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Polish American Social Services “PASS”
United Social Services Outreach Program Main Office: 308 Walnut Street • Philadelphia, PA 19106 Open Monday to Friday • 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. Telephone: (215) 923-1900 Outreach Services in and around the Philadelphia area If you, a family member, or friend have a question concerning social services, call PASS and discuss your needs with a representative. All calls are CONFIDENTIAL, and PASS will either give you the information you need, handle your service directly, or refer you to the agency that can assist you. An Update On “PASS” and its Community Outreach Services Effective and Efficient Agency PASS has earned a reputation as a highly effective and efficient component of the social services delivery system in the Philadelphia area due to its comprehensive benefits counseling, information/referral, and advocacy services to constituents. Its unique contribution to social services is that it addresses the needs of a largely under-served community with language and cultural barriers that block access to programs and services that build constituents’ self-sufficiency, self-esteem, and overall physical and mental well being. A Community Resource For Thousands PASS, also known as United Social Services, is a multi-service agency with a thorough knowledge of numerous resources and the flexibility to meet varied and complex constituent needs. In addition to assisting constituents from the Polish/Slavic community in Southeastern Pennsylvania, PASS is a referral point for six additional ethnic groups and receives referrals from over 70 organizations. The efficient sharing of comprehensive resources and services with people of all ages saves time and money and provides a reliable point of contact for those in need. Who Benefits From “PASS” United Social Services? Each year, thousands of Philadelphia-area residents benefit from income-enhancing programs, such as rent/property tax rebates, PACE, utility discounts, and many other programs. PASS’s services help individuals to add as much as one full month’s worth of income each year, allowing them to weather occasional financial crises and live healthier lives. The end result is fewer trips to the doctor and less stress over the rising cost of maintaining their homes. PASS Helps Save Money PASS works with thousands of constituents annually, saving government and agencies millions of dollars in the long run. Through the efforts of PASS’s staff, individual constituents could receive up to $1,000 in benefits from various income enhancing programs. These rebate programs allow them to stretch their annual budget, add to the economy and help them remain more self-sufficient. Approximately 90% of PASS’s constituents manage to remain self-sufficient and in their own homes. Ongoing PASS Program Objectives Include:
A Strong Bond With Constituents Although PASS has established a strong bond with thousands of Philadelphia-area constituents, the current economic crisis requires a dramatic expansion of the agency’s outreach to constituents who have not needed the agency’s services till now. As residents approach retirement age, or as current retirees experience both rapidly diminishing financial resources and failing health, they find themselves in unexpectedly dire circumstances, not knowing where to turn for help. Even neighbors and relatives who have assumed a caretaker role are ignorant of available services and resources. Often they are suspicious of government bureaucracy or reluctant to “go on welfare related programs” and seek help from PASS. PASS Has a Well Established Outreach Network Because of PASS’s positive reputation in the community and its access to multiple media outlets, including radio, neighborhood churches and organizations, local newspapers, the Polish American News, and a website, PASS is the ideal one-stop point of contact. PASS staff is pleased to provide direct assistance to constituents and referrals to other services, as needed, to help them retain their self-sufficiency during these difficult times. |