It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic CASTNER HOUSE gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Norristown, PA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“We have been very pleased with Always Best Care Agency for the past year. Sue has”
“This is a 5 star home care company. Our aide Seth is very professional and”
“We have had wonderful aides. Agency has been responsive to our needs.”
“I am a current client of this provider Most caring agency around. My husband needs total”
“Other ABC provides a person to cook and do laundry for my mother. The people I”
“We appreciate all that you did and would have loved to have Seth with us”
“Alway Best Care is always best!”
“Just Started Working For Always Best Care In Philadelphia Last Week And I Love My”
“Just Started Working For Always Best Care In Philadelphia Last Week And I Love My”
“I am a current client of this provider We used Always Best Care for my mother.”
“I couldn’t thank this Company enough for the services my Father had, it’s difficult to”
“The highlights for me is The boss man Bryant Greene, and most of his awesome”
“The highlights for me is The boss man Bryant Greene, and most of his awesome”
“first of all the owner Brian Greene is an amazing person to work for/with. Hes”
“first of all the owner Brian Greene is an amazing person to work for/with. Hes”
“Walked in to ask a few questions, and was kindly greeted as well as my”
“Always Best Care Senior Services of Philadelphia abides by the highest standards in the provision”
“Dear Rick, Over the past three plus years, my father Joseph Ceuch has lived at”
“Heather, I just wanted to thank Always Best Care in helping to provide care for my”
“My mother was bedbound for months and had serious health related issues including kidney failure.”
“I am a past client of this provider My journey with Always Best Care began with”
“Our sister, Barbara has early-onset dementia , and was in sudden need of”
“I am a retired registered nurse, and for several years, I have been the primary”
“Always Best Care Senior Services are a group of compassionate care givers and professionals. Use”
“I appreciate ABC of Bristol. They served me and my friend, Helen, at very difficult”
“I am a past client of this provider My journey with Always Best Care began with”
“I am a past client of this provider Dave and staff, thank you or consistently caring”
“I am a current client of this provider I have a very good providers from this”
“We have been very pleased with Always Best Care Agency for the past year. Sue has helped us with finding the perfect match for our mother’s needs. The caregivers that they screen are kind and capable, very professional, my mother glows with contentment when they arrive which puts us at ease as a family.”
“This is a 5 star home care company. Our aide Seth is very professional and caring. She does a great job making my life much easier. I would recommend Always Best Care Bristol to anyone.”
“We have had wonderful aides. Agency has been responsive to our needs.”
“I am a current client of this provider Most caring agency around. My husband needs total care and the agency does a perfect job supplying us with the right caregivers.”
“Other ABC provides a person to cook and do laundry for my mother. The people I have spoken to at the agency have been extremely helpful but more importantly kind and understanding. I have gotten quick responses to any inquiries I have made. The caregiver has been more than flexible and provides reliable help for my mother. I am feeling confident my mother is getting quality care to help her stay in her home.”
“We appreciate all that you did and would have loved to have Seth with us longer than we did. This was very sudden and in Gods hands I guess. Her last meal was the pasta you made. We tried it too. It was excellent. So you provided her favorite meal. Thank you for that. We would recommend you to anyone who is in need of such services. Be well.”
“Alway Best Care is always best!”
“Just Started Working For Always Best Care In Philadelphia Last Week And I Love My Job So Far & My Clients. I Love How Flexible My Schedule Is Too. I'd Highly Recommend Getting A Job Here”
“Just Started Working For Always Best Care In Philadelphia Last Week And I Love My Job So Far & My Clients. I Love How Flexible My Schedule Is Too. I'd Highly Recommend Getting A Job Here”
“I am a current client of this provider We used Always Best Care for my mother. They provided basically anything we needed a few hours a week, they were very thorough in asking about my mother's condition, and what were the needs that were required. It's more like bathing, medication, and companionship. We used them for about a week.”
“I couldn’t thank this Company enough for the services my Father had, it’s difficult to trust others yet Always Best Care of Philadelphia did it with ease. We happily recommend them to our family and friends. Bryant and Co. truly care as if it was their own family. God Bless and May all your Staff be safe, they are in my prayers.”
“The highlights for me is The boss man Bryant Greene, and most of his awesome staff. Mr. Greene, his brother Al Billz and staff always looked out for me even when I was ill. I love them and Always Best Care to the moon and back! ????”
“The highlights for me is The boss man Bryant Greene, and most of his awesome staff. Mr. Greene, his brother Al Billz and staff always looked out for me even when I was ill. I love them and Always Best Care to the moon and back!”
“first of all the owner Brian Greene is an amazing person to work for/with. Hes very compassionate to his workers and staff. If we need help and there's no caregiver available. Brian will step in. We also give our clients the best care possible. So proud to say Brian just opened up another office in Delaware. Doing an amazing job. I started work with this agency in 2012 when my mom became I'll. A good environment. I definitely would recommend this place of employment.”
