2020 in Review:
What QVNA did for
D
uring 2020’s uncertain and fast-changing times, QVNA continued to provide the programs, services and relevant information that neighbors have come to expect.
Proving We Care The pandemic impacted all of us, in many different ways. That’s why QVNA went far beyond our standard weekly eNews to uncover information for neighbors from both city and local charitable sources about: n
Free food programs
Services for seniors-in-need, the newly unemployed, shut-ins, new mothers, students and families n
City service availability on vital topics such as COVID testing, mental health and housing assistance n
Fighting Graffiti and Litter In 2020, QVNA: Removed 12 tons of litter from Queen Village’s curbs n
Erased graffiti throughout the neighborhood n
Organized three, socially-distanced volunteer cleanups at our parks and Weccacoe Playground n
Helping You Stay Planted at Home By May, neighbors told us they wanted to be “safer at home” by being outside in their yards. So QVNA gave away 500 flowering plants, free to neighbors. We partnered with Southwark/Queen Village Community Garden for plants and with Cohen’s Hardware for our contact-free pickup location.
Investing for the Future As community organizations, schools and volunteers continued to plan for the future, QVNA continued to help fund their projects and programs by: Awarding more than $16,500 in community grants n
Funding for the Mary Street Park Committee to develop a garden plan. n
More Accessible Off-Street Parking On-street parking in Queen Village is a decades-old challenge. Back in the '90s, QVNA created an offstreet, discount-priced parking lot at Front and Christian streets for our community. Today, our lot can provide monthly, gate-controlled parking for more than 180 cars, but that's not all. QVNA's monthly parking rate is significantly lower than those charged by neighboring lots. And in July 2020, when the city increased parking lot taxes, we didn't raise our rate, but that's not all either. In October, QVNA completed three parking lot initiatives that improve accessibility, safety and function. First, we upgraded our call box and entrance gate technologies. Then, we relocated and enlarged each handicapped parking space and aisle. In addition, we installed more visible Reserved for Handicapped Parking signs. Finally, we painted new reflective directional arrows and completely restriped the lot.
Our Sources of Funding QVNA is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit. For more than 50 years, our programs and services have been paid for through fundraising. Our current funding sources include parking lot rentals, advertising, sponsorships, donations, and our most important — association memberships.
Please Renew your Membership or Join QVNA We depend on neighbors like you not only as volunteers, but also as QVNA members. Our work is made possible in part through the generosity of tax-deductible memberships. You can renew your membership or join us online at QVNA.org/join — or use the envelope in this magazine. Every membership in QVNA collectively supports our community in a meaningful way: Membership Level Contribution What it Buys
Individual $40 Family $60 Sponsor $120 Benefactor $250 Patron $500
50 leaf and yard bags 1 truckload tree mulch 2 weeks graffiti removal 25 blocks curbside litter removal 1 community grant (at minimum funding)
At QVNA "it takes a village" because all that we do depends on neighbors like you.
Community Service:
The Heart of Our Mission Queen Village Neighbors Association cares about and for our community. Neighbors like you decide everything we do. As volunteers, our Board of Directors determine the programs and services we provide. QVNA’s committee members volunteer their skills and experience in other important areas of community service. And QVNA’s “Friends Group'' volunteers clean and green our parks and maintain Weccacoe Playground. As volunteers working together, QVNA lives our mission: QVNA provides community stewardship, advocacy and service to help improve quality of life for Queen Village residents.
Always at Your Service Throughout 2020, QVNA remained open and available. As we transitioned to “Shelter at Home”, QVNA mapped open-for-business food markets, restaurants and essential services within walking distance of neighbors. n
Despite losing our lease and moving our office, QVNA never missed a beat. n
Our community meetings Zoomed with guest panelists discussing timely topics including safety, nuisance traffic, election integrity, and COVID vaccine updates (Youtube.com/ queenvillage). n
Community Stewardship. Advocacy. Service. 744 S. 4th Street n 215.339.0975 QVNA.org/join n QVNA.org/volunteer