July 13, 2020

To:

The Honorable Jim Kenney, Mayor

Liz Hersh, Director of Office of Homeless Services

Brian Abernathy, City Managing Director

Members of City Council

We, the undersigned, are professionals who work with Philadelphians experiencing homelessness.  We sign this letter in support of the James Talib Dean Encampment on the Parkway demands and implore you not to evict its residents.

We are activists, counselors, formerly homeless persons, harm reductionists, outreach workers, peer specialists, residential and treatment support staff, social workers, therapists, and others under the umbrella of social services. We work directly with people in the Philadelphia homeless community.

We bear witness to the caring, mutual aid, survival and resilience taking place at the encampment. We lift up the autonomy and advocacy of this encampment as an alternative to the limited and unsafe options currently available through the Office of Homeless Services. The camp meets needs not currently being met by city systems: housing with the ability to socially distance, community support, resource distribution and a platform for self-advocacy. When houseless members of our community speak, you must listen and change your approach.

According to the Office of Housing and Urban Development, Black Americans are three times more likely to experience homelessness than white Americans. Housing is one way that Black Americans have been historically oppressed. Addressing housing insecurity must be a part of how as governing officials you demonstrate that Black Lives Matter.

Over the past three years, the Office of Homeless Services has continued to impose housing options and evictions on people trying to survive in camps similar to James Talib Dean instead of allowing the residents of these encampments to dictate their own choices. The homeless population continues to grow and homeless persons and advocates have said these evictions are traumatizing and do not lead to housing.

As professionals committed to care and advocacy, we say that continuing this ineffective course of action is unacceptable. The encampment demands are reasonable, just and with your support, attainable.

The James Talib Dean Encampment and the larger #OccupyPHA movement is calling attention to the lack of accessible, self-selected and safe housing in the city of Philadelphia and disproportionately for Black Philadelphians. This call embodies the core values in our field: self determination, dignity and justice.

The housing insecurity of Philadelphians is a multipronged issue encompassing the rising rents, the inefficiency and ineffectiveness of PHA housing units, the lack of subsidized housing, decline in home ownership in places where families have lived for generations, lack of stability in housing, increase in homelessness and lack of client determination and choices in the homeless service system.

Dismantling the collective work by members of the homeless community and their allies in the James Talib Dean Encampment would not only be dehumanizing, it would be dangerous. The Center for Disease Control and the National Alliance to End Homelessness have recommended leaving tent communities during the pandemic because of the damaging impact evictions would have. As city officials you must abide by the recommendations of national experts in health and in homeless services in order to protect its residents.

Mayor of Philadelphia Kenney, City Manager Abernathy, and City Council Members, you have made  individual and collective public statements valuing Black lives. (Joint Statement from Mayor’s and City Advisory Commissions on Protests in Philadelphia | Mayor's Commission on Asian American Affairs ) To demonstrate that these statements have substance, you must move beyond words and produce meaningful policy responses and allocate resources. Black lives at the intersection of extreme poverty, housing insecurity and police violence are overrepresented in Philadelphia’s homeless population. To truly care about Black lives is to provide housing, resources and safety. This is what the camp residents have asked for and we are asking for them to be heard.

You have an opportunity to demonstrate good faith and solidarity with Philadelphians calling for action in response to our city's legacy of housing injustice and violence against Black Philadelphians.  Remove the threat of eviction. Show us that you care about Philadelphians experiencing homelessness. Show us that Black lives matter.

Take immediate action to meet encampment demands.