“first of all the owner Brian Greene is an amazing person to work for/with. Hes very compassionate to his workers and staff. If we need help and there's no caregiver available. Brian will step in. We also give our clients the best care possible. So proud to say Brian just opened up another office in Delaware. Doing an amazing job. I started work with this agency in 2012 when my mom became I'll. A good environment. I definitely would recommend this place of employment.”
“Walked in to ask a few questions, and was kindly greeted as well as my inquiries were satisfyingly met. ????”
“Always Best Care Senior Services of Philadelphia abides by the highest standards in the provision of in-home care.”
“Dear Rick, Over the past three plus years, my father Joseph Ceuch has lived at home assisted by the caregivers from your company Always Best Care of Greater Bristol. This letter is a personal thank you from my father and the entire Ceuch family on how your caregivers treated and attended to my father during this time. The caregivers became part of our extended family who shared in countless family events resulting in beautiful lasting memories. Caregivers Frances Boateng, Jeremy Turner, and Yanice Hernandez were awesome in their care of my father. I want to especially acknowledge Francis as a person who went above and beyond his responsibility and became part of the Ceuch inner circle. It was not uncommon for Francis on his off days to stop by during a family picnic to say hello...he is truly loved by my father. Again, I want to thank you for the loving care your caregivers provided my father. I would highly recommend your company to anyone interested in having a caregiver attend to a loved one. Thanks again”
“Heather, I just wanted to thank Always Best Care in helping to provide care for my step father, Daryl. It's unbelievable how the progression of his illness happened so quickly, however, Always Best Care was always ready to provide the level of care he needed as it increased. Most importantly, I'd like to thank his aide, Sue Malasics. She was wonderful to Daryl and took great care of his needs. I knew I did not have to worry with Sue there with him. She was always cooking wonderful homemade meals and desserts and I was happy to see how happy she made Daryl. I think she is a wonderful asset to Always Best Care. Should I know of anyone needing help in the future, I would recommend Always Best Care and Sue Malasics.”
“My mother was bedbound for months and had serious health related issues including kidney failure. My mother was also very demanding about her care and who she would allow into her home. After several attempts with various in-home care agencies my mother really responded well to Always Best Care Senior Services of Greater Bristol and we cant thank them enough for the high level of compassionate care they were able to provide during my moms final months.”
“I am a past client of this provider My journey with Always Best Care began with a visit from the owner and office manager. Soon after, I was introduced to the caregiver who would provide care for me. All 3 persons seemed very knowledgeable, experienced anf caring. I was certainly provided with quality service and much respect and compassion.”
“Our sister, Barbara has early-onset dementia , and was in sudden need of a personal care assistant until placement in a quality skilled nursing facility became available. We reached out to home health care agencies in her local area but, by this point, had already worked with several agencies for med reminders for Barbara (and 24/7 care for our Mom in another area of CT) and were a bit skeptical that that we’d find one that could provide consistent quality of care.When I spoke with Rick Downey of Always Best Care Senior Services in Bristol, he conveyed both confidence in his knowledge of health care and empathy in understanding the frustrations that families experience when seeking quality care for their loved ones. We were next contacted by their care coordinator,Heather Kozikowski, who came to our sister’s home to conduct an assessment and further explain the services offered by Always Best Care.A further testament to the exceptional quality of Always Best Care is the service and care we’ve received after Barbara is no longer a client; our thanks to Always Best Care for the excellent care of our sister, and the peace-of-mind it afforded our family knowing that she was in such kind and competent hands!”
“I am a retired registered nurse, and for several years, I have been the primary caregiver for my husbamd/ My husband suffers from dementia and is aphasic. On a Saturday morning in October of 2015, a sudden change in my health required an emergent hospitilization, which late resulted in an extensive rehabilitation stay. Upon my hospitalization, my son reached out to Always Best Care Senior Services of greater Bristol. The Always Best Care team assessed my husband, his needs, and had his care staffed within hours of my son's call. The care provided to my husband has been exceptional. The caregivers as well as the office staff have been attentive to our needs and have met all of our expectations. I would highly recommend Always Best Care to you and anyone who is in need of care for their loved one.”
“Always Best Care Senior Services are a group of compassionate care givers and professionals. Use them for all your personal needs Senior or younger. They get the job done!!!”
“I appreciate ABC of Bristol. They served me and my friend, Helen, at very difficult time. The office staff, social workers, and the aides were professional, caring, and reliable. Donna you are awesome....keep up the great work!!!! I would recommend this service to anyone.”
