Brandon Trombetta, Executive Director of Keystone Opportunity Center discussed its simple mission, to help individuals and families achieve long-term stability and independence through integrated services in case management, education, food, and housing.  Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Souderton, Keystone annually supports more than 5000 families and individuals in need through a array of social services that educate, encourage, and empower them to become self-sufficient members of their community. Programs and services include housing the homeless, combatting food insecurity, and providing free comprehensive adult education services to the residents of the Souderton Area School District, Montgomery and Bucks Counties. 

Working with partner agencies, case managers assist clients with wrap-around services, helping them with applying for rental, utility, and food assistance, caring for 
urgent needs such as transportation or emergency shelter, navigating health care, job training, and other local services and helping set goals toward independence.

Keystone’s Adult Education Department offers free programs including English as a Second Language (ESL), literacy, English and civics classes for Naturalization preparation and courses leading to High School Equivalency (GED/HiSET) diploma-tracks.  
Addressing hunger, he described Keystone food assistance programs, the 
Souderton Food Pantry which is open to income-eligible residents of the Souderton Area School District and Fresh For All, a weekly drive-through produce distribution in partnership with Philabundance. 
He also discussed housing, they offer short-term assistance and mediation to help residents avoid eviction, and provide case management help with transitioning from temporary to permanent housing. They also own and manage 18 affordable rental units throughout Montgomery County.

To learn more or to volunteer or donate call 215-723-5430 or go to KeystoneOpportunity.org

Brandon Trombetta, Executive Director of Keystone Opportunity Center discussed its simple mission, to help individuals and families achieve long-term stability and independence through integrated services in case management, education, food, and housing. &nbsp;Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Souderton, Keystone annually supports more than 5000 families and individuals in need through a array of social services that educate, encourage, and empower them to become self-sufficient members of their community. Programs and services include housing the homeless, combatting food insecurity, and providing free comprehensive adult education services to the residents of the Souderton Area School District, Montgomery and Bucks Counties.&nbsp;
Working with partner agencies, case managers assist clients with wrap-around services, helping them with applying for rental, utility, and food assistance, caring for&nbsp; urgent needs such as transportation or emergency shelter, navigating health care, job training, and other local services and helping set goals toward independence.
Keystone&rsquo;s Adult Education Department offers free programs including English as a Second Language (ESL), literacy, English and civics classes for Naturalization preparation and courses leading to High School Equivalency (GED/HiSET) diploma-tracks. &nbsp; Addressing hunger, he described Keystone food assistance programs, the&nbsp; Souderton Food Pantry which is open to income-eligible residents of the Souderton Area School District and Fresh For All, a weekly drive-through produce distribution in partnership with Philabundance.&nbsp; He also discussed housing, they offer short-term assistance and mediation to help residents avoid eviction, and provide case management help with transitioning from temporary to permanent housing. They also own and manage 18 affordable rental units throughout Montgomery County.
To learn more or to volunteer or donate call 215-723-5430 or go to <a href="https://www.KeystoneOpportunity.org">KeystoneOpportunity.org</a>

Our Delaware Valley introduces you to the people and organizations making a difference in our community, from health and safety issues to education, employment, and even entertainment opportunities.

Our Delaware Valley looks for solutions and positive action to make our region a better place to call home.

Our Delaware Valley Podcast

Our Delaware Valley

Keystone Opportunity Center

Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) Director A.J. Schall discussed their charge, coordinating the State’s efforts to prepare, respond and recover from emergencies, including hurricanes, flooding, chemical spills or accidents.

Preparing involves us and he advises us make a plan, have a kit ready for evacuation or sheltering in place, have an emergency contact list and a meeting point, download their apps and have a charger ready. He discussed the importance of insurance and the economic impact of disasters on the community.

To help us get ready, DEMA is hosting their 19th Annual Family Preparedness Day Saturday, September 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Brecknock County Park, 80 Old Camden Road in Camden, Delaware. This FREE event features fun, family-friendly educational activities, and safety demonstrations in observance of National Preparedness Month. Food, music, raffles and photo opportunities with firetrucks and helicopters and with beloved safety mascots and K-9 service dogs round out the fun. The event and onsite parking are free to the public, and the first 500 people to complete an activity challenge can earn a free treat from Kona Ice. It’s rain or shine.