SIGN YOUR NAME AND ROLE IN THE HELPING PROFESSIONS BELOW

1. Leah Yarmus, social worker and activist
2. Casey Bohrman, social worker and social work professor
3. Sarah Gawricki, case manager and activist
4. Áine NiShionnaigh, Behavioral therapist and activist.
5. Alex Harris, Programs Manager and Activist
6. Renée Gavitt, therapist and activist
7. Abdul-Aliy Abdullah Muhammad, organizer & writer
8. Brooke M. Feldman, social worker and activist
9. Jamaal Henderson, Activist and organizer
10. Adrienne Standley, activist and organizer
11. Carol O’Neill, Activist and Organizer
12. Courtney Lane Harm Reductionist,Advocate for the underserved
13. Sydney Rae Chin, Sex Educator and Activist
14. Taylor Accooe, Social Worker and Activist
15. Lisa Kelley, Artist, Activist, Harm Reductionist
16. Kathryn Milholland, Harm Reductionist, Organizer
17. Rosa Friedman, case manager and harm reductionist
18. Dina Yarmus, educator
19. Jennifer Deuel,  Medical Social Worker, Activist, Therapist
20. Katie Leisher, Social worker, activist
21. Evan Dubchansky, Licensed Social Worker
22. Cynthia Munger, activist, harm reductionist
23.  Joseph Beinlich, Case Manager
24. Rosemary Cohen, social worker
25. Robin DeBates, clinical social worker and program manager
26. Andrew Chelius, social worker
27. Thom Clancy, social worker
28. Öykü Potuoglu Cook, social worker
29. Jonah Rosen, Social Worker
30. Torr Mundy, Social Worker
31. Ben Adiletto, social worker
32. Billy Ray Boyer, harm reduction organizer and recovery specialist
33. Katherine Tkaczyk, educator
34. Eli Heller, social worker, trauma therapist
35. Lori Zaspel, social worker
36. Ben Cocchiaro, Family Physician, Lecturer
37. Claudia Gallego, therapist, social worker and activist
38. Mae Carlson, social worker, researcher
39. Nicole Cohen, social worker
40. Samantha Daniels, social worker
41. Bridget Biddle, social worker
42. Jessie Buckner, Harm Reductionist, Activist
43. Katherine Scholle, social worker and program manager
44. Jesse Telles, social worker
45. Cara Tratner, reentry social worker
46. Anemone Schlotterbeck, social worker
47. Laura Violet Miller, social worker and educator
48. Arielle Narva, social worker, PDPH program manager
49. Rachel Frome, social worker
50. Anna Rhoades, BSW
51. Marla DiMercurio, LCSW
52. Sally Eberhardt, social worker and social work professor
53. Charmaine Ensinger, LMFT, MHOP Clinical Supervisor
54. Antar Bush, Social Work Public Health Advocate
55. Jocelyn Bookman, Social Worker
56. Maisy Hughes, LMFT, therapist, Social work researcher
57. Faith Bartley, Human Services student@Harcum, Social Justice Advocate
58. Madelaine Guss, Social Worker
59. Joe Cox,  bike messenger/non profit founder/ activist
60. Julie Rosen, Community Advocate/Educator
61. Shell Myers, MFT
62. Veronica Rex Casemanager
63. Dexter Rose, social worker
64. Caroline Bourscheid, harm reductionist, activist, former outreach worker and service coordinator
65. Kiasha Huling, social worker
66. Max Lovitz-Wolfson, Spanish and Portuguese interpreter and translator
67. Edwin Matos Jr, case manager
68. Grace Ng, Medical Student
69. Kelly Smack, Social Worker
70. Courtney Weintraub, Registered Nurse, medic around JTD Camp
71.  Amber Howard, Case Manager, MSW Student
72.  Roosevelt Howard, Case Manager, Advocate
73.  Elliot Goodenough, physician
74. Rachel Fox, Physician Assistant
75.  Sean Pepley, Social Worker & Therapist
76. Lauren Welch, Registered Nurse
77. Susanne Johnson, Family Nurse Practitioner, medic around JTD Camp
78. Shannon Morgan, social worker
79. Kayla Orenstein, Registered Nurse
80. Kay McGuffin, social worker
81. Nyomi Thompson, social worker
82. Marie Kelly, Registered Nurse
83. Stephen Landis, homeless services program lead and advocate
84. Samantha Stroup, Nursing student
85. Shira Alberts, Registered Nurse