“I am a past client of this provider My journey with Always Best Care began with a visit from the owner and office manager. Soon after, I was introduced to the caregiver who would provide care for me. All 3 persons seemed very knowledgeable, experienced anf caring. I was certainly provided with quality service and much respect and compassion.”
“I am a past client of this provider Dave and staff, thank you or consistently caring and comforting my Mom. Your quality of care will be recommended to others. You went above and beyond what was expected.”
“I am a current client of this provider I have a very good providers from this Company”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Gardino Park Norristown with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Giacomo's Restaurant or visit Selma Mansion, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Norristown, PA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Norristown, PA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Norristown, PA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
KING OF PRUSSIA, PA — A renowned chef and James Beard award finalist is opening a new restaurant in King of Prussia this month, spokespersons for the restaurant told Patch.The eatery, Peter Chang King of Prussia, will be located on 314 S. Henderson Road in the Henderson Square Shopping Center.The restaurant is slated to open its doors on Thursday, June 26."The menu features dim sum, family-style, and tapas dishes, highlighting a mix of Peter's signature Szechuan fare, such as Chengdu Twice-Cooked Pork Belly, O...
KING OF PRUSSIA, PA — A renowned chef and James Beard award finalist is opening a new restaurant in King of Prussia this month, spokespersons for the restaurant told Patch.
The eatery, Peter Chang King of Prussia, will be located on 314 S. Henderson Road in the Henderson Square Shopping Center.
The restaurant is slated to open its doors on Thursday, June 26.
"The menu features dim sum, family-style, and tapas dishes, highlighting a mix of Peter's signature Szechuan fare, such as Chengdu Twice-Cooked Pork Belly, Osmanthus Honey Pork Ribs, Dry-Fried Red Pepper Chicken, Fried Branzino with Sweet and Sour Sauce, and, of course, Peter's award-winning Peking Duck," the spokesperson said.
Vegan and vegetarian options like shredded smoked tofu, Szechuan Dan Dan Noodle with Tofu, and more will also be available.
Chang, a native of Wuhan, China, first came to the U.S. as the chef for the Chinese ambassador to the United States some three decades ago.
Since then, his eateries have developed a large global following and he is widely considered in culinary circles as one of the greatest Chinese chefs in America.
The full menu is online here. The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.
"It is our duty to hold that door open for others." The community gathered in Norristown to celebrate Juneteenth and the end of slavery.Justin Heinze, Patch StaffNORRISTOWN, PA — More than 100 attendees gathered in Norristown on Monday for a special flag raising ceremony in celebration of Juneteenth, which is this Thursday, June 19.The annual event included a range of speakers from the community and loca...
Justin Heinze, Patch Staff
NORRISTOWN, PA — More than 100 attendees gathered in Norristown on Monday for a special flag raising ceremony in celebration of Juneteenth, which is this Thursday, June 19.
The annual event included a range of speakers from the community and local government, live music, poetry, and the announcement of the student winners of the 2025 Art and Poetry of Freedom Contest.
“I know that every time someone like me has the opportunity to be the first to do something, it is because the doors were shut in the face of previous generations for far too long," Montgomery County Commissioner Jamila Winder told the gathered crowd. "It is our duty to hold that door open for others. That's why we are intentional about preserving the values that we hold dear in Mongomery County."
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to inform enslaved African Americans that the Civil War was over and slavery had been abolished.
While symbolically important, this did not end slavery in the United States. That did not occur until the passage of the 13th Amendment several months later, that Dec. 1865.
Montgomery County made Juneteenth an official holiday in 2020, and it became a federal holiday in 2021.
Following the flag raising, the Monday event featured a special reading of the Emancipation Proclamation from county employees and Juneteenth Committee members Terrence Barnes and Charles Clark.
Rev. Marshal Mitchell from Salem Baptist Church spoke, and Judge Page of theMontgomery County Court of Common Pleas performed a song, and Mydera Robinson, the executive director of Theatre Horizon, performed spoken word poetry.
“Juneteenth is ultimately a celebration of freedom," Commissioner Thomas DiBello added. "Juneteenth is a reminder that freedom for all is a work in progress. Ensuring our nation lives up to its founding principles is a work in progress. It isn’t something that happens just because we say it."
The student Art and Poetry of Freedom contest announced winners during the event:
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (WPVI) -- Some community members in Norristown gathered on Wednesday evening to speak about their loved ones who are currently being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials.Representatives with the organization, Unides Para Servir Norristown, said they believe more than 25 people from Norristown are currently in ICE custody. Action News has reached out to ICE officials about these local arrests, and we are currently waiting to hear back."A lot of people are scared to raise their voice for ...
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (WPVI) -- Some community members in Norristown gathered on Wednesday evening to speak about their loved ones who are currently being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials.