The event will feature more than 40 public safety agencies, nonprofits, and utilities that provide adults and children of all ages a chance to interact with and learn from first responders and safety experts in a fun, family-friendly environment. There will be Make-A-Kit activities to raise awareness of the importance of emergency kits and go bags, a car seat safety check sponsored by the Delaware Office of Highway Safety, Hands Only CPR presented by Kent County Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Stop the Bleed classes from Bayhealth Healthcare and the Department of Safety and Homeland Security will feature an Impaired Driver Simulator.

DEMA is also relaunching the free Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) offering residents classroom instruction in emergency preparedness and disaster response along with hands-on activities and simulations to prepare them to render basic support in the critical time before first responders arrive.

Get valuable information about disaster preparation at PrepareDe.org and to learn more about CERT and DEMA go to DEMA.DELAWARE.gov

Not in Delaware? Every state has a Department of Emergency Management available through your state's portal.

 

Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) Director A.J. Schall discussed their charge, coordinating the State&rsquo;s efforts to prepare, respond and recover from emergencies, including hurricanes, flooding, chemical spills or accidents.
Preparing involves us and he advises us make a plan, have a kit ready for evacuation or sheltering in place, have an emergency contact list and a meeting point, download their apps and have a charger ready. He discussed the importance of insurance and the economic impact of disasters on the community.
To help us get ready, DEMA is hosting their 19th Annual Family Preparedness Day Saturday, September 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Brecknock County Park, 80 Old Camden Road in Camden, Delaware. This FREE event features fun, family-friendly educational activities, and safety demonstrations in observance of National Preparedness Month. Food, music, raffles and photo opportunities with firetrucks and helicopters and with beloved safety mascots and K-9 service dogs round out the fun. The event and onsite parking are free to the public, and the first 500 people to complete an activity challenge can earn a free treat from Kona Ice. It&rsquo;s rain or shine.
The event will feature more than 40 public safety agencies, nonprofits, and utilities that provide adults and children of all ages a chance to interact with and learn from first responders and safety experts in a fun, family-friendly environment. There will be Make-A-Kit activities to raise awareness of the importance of emergency kits and go bags, a car seat safety check sponsored by the Delaware Office of Highway Safety, Hands Only CPR presented by Kent County Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Stop the Bleed classes from Bayhealth Healthcare and the Department of Safety and Homeland Security will feature an Impaired Driver Simulator.
DEMA is also relaunching the free Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) offering residents classroom instruction in emergency preparedness and disaster response along with hands-on activities and simulations to prepare them to render basic support in the critical time before first responders arrive.
Get valuable information about disaster preparation at <a href="http://www.PrepareDe.org">PrepareDe.org</a> and to learn more about CERT and DEMA go to<a href="http://www.DEMA.Delaware.gov"> DEMA.DELAWARE.gov</a>
Not in Delaware? Every state has a Department of Emergency Management available through your state's portal.
&nbsp;

DEMA presents a Family Preparedness Day

Zabeth Teelucksigh, President of the Global Philadelphia Association discussed the association that acts as liaison between the city, the Organization of World Heritage Cities and the 200 area cultural organizations that make Philadelphia a dynamic, international city.  She discussed Philadelphia’s multi-cultural vibe, their slogan is ‘Meet the World Here,’ showcasing the incredible opportunities to enjoy the foods, shopping, arts and religious offerings from countries around the world.  Events and programs can be accessed easily at their website with their Global Directory. 

We discussed the great advantages Philadelphia has to offer its residents and visitors.  A World Heritage City thanks to Independence Hall, the Greater Philadelphia area has 67 interesting National Historic Landmarks selected by the National Park Service, all with incredible stories to tell, as well as fabulous museums that soon include the garden museum celebrating Alexander Calder.  

On September 3, 2025 Global Philadelphia will host the 10th Annual World Heritage City  Celebration, the anniversary of Philadelphia’s historic designation as America’s first World Heritage City. The evening recognizes a decade of global connection, local pride, and transformative milestones and honors David L. Cohen, the United States Ambassador to Canada from 2021-2025 with the Distinguished Global Leadership award.  Tickets are available at their website.

Zabeth also talked about the events and offerings they are hosting for 2026, including the expansion of April 18th’s International Day of Monuments and Sites into a month-long celebration honoring our heritage, diversity, community, and the environment.  She notes that they will complete their United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals campaign; murals and art supporting the 17 identified goals towards attaining a sustainable city while supporting economically our local communities.  

For more information about membership, events, family opportunities or the 10th Annual World Heritage City Celebration go to globalphilly.org.

Zabeth Teelucksigh, President of the Global Philadelphia Association discussed the association that acts as liaison between the city, the Organization of World Heritage Cities and the 200 area cultural organizations that make Philadelphia a dynamic, international city. &nbsp;She discussed Philadelphia&rsquo;s multi-cultural vibe, their slogan is &lsquo;Meet the World Here,&rsquo; showcasing the incredible opportunities to enjoy the foods, shopping, arts and religious offerings from countries around the world. &nbsp;Events and programs can be accessed easily at their website with their <a href="https://globalphiladelphia.org/global-directory">Global Directory</a>.&nbsp;
We discussed the great advantages Philadelphia has to offer its residents and visitors.&nbsp; A World Heritage City thanks to Independence Hall, the Greater Philadelphia area has 67 interesting National Historic Landmarks selected by the National Park Service, all with incredible stories to tell, as well as fabulous museums that soon include the garden museum celebrating Alexander Calder.&nbsp;&nbsp;
On September 3, 2025 Global Philadelphia will host the 10th Annual World Heritage City&nbsp; Celebration, the anniversary of Philadelphia&rsquo;s historic designation as America&rsquo;s first World Heritage City. The evening recognizes a decade of global connection, local pride, and transformative milestones and honors David L. Cohen, the United States Ambassador to Canada from 2021-2025 with the Distinguished Global Leadership award. &nbsp;<a href="https://globalphiladelphia.org/world-heritage-city-celebration">Tickets are available at their website</a>.
Zabeth also talked about the events and offerings they are hosting for 2026, including the expansion of April 18th&rsquo;s International Day of Monuments and Sites into a month-long celebration honoring our heritage, diversity, community, and the environment. &nbsp;She notes that they will complete their United Nation&rsquo;s Sustainable Development Goals campaign; murals and art supporting the 17 identified goals towards attaining a sustainable city while supporting economically our local communities.&nbsp;&nbsp;
For more information about membership, events, family opportunities or the 10th Annual World Heritage City Celebration go to <a href="https://globalphiladelphia.org/">globalphilly.org</a>.

Global Philadelphia Association celebrates American's first World Heritage City

Valerie Gay discussed Philadelphia’s newest office, Creative Philadelphia, overseeing the city’s arts and culture and its creative economy.

She discussed how it will offer opportunities for all Philadelphians to thrive through the arts. Known before as the Office of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, their goals are to increase public access to arts and culture, partner with local creative communities and highlight to us and to the world the city’s vast cultural assets.  Ms Gay points out the arts don’t just enrich us, they help create a safer, cleaner, and greener city where creatives can thrive both socially and economically.  

We spoke about the upcoming influx of tourists for 2026, and the need for Philadelphia itself to recognize its amazing cultural holdings.

We discussed some of the city’s better known assets, the City Hall rotating gallery, the outdoor art supported by the mandatory developers % for arts and the Mural Arts programs, and then local neighborhood projects and programs that don’t get the attention. She described community installations such as Healing Verse Germantown and the Paschalville Library Mushroom Seating.
For artists, she talked about the Percent for Art Call for Artists looking for submissions for projects such as the Constitution Health Plaza: Public Health Lab.   Finally, we talked about the master plan they are preparing to release this coming May, defining assets and outlining the infrastructures for the future for the office and the creative communities.   Learn more at creativephl.org.

Valerie Gay discussed Philadelphia&rsquo;s newest office, Creative Philadelphia, overseeing the city&rsquo;s arts and culture and its creative economy.
She discussed how it will offer opportunities for all Philadelphians to thrive through the arts. Known before as the Office of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, their goals are to increase public access to arts and culture, partner with local creative communities and highlight to us and to the world the city&rsquo;s vast cultural assets. &nbsp;Ms Gay points out the arts don&rsquo;t just enrich us, they help create a safer, cleaner, and greener city where creatives can thrive both socially and economically. &nbsp;
We spoke about the upcoming influx of tourists for 2026, and the need for Philadelphia itself to recognize its amazing cultural holdings.
We discussed some of the city&rsquo;s better known assets, the City Hall rotating gallery, the outdoor art supported by the mandatory developers % for arts and the Mural Arts programs, and then local neighborhood projects and programs that don&rsquo;t get the attention. She described community installations such as Healing Verse Germantown and the Paschalville Library Mushroom Seating. For artists, she talked about the Percent for Art Call for Artists looking for submissions for projects such as the Constitution Health Plaza: Public Health Lab.&nbsp; &nbsp;Finally, we talked about the master plan they are preparing to release this coming May, defining assets and outlining the infrastructures for the future for the office and the creative communities.&nbsp; &nbsp;Learn more at <a href="https://www.creativephl.org/">creativephl.org.</a>

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