86. Amanda Geraci, LCSW, Dual diagnosis therapist, harm reductionist, resources organizer
87. Mary Craighead, Harm Reductionist, Activist
88. Christine Zacchei, Clinical Social Worker
89. Gina Cocchiaro, student nurse, former shelter social worker
90. Samya Abu-Orf, Graduate Nurse
91. Rebekeh Packer, shelter case worker
92. Sherie Ruppersberger, social worker
93. Jessie Axsom, Registered Nurse
94. Zachary Maichuk, Clinical Psychologist
95. Brittany von Hausch, Registered Nurse, student Nurse Midwife
96. Lauren Ladner, activist
97. Kristin Maguire, case manager
98. Sophia Frankenfield, Student Nurse
99. Margaret Rose, social worker
100. Maria Thomson, social worker, law student, harm reductionist
101. L’Oréal McCollum, clinical social worker, educator, advocate
102. Kat Bowman, case manager
103. Talia Miller, Social Worker
104. Juan Spinnato, primary care physician
105. Stephen Bonett, Registered Nurse
106. Michèle Yarmus, Registered Nurse
107. Carly Agre, Social Worker & Therapist
108. Nicholas Haft, program manager
109. Rachel E Abbott, Program manager
110. Nico Betancourt, social worker
111. Reuben Yarmus, Retired Educator
112. Elliot Kahen, pediatric health specialist
113. Sairy Franks, Trauma Healing Practitioner and Activist
114. Steve Delturk, Trauma Therapist
115. Kay Cohen, therapist
116. Kara Pravdo, Nurse Practitioner
117. José de Marco AIDS Community Organizer
118. Jill Resnick, Social Worker
119. Ellen Womer, Registered Nurse, JTD Camp Medic
120. Allie DiTucci, social worker
121. Sara Plummer, social work educator
122. Courtney Douds, social worker, psychoanalyst, activist
123. Tychelle Graham, MSW Social Worker, Anti-racism Educator, Higher Education Administrator
124. Ash Robbins, Nurse Practitioner
125. Mary Kremer, Peer Recovery Specialist
126. Eva Fitch, Reentry Social Worker
127. Elizabeth Holcomb, Registered Nurse
128. Rosie Jacobson, educator
129. Lori Latimer, MSW, LCSW, social worker, research study coordinator
130. Lila Weintraub, Registered Nurse
131. Salvatore Pelullo, social worker
132. Leda Sportolari, social worker
133. Julie Zaebst, social worker and foster parent
134. Rev David Reppert, Pastor, United Church of Christ
135. Lauren Pilar Cliggitt, Clinical Social Worker & Trauma Therapist
136. Laura Sorensen, Social Worker, Program Director
137. Michelle Inzerillo, Housing Counselor
138. Katrina DeLancey, Activist and Pathways to Housing Program participant
139. Kaleb Aronson, Social Worker
140. Lulu Duffy-Tumasz, harm reduction coordinator and msw candidate, former shelter worker.
141. Mia Rapine, child care worker, artist
142. Martin Sinel, supportive housing professional, educator
143. Ashley Reed, activist
144. Jessica Rein, Social worker BSW, activist
145. Kelsey Millets, CUA CM, MSW student
146. Isy Abraham-Raveson, M.Ed., sexuality educator
147. Daniel Glaubinger, educator and MSS student
148. Nuriya Neumann, Licensed Occupational Therapist in community mental health
149. Sara Francesconi, Licensed Social Worker
150. Cory Kim, social worker
151. Jessica Hummel, Mental Health Advocate, Student Nurse
152. Laura Slotkoff,  MS, OTR/L, Occupational Therapist
153. Joseph Meier, Activist
154. Suzy Subways, Prison Health News
155. Nicole Rodrigues, Teaching Artist
156. Raina Satija, MSS, Social worker
157. Kahn Miller, Harm reduction provider and activist
158. Hilary Coulter, LCSW, psychotherapist & case manager
159. Kristi Bennett, MSW, LSW, social worker in affordable housing
160. Thomas Halsey Nailor, MSS, LSW, social worker and outpatient therapist
161. Nayeli Spahr, Family Physician, Advocate
162. Florencia Allegretti, LCSW, Behavioral Health Consultant in an FQH
163. Alice Wang, LSW, social worker
164. Allison Herens, LSW
165. Sofia Commito, LCSW, psychotherapist
166. Annike Sprow, LSW, Neurologic Specialist
167. Veronyca Rodriguez, MSW, LSW, harm reductionist working in housing
168. Tanajsia Mason, Former HIV case manager, Advocate
169. Chyna Parker, social worker, activist
170. Cassandra Feltner, MSN, Nurse Practitioner
171. Jen Armento, administrative assistant, activist
172. Mari Flamm, social worker
173. Vanessa Mortillo, therapist
174. Elana Sorrin, social worker
175. Elicia Gonzales, social worker, Executive Director of Abortion Fund
176. Patrick Brogan, case manager
177. Sarah Erdo, Senior Clinical Specialist, activist
178. Clayton Ruley, social worker/administrator
179. Iris Bowen, LSW, Behavioral Health Clinician
180. Ashley J. Carraher, LSW - medical social worker
181. Lauren Zelouf- Licensed Social Worker
182. Ariel Postone, Family Medicine Physician at an FQHC
183. Paul Renn , LCSW at Federally Qualified Health Center
184. Michelle Morse, internal medicine physician and activist
185. Rachelle Fonbuena, BSN, Registered Nurse, Harm Reductionist
186. Kai Thigpen, LSW, therapist
187. Linda Rademaker, Speech language Pathologist.
188. Libby Mathewson, Social Worker
189. Jennifer Swanson, music therapist/counselor
190. Claire Pope, Social Worker
191. Seneca Harberger, Family Doctor
192. Mara Gordon, family physician and assistant professor
193. Alyssa Hansen LCSW, social worker
194. Sarah Tolvaisa, psychotherapist
195. MC Mazzocchi, candidate for MSW
196. LeBrian Brown, reentry case manager
197. Alie Huxta, MSW, social worker
198. Tim Dunn, retired social worker/volunteer
199. Ashley MacLaren, Social Worker
200. Allison Hayley DiGiacinto, RN
201. Sarah Latimore, LSW, medical case manager
202. Noel Petrie, LCSW, Social Worker
203. Jess. M. Jones, LCSW
204. Phillip Ramautar, LSW, hospital social worker
205. Denis Carey, LCSW, social worker
206. Chris Hausman, candidate for MSW
207. Arnav Shah, MD candidate
208. Lauren Johnston, Case Manager
209. Rudmila Rashid, MD candidate
210. Althea Holmes, RN
211. Victoria Lord, MD candidate
212. Randon Martin, small business worker-owner
213. Hannah Smith, Case Manager
214. Emily Simpson, educator
215. Derik Moore, LCSW, clinical SW
216. Michael McKee, reentry social worker
217. Laura Del Castillo, Bilingual Counseling Assistant with the School District of Philadelphia
218. Naomi Wildflower, BSW
219. Nyk Lifson, EMT/harm reduction
220. Carter Griest, MD candidate
221. Elisa Dolowich, MSN, Nurse Practitioner
222. Jessica Elam, CPS, Executive Director of Nebulous Healing
223. Jenny Ryder, concerned citizen
224. Jen Whistler, social worker
225. Maxwell Atkinson, social worker
226. Remy Campbell, RN, BSN, MPA
227. Rae Laven, concerned citizen
228. Samantha Merkt, Doula and organizer
229. Melissa Keating, LPC, Trauma Therapist
230. Aj Aaron, social worker
231. Jen Mainville, MPH
232. Julia Rainer, social worker
233. Gabriel Kalmuss-Katz, social worker
234. Nicole Ellingson, social worker
235. Kris Smith, social worker
236. Olivia Hamilton, Case Manager
237. Rashni Stanford, licensed social worker
238. Kate Ryan, LCSW, psychotherapist
239. Penelope Waite BSN, BA
240. Rachel Zelouf, Licensed Social Worker
241. Sarah Yanuck, educator
242. Sophia AlBanaa, social worker
243. Emily Mann, Case Manager
244. Kade Collins, LSW, Therapist
245. Norean Bay, Case Manager
246. Robin Ortelere, Case Manager
247. Abigail Beljean, LCSW, School Counselor
248. Sanjna Surya, Medical Student
249. Justin Jetty, activist and homeless advocate
250. Denise Mirando Lugardo, Drop-in Center Lead
251. Nicole Sage, medical case manager
252. Sol-Ana Martinez, medical case manager
253. M Holliday Davis, MAT program coordinator & social worker
254. David Oscar Harvey, Harm reduction oriented recovery specialist
255. Rebecca A. Hosey, MPH- Case Manager and nursing student focusing on street care
256. Christine Dielmann, physical therapist
257. Julie Schaller, homemaker
258. Carolyn Magerr, nursing student
259. Liam Magerr, icu nurse
260. Elizabeth Boyle, MD
261. Elsa Wefes-Potter, student
262. Brian Gallagher, educator
263. Jasmine Rivera, Civic Engagement Director
264. Kayte Terry, artist
265. Judith Max Palmer, social worker, organizer, activist
266. Alicia Rivera, LCSW
267. Javier Nova Rosa, Registered Nurse
268. Emma Thorp, College and Career Adviser
269. Helen Frazer, Harm Reductionist
270. Antony Garcia, Advocate
271. Megan Cauley, Trauma Informed Yoga Teacher
272. Destiny Washington, Graphic Designer, Activist and formerly homeless person.
273. Jeff Purdy, ally to homeless
274. Nancy Franke, MSW, Social Worker and Social Work PhD student
275. Jossie Carreras, emergency physician
276. Lorren Ruscetta, Therapist
277. Maya Robinson, Advocate
278. Terry Sokoloff, Registered Nurse
279. Shoshana Aronowitz, PhD, nurse practitioner
280. Tav Aronowitz, Nursing Student
281. Jacob Brennan, LPC
282. Rebecca Katz, Master’s in Acupuncture student
283. Ember Watson, social worker and activist
284. Deborah Rose Hinchey, Organizer/Activist
285. Cynthia Bertrand Holub, Activist
286. Jennifer King, Social Worker
287. Jamie Song, MPH student
288. Anlin Wang, Organizer
289. Andi Jones, Activist and former Educator
290. Francis Snow, social worker
291. Haydn James Williams, Housing Stabilization Specialist
292. Nina Josephson, Housing Stabilization Specialist
293. James Meier, shelter worker and advocate
294. Lillian Coogan, Nursing student
295. Robert Mora, Activist
296. Julianna Hirsh, Activist
297. Tara Benz, Activist
298. Christine Vincent, medical student
299. Steven Wadden, Social Worker
300. Young Sheng, medical student
301. Namdi Nwasike, Medical Student
302. Jessica Bulafka, medical student, advocate
303. Katharine Senter, medical student
304. Chelsea Chamroeun, community organizer, harm reductionist, activist
305. Dave Walk, Organizer
306. Rose Dillon, community organizer, Reclaim Philadelphia
307. Maxwell Wagenknecht, LCSW
308. Natasha Cahill, community organizer
309. Gwen Snyder,community organizer, Philadelphia Democratic Party committeeperson
310. Adams Rackes, community organizer, Democratic Party Ward Leader
311. Michael Chau, community organizer, Democratic Committeeperson
312. Jacqueline Chiou, M.D.
313. Joe Bastian, MSW student, case manager
314. Christopher Allen, LPC, Clinical Care Manager.
315. Cathy Lu, medical student
316. Hartly Hanson, Activist
317. Patchouli Oerther, Educator and Activist
318. Crossley Simmons, social worker
319. Tim Horras, librarian
320. Carla Calabrese, Harm Reductionist, Peer Advocate
321. Vivien Wong, M.D., Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
322. Joseph Leone, MD student and former Wedge Recovery Worker
323. Jen Shinefeld, MS, Community Advocate and Harm Reductionist
324. Tony Spadaro, M.D., MPH, Emergency Medicine Physician
325. Sarah Ells, Service Coordinator
326. Tess Kerins, community organizer
327. Amanda Mcillmurray, Organizer
328. Kara Lieff, activist + organizer
329. Shelby Lang, community organizer
330. Katharine Cristiani, union organizer
331. Chou Taing, physician assistant
332. Peter Wight, MPA - (ret)EMT-B, Activist, small business owner
333. Stan Horwitz, activist
334. Jan Jurchak, Artist
335. Emma Gray Mankin, MSW Candidate
336. Nina Koch, Social Worker
337. Michael Huff, Attorney
338. Jed Krivisky, Artist and Activist
339. Em Rea, MSW Student
340. Ashlyn Cancellieri, homelessness service coordinator, harm reductionist, MSW candidate
341. Benjamin Goldstein, social worker
342. Gabe McCall, MSW
343. Kyle Chvasta, MSW, Social Worker and Public Health Educator
344. Alexandra Larsen, medical student and CHOP Homeless Health Initiative student coordinator
345. Arielle Amiri, community organizer
346. Ashley Hansler,