Representatives with the organization, Unides Para Servir Norristown, said they believe more than 25 people from Norristown are currently in ICE custody. Action News has reached out to ICE officials about these local arrests, and we are currently waiting to hear back.
"A lot of people are scared to raise their voice for other people that can't, right? So, I'm doing it on behalf of my family," said Rose De La Luz, of Norristown, on Wednesday evening.
De La Luz said her cousin, Aziel De La Luz, and her brother-in-law, Maximino Garces Trinidad, were picked up by ICE agents in Norristown in May. Her cousin was taken into custody on May 1, while her brother-in-law was arrested on May 30.
She said they are both from Mexico and have been undergoing the process to become American citizens. They are currently waiting to hear when they will appear in court.
On Wednesday evening, De La Luz said, "People are terrified. People leave their houses because they have to go to work. They leave not knowing if they are going to come back."
This week, President Trump told reporters his administration was going to continue to enforce its deportation policy strictly. The White House has said that enforcing immigration law is critically important to national security and public safety.
Mac Alasad-Murphy, a Philadelphia attorney who specializes in immigration law, spoke with Action News on Wednesday night. She said she has been busy fielding questions from people who are trying to become U.S. citizens but are currently concerned they could be detained.
Alasad-Murphy said the most important thing for people to remember is that everyone has the right to an attorney.
"Sometimes, unfortunately, even though you are lawfully going through the permanency process, that process could be cut short," she explained. "So, you want to just become aware of your specific circumstances and what legal rights apply to you."
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As the county says they won't "deputize our officials" as ICE agents, they've doubled down on support for immigrant communities. Justin Heinze, Patch StaffNORRISTOWN, PA — Montgomery County is expanding its resources for immigrants in an effort to even out inequalities in access to critical support, they announced this week. The move comes as the county's leading Democratic commissioners have doubled down on rh...
Justin Heinze, Patch Staff
NORRISTOWN, PA — Montgomery County is expanding its resources for immigrants in an effort to even out inequalities in access to critical support, they announced this week. The move comes as the county's leading Democratic commissioners have doubled down on rhetoric in support of immigrant populations amid ongoing deportations by President Trump's administration.
The county's new Immigrant Resource Center will help connect residents to key information on civil rights procedures, legal representation, small business opportunities, and more.
"The Immigrant Resource Center was created to ensure that all of our residents, including the 100,000 that are foreign-born, have equal access to their local representatives—no matter how long they’ve been here,” Commissioner Neil K. Makhija said. "There are many ways to make our community inclusive, and one of the most crucial is ensuring civic life and community support are accessible equitably to everyone."
It comes as the county says they will not cooperate with federal requests to have local law enforcement assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in executing mass deportations.
"When traffic stops become de facto immigration checks, we create a subset of residents forced to live further in the shadows," Commissioners Makhija and Jamila Winder wrote in a recent Inquirer opinion piece. "This doesn‘t enhance public safety — it compromises it."
Anti-immigrant rhetoric, they argue, is not based in fact, citing studies from the conservative-leaning Cato Institute that immigrants are less likely to commit crimes.
The new Center's page includes resources in English and Spanish that will help immigrants better understand their rights, navigate the citizenship process, and more. It also provides connections and details to a variety of regional nonprofits working with the immigrant community, including job boards.
Montgomery County is home to 30 universities and 300,000 college students. SEPTA is a "lifeline," officials said. Justin Heinze, Patch StaffNORRISTOWN, PA — Proposed budget cuts to SEPTA would "paralyze" the Montgomery County's access to education, local leaders warned Tuesday in their latest push to protect the public transit authority from a radical makeover.Officials specifically pointed to ...
Justin Heinze, Patch Staff
NORRISTOWN, PA — Proposed budget cuts to SEPTA would "paralyze" the Montgomery County's access to education, local leaders warned Tuesday in their latest push to protect the public transit authority from a radical makeover.
Officials specifically pointed to access to college campuses and various regional educational facilities in the county that is made affordable by SEPTA regional rail and bus lines. The county is home to around 300,000 college students and 30 universities.
"But how do students get to class if their train line disappears?” Commissioner Neil K. Makhija said Tuesday. “We are calling on the state legislature: don’t let our students get off track. Invest in the system that makes our colleges accessible, our region competitive, and our future bright. Our universities are engines of opportunity, but that engine can’t run without SEPTA to fuel it.”
While wealthier students can simply drive cars, many of those 300,000 students don't have those resources. Not to mention, a growing population in the suburbs has already led to increasing traffic spikes and calls for years to expand SEPTA's network, not dismantle it.
Republican Commissioner Tom DiBello concurred.
“Students in Montgomery County work hard every day going to classes and working part-time to support themselves through college," DiBello added. "We want them to be able to study, live and work here. Without reliable public transit, the students, the schools, and our local businesses all suffer. Other major metropolitan areