Deb Kish-Silver and Bob Byrne outlined the goals of the Interfaith Hospitality Network at a recent meeting of the Take Back Your Neighborhood civic associ-ation.
The agency is focusing on Northeast neighborhoods in the 19124, 19136 and 19149 ZIP codes, where there have been high numbers of foreclosures.
Two homeless families are living at Oxford Circle Mennonite Church for the month of October. Previously, they each spent a month at Faith Lutheran Church and Rhawnhurst Presbyterian Church.
The group is looking for volunteers to cook a meal, be a dinner companion or serve as an overnight host. Call 215–247–4663 or go to philashelter.org
In other news from the Sept. 24 meeting:
• Sgt. William Whartenby, of the 2nd Police District, listened to a variety of complaints.
Neighbors mentioned stolen tires on the 1500 block of Devereaux Ave., loose dogs at Max Myers Playground, drug sales on the 1400 block of Stevens St., illegal commercial truck parking on the 2100 block of Magee Ave. and unnecessary police questioning of teenagers.
Whartenby said bicycle officers are a key part of the crimefighting effort in the 2nd district. He added that all officers are on the lookout for curfew violators at night.
“Our captain is vigilant that we have high curfew numbers,” he said.
Whartenby told neighbors to call the district at 215–686–3020 to report neighborhood issues so officers can hear about them at daily roll call sessions.
• Attorney Lorrie McKinley, who handles disability, employment and education law, addressed the crowd. She welcomed inquiries to her office at 610–436–6060.
• Cheryl Gargiulo, a recreation leader at Max Myers Playground, leads ballet and tap dance classes for girls ages 5 to 16. The class meets every Monday at 6 p.m. The cost is $20 per month.
Gargiulo is a longtime dance teacher and former USO performer, Eagles cheerleader and Radio City Music Hall Rockette. Call 215–685–1242.
• Ivy Smith will lead a new Girls Scouts troop based at Max Myers Playground. There is no fee. Call 267–632–3626.
• Rhawnhurst Naturally Occurring Retirement Community is looking for volunteers for its annual winterization day on Nov. 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Volunteers perform minor home repairs, lawn cleanup and other chores for senior citizens living in the 19111, 19149 and 19152 ZIP codes.
To sign up, contact NORC program manager Abby Gilbert at 215–320–0351 or agilbert@jfgp.org. ••
