Many of you work within programs advocating for clients in critical need and have seen the ways in which COVID-19 has compounded the risks and threats faced by the populations you serve. The JFCS Squirrel Hill Food Pantry’s SOS Pittsburgh program works with many clients each year improving their access to critical needs services. We believe our Let’s Talk! Series engages caseworkers by providing additional information and resources in regards to social service provision that can help support you and the clients you serve.

Come and join us for a discussion with speakers Juanita Gale from the PA Public Utilities Commission and Michael Selep from Duquesne Light who will be discussing the current utility protections and resources available for individuals and families struggling with the financial impact of COVID-19. In this ever-changing environment, the more information we have, the better we can serve our clients. We hope this event will provide useful information for you and your clients and will provide a networking opportunity for you to share your knowledge and experience with one another.

Once you register, you will be sent a Zoom link to the event closer to the date. If you would like to forward this invitation to a colleague, please contact Samantha Monks at smonksjfcspgh.org so she can add your colleague to our email list.

We hope to virtually see you there!

Juanita Gale is the Information Specialist at the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission (PUC). The PUC regulates essential utility services that Commonwealth residents and businesses rely on every day. The PUC’s mission is “to balance the needs of consumers and utilities; ensure safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protect the public interest; educate consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; further economic development; and foster new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.” Juanita will be speaking to us about how the PUC functions and relates to local utility companies and what resources and protections are available to our clients from varying backgrounds and with diverse needs.

Michael Selep is the Manager of Universal Services at Duquesne Light. For over 135 years, Duquesne Light has delivered “reliable and safe energy to more than half a million customers in the Pittsburgh region using next generation energy technology”. Michael will be speaking with us about the most recent protections and resources available to clients through Duquesne Light during COVID-19.