. Remarks will begin promptly at 12:30 p.m. 

Event parking is available on 5th Street or in the Penn Street parking lot (located in the rear of the building).

The Delaware County Redevelopment Authority (DCRDA) is soliciting feedback on the proposed policies and procedures for the Delaware County Land Bank. The Delaware County Redevelopment Authority became the appointed authority for the Delaware County Land Bank in 2022.

Land Banks are intended to reduce blight and spur economic development by transferring properties that are vacant, abandoned, and tax delinquent back to productive use in alignment with community goals and through creative leadership that engages key partners to leverage resources. The Delaware County Land Bank will prioritize strategic development for vacant and abandoned properties in the county. DCRDA has priority bidding at real estate tax sales, a streamlined process for lien discharge, and the ability to expedite quiet title proceedings.

“The County’s new land bank program gives us one more tool for improving our local communities by acquiring, redeveloping and returning blighted property to productive residential, recreational, commercial and industrial uses for our residents,” said Delaware County Council Vice Chair Elaine Paul Schaefer. “That return to a productive end use also returns properties to the tax rolls and reduces the tax burden shared by the residents of the community.”

The proposed policies and procedures will govern the administration and activity of the Land Bank in Delaware County. The policies cover the acquisition, disposition, and conveyance of properties and public input and communication. They will be reviewed at least every other year by the DCRDA Board of Directors.

The proposed policies and procedures can be found at www.delcopa.org/delcolandbank. The DCRDA is soliciting public comment on the policies and procedures through Friday, May 5 at 5:00 p.m. Comment can be registered via the comment form online at the above address or by emailing publiccomment@delcopa.org. 

Annual week of appreciation to take place April 23-29

Delaware County Council is excited to join Delaware County Libraries and the American Library Association (ALA) in recognition of National Library Week, celebrated this year from April 23 – 29 by more than 16,000 public libraries across the country. In addition to the county’s 26 member libraries, National Library Week will be celebrated by over 117,000 libraries nationwide, including public, private, and higher education school libraries, government libraries, and armed forces libraries providing materials and enriching educational services to all Americans. 

First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the ALA and is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation's libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support.  

This year’s National Library Week theme is “There’s More to the Story” which looks to remind us that while libraries are full of stories in a variety of formats from picture books to large print, audiobooks to ebooks (and more!) there's so much more to the story! 

Increasingly, libraries are multi-faceted, adding amazing resources and items that can be lent to the community — items like museum passes, games, musical instruments, tools — and sponsoring programs that bring the community together for entertainment, education, and connection through book clubs, storytimes, movie nights, crafting classes, and lectures. Library infrastructure advances empower communities, providing internet and technology access, literacy skills, and support for businesses, job seekers, and entrepreneurs. 

During National Library Week, Delaware County Libraries, along with libraries across the nation, will recognize several Celebration Days. Right to Read Day on Monday, April 24, is a National Day of Action in support of the right to read. The State of America's Libraries Report will be released by the ALA, including Top Ten Most Challenged Books of 2022. On Tuesday, April 25, National Library Workers Day will be recognized; a day for everyone to recognize the valuable contributions made by our amazing library workers.

Delaware County Libraries plans to recognize many long-time library employees—some of whom have worked for libraries for almost 50 years! Additional days of celebration can be found on the American Library Association website. 

Delaware County Libraries will also be making several announcements on their website and via social media about two exciting new services that will be rolled out in celebration of National Library Week.

How Residents Can Celebrate National Library Week

1. Visit your library! A complete list of Delaware County Library locations and hours of operation can be found at www.delcolibraries.org/our-libraries. All community members are encouraged to visit their local library during National Library Week to explore all they have to offer.  
2. Follow Delaware County Libraries’ social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter), and the hashtag #NationalLibraryWeek to join the online celebration. 
3. Share Your Library Story. Did you find inspiration in a book? Get help finding a job or starting a business? Have you made new friends at the library? If you want to share, post to the National Library Week’s Facebook page, and use the hashtags #MyLibraryStory. Don’t forget to tag your library!
4. Get a Library Card! Don’t have a library card? Visit any Delaware County library to sign up, or complete an online card registration. 

