City outlines opportunities for City residents and businesses to join in the effort
Philadelphia – Ten days since the clean-up began, the City is pleased to report steady progress on the remediation of the Conrail property in Kensington-Fairhill. The Streets Department has collected over 250 tons of waste and debris from the Conrail property since July 31, and clean-up continues throughout the property.
During the clean-up, a “social services hub” is operating at Tusculum and A Streets, offering addiction services, screening for housing, referrals for behavioral health services, mental health first aid, medical treatment referrals for wound care and first aid, testing and medical treatment for HIV and Hepatitis C, ID access, and benefits access. From July 31 to August 7, the following services have been provided from this site and another temporary site that was set up at 2nd and Indiana for the first few days of the clean-up:
- Keystone First facilitated over 60+ blood pressure screenings
- Congreso and Kensington Hospital conducted a total of 78 HIV tests and 44 Hepatitis C tests
- 141 individuals met with outreach workers, and 50 were referred to treatment services
- The Salvation Army distributed over 750 lunches/snacks
As the clean up continues in the weeks ahead, the City also encourages neighbors who see someone in need of immediate medical attention to call 911. Neighbors are also asked to report vacant cars, abandoned homes, illegal dumping, graffiti, street lighting issues, and inadequate syringe disposals to 311.
If residents encounter someone in need of shelter, they should call 215-232-1984, which operates 24 hours a day. Anyone requiring mental health services can call 215-685-6440.
Anyone who wants to support the effort, even if they don’t live in the area, is encouraged to attend the next El Barrio es Nuestro community meeting, August 22nd, 5:30pm at HACE, 200 E. Somerset Street.