Delaware County Libraries: What We've Been Up To

Over the past year, Delaware County Library Services, under the direction of Director Catherine Bittle, has continued to expand, launching a new mobile app for residents, DelcoReads, establishing a partnership with Penn State University libraries; rolling out solar charging stations at select locations, and has continued to upgrade and renew technology though the successful awarding of grants and American Rescue Plan funds.

To highlight their offerings, Delaware County Libraries has created a short video, available on the County’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkMNtdulB20. 

Delaware County Libraries: Find More, Do More!

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has announced assistance through the Thriving Communities Program to help 64 communities across the country gain access to historic funding opportunities provided by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).

The Chester Economic Development Authority, through assistance from the Delaware County Planning Department and the Delaware County Commerce Center, was one of 64 communities across the nation to be named a recipient of the competitive program. 

The program provides two years of no-cost intensive technical assistance to under-resourced and disadvantaged communities to help identify, develop, and deliver transportation projects that strengthen communities. Thriving Communities funding will help selected communities get technical assistance for a variety of tasks – from preparing application materials and predevelopment activities, to deploying innovative community engagement, workforce development, and clean technology strategies. 

“The Thriving Communities assistance will support the leadership in Chester in working towards addressing quality of life and economic developmental needs that will benefit the Chester community,” said Delaware County Councilwoman Christine Reuther. “The program will give Chester leadership better access to federal funding for transportation projects that will create jobs, improve safety, and strengthen the economy in Chester.”

The Thriving Communities Program prioritized the selection of disadvantaged communities that are working to advance projects to improve health outcomes, reduce housing and transportation cost burdens and improve housing conditions, preserve or expand jobs, and increase reliable mobility options for disadvantaged communities and households to better access health care, food, education, and other essential destinations. 

“Chester has experienced a historic underinvestment and disadvantage for decades and the Thriving Communities Program offers technical assistance to explore innovative concepts and create a healthier, safer, and more sustainable community,” said Delaware County Council Vice Chair Elaine Paul Schaefer. “This program is an example of how communities, municipalities, and the County can work together to create a better Delco.”

Thriving Communities is part of the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to ensuring that all communities have an equal opportunity to benefit from federal infrastructure funding. USDOT’s technical assistance is part of the Thriving Communities Network, an interagency initiative among the Departments of Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Energy, Commerce, and Agriculture, as well as the General Services Administration, and the Environmental Protection Agency. 

More information about the Thriving Communities Program and selected communities is available here: https://www.transportation.gov/grants/thriving-communities

Voters reminded to properly complete their Vote-by-Mail ballot

The Delaware County Bureau of Elections completed the mailing of more than 28,000 vote-by-mail ballots (including both mail-in ballots and absentee ballots) on Thursday, April 20, for the upcoming May 16, 2023 Primary Election. The Bureau of Elections expects all vote-by-mail ballots to be delivered by the United States Postal Service (USPS) by no later than Monday, April 24. 

This mailing includes all vote-by-mail ballots for voters who submitted a vote-by-mail application by April 7. Voters who applied on or before April 7 should call the Delaware County Election Hotline at (610) 891-VOTE (8683) if they have not received their ballot in the mail by Monday, April 24. 

Additional Delaware County vote-by-mail ballots will be released in weekly batches as additional voters submit vote-by-mail applications through the Tuesday, May 9 application deadline. 

Delaware County voters who are casting a Vote-by-Mail ballot can return their completed ballot immediately through USPS (either through their mail carrier or at any USPS postal office). Voters can also cast their ballot immediately at the ballot drop box located on the ground floor of the Government Center Building, located at 201 W. Front Street in Media, until 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, May 16. The drop box is open 24 hours a day. 

Beginning Monday, May 1, voters will also be able to return their Vote-by-Mail ballot at any of the more than three dozen Delaware County ballot drop box sites located in municipalities across the county. Most drop box sites will be open 24/7. The complete list of sites, including hours of operation, are available at delcopa.gov/dropbox. Ballots must be received by the Delaware County Bureau of Elections by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, May 16.

Delaware County Elections reminds voters to properly mark, seal, and return their Vote-by-Mail ballot to ensure that the ballot can be counted. Voters must follow these steps:

1. Place the marked ballot in the white ‘Secrecy Envelope’ provided with the ballot (this envelope, per State Law, is marked “Official Ballot Envelope”).
2. Seal the Secrecy Envelope.
3. Place the sealed Secrecy Envelope into the Ballot Return Envelope.
4. Seal the Ballot Return Envelope.
5. Sign the declaration (on the back of the Ballot Return Envelope).
6. Enter today’s date where indicated (on the back of the Ballot Return Envelope).
7. Return the sealed Ballot Return Envelope through the US Postal Service (no postage needed), or at any Delaware County Ballot Drop Box. 

If a mistake is made in completing and sealing the ballot, voters can call the Delaware County Election Hotline at (610) 891-VOTE (8683) for guidance. Voters can also visit the Delaware County Voter Service Center in Media to receive a replacement ballot or envelope. 

As a reminder, Vote-by-Mail ballots are sent only to those voters who have completed and signed an application to vote by mail in 2023, which must include valid ID. Applications are available on the Delco Votes! website. Voters may verify the status of their ballot on the PA Department of State website at vote.pa.gov/MailBallotStatus.

Delaware County registered voters who apply for a vote-by-mail ballot but do not receive their ballot within 5 business days are asked to contact the Delaware County Election Hotline at (610) 891-VOTE (8683).

Voters must only return their own ballot. The only exception is to assist a disabled voter or an emergency absentee voter, which requires a declaration form signed by the voter and by the person returning the ballot. This form is available on the Delco Votes! website at delcopa.gov/dropbox.

The County Office of Services for the Aging (COSA), in partnership with the Surrey Center for Healthy Living Delaware County and the PA Department of Aging, is again offering the acclaimed Chronic Pain Self-Management Program for residents 60 years of age and older who live with chronic pain. 

A staggering 1 in 5 people live with chronic pain, which can impact all aspects of a person’s life, causing physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual distress. 

Chronic Pain Self-Management aims to give people control over how they deal with their pain. Individuals are the experts with regards to their own bodies and therefore, play the biggest role in managing their pain in partnership with their healthcare providers. 

The acclaimed evidence-based program, developed at Stanford University, provides older adults with tools and strategies to effectively deal with chronic pain or chronic disease.

The program will address how to deal with frustration, fatigue, isolation, and poor sleep; provide learning exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and endurance; discuss how to use medications effectively; examine the impact of good nutrition; and spotlight new treatments for chronic pain.

The program will be held in-person at Surrey Center for Healthy Living Delaware County, 505 Parkway Drive, in Broomall, on Tuesdays from May 2 through June 6, from 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Chronic Pain Self-Management Program

Tuesdays, May 2 – June 6

10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

The program is free, but space is limited, and registration is required.

To register, contact Ellen Williams, COSA’s Health and Wellness Program Manager, by email at williamse@co.delaware.pa.us or by phone at (610) 499-1937 and provide your name, address, phone number and email if you have one.

The Delaware County Health Department (DCHD) and the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital are partnering to bring Delaware County a ‘Day of Breast Cancer Awareness,’ providing women with free mammogram screenings at the Delaware County Wellness Center in Yeadon, on Monday, May 8, from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

While 1 out of 8 women will get breast cancer in their lifetime, 99 out of 100 people survive breast cancer if tests happen at an early stage when cancer treatment has better results. The older you are, the higher your risk of breast and cervical cancer. 

Breast cancer, like many cancers, often has no warning signs, and early detection is the best protection. Regular screening tests can find cancer early when treatment has better results and can prevent breast cancer from developing.

All women ages 40 and over, with and without insurance, and with no prior diagnosis of breast cancer, are eligible to register. Limited appointments for the mammogram screenings are available, and registration is required. Registrants will also be able to speak with DCHD staff, tour the Wellness Center, and discuss other health services that are offered by DCHD to Delaware County residents.

To register for the screening, call the Delaware County Wellness Line at (484) 276-2100, or request an appointment by email at DelcoWellness@co.delaware.pa.us. Registration takes only a few minutes, and all registered individuals will receive a confirmation call back.

The Delaware County Department of Human Services will hold a Career Fair on Tuesday, April 25, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at the Delaware County Intermediate Unit (DCIU) in Morton, PA. 

Open positions include County Caseworkers, Social Service Aides, Program Specialists, Fiscal Technicians, Fiscal Officers, Clerks, and Clerk Typists.

Open positions offer competitive pay, a $3,000 recruitment/retention incentive, robust leave benefits, excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage, life insurance, a pension plan, mileage reimbursement, tuition reimbursement, public student loan forgiveness, and discounted public tuition for select educational programs.

Delaware County Human Services Career Fair Details

Delaware County Human Services Career Fair

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Delaware County Intermediate Unit

200 Yale Avenue, Morton, PA 19070 (Rooms 150 & 151)

Interested job seekers can contact Daniel Heiland for additional information by email at heilandd@delcohsa.org.

More about the Department of Human Services

The Department of Human Services was established in 1978 under the Home Rule Charter as an umbrella organization responsible for the delivery of coordinated human services and for establishing an administrative structure encompassing services to children, youth, adults, and families with special needs.

The Department of Human Services is comprised of the following offices: Adult and Family Services, Children and Youth Services, Drug and Alcohol, Early Intervention, Early Learning Resource Center – Region 15, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, and Mental Health.

For more information about the Department of Human Services, go to https://delcohsa.org.

The PA CareerLink® Delaware County, in partnership with Delaware County’s Office of Workforce Development, is hosting a youth job fair on Thursday, April 27, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Ridley Area YMCA, located at 900 South Avenue, in Secane, PA. 

The job fair will feature close to 40 businesses located in Delaware County and the surrounding area looking to fill hundreds of summer jobs, internships, and first job opportunities. Young job seekers will have the opportunity to meet with Human Resources professionals from small and large companies. 

Representatives from manufacturing, the hospitality industry, retirement communities, financial services, and healthcare will be in attendance. 

Job Seekers: Bring Your Resume!

Job seekers are to dress professionally and to bring copies of their resume. On-site interviews and hiring may occur for some positions. Job seekers can also visit the Job Readiness & Resource Table for information on obtaining PA Minor Work Permits, helpful resume advice, as well as general job search and interview tips.

Employers: Reserve Your Space Today!

Additional employers continue to be added. Employers interested in registering can email Tanya Harris at TanyaHarris@edsisolutions.com. There are no fees to participate; employers will be provided with one table and two chairs.

Current Slate of Employers

There are currently 32 business registered for the job fair, with nearly a dozen more expected to confirm attendance in the coming week. Employers include:

1-800-Got-Junk?®, All About Children Child Care, American Wood Design, Bayada (Media Office), Burlington Coat Factory, Carrabba’s, Chester Community Charter, ChildCare Careers, Choice Linens, Center for Academic Support & Student Enrichment, Drexelbrook, EDSI, Galantino , Giant Food Stores, Good Samaritan Health Care, Granny’s Helping Hands, Great Valley Pool Service, Harrah's, Independence National Park, Journey Life Insurance, Kelly Education, Kind Hearts Home Care, Liberty Coca-Cola, Marquis Health Consulting Services, School District of Philadelphia, Sesame Place, Swarthmore College, U.S. Air Force, Upper Darby School District, United Parcel Service, the U.S. Army, and the YMCA.

Delaware County Govt Official 2023 Calendar

Meet your Delaware County Council members

The Delaware County Health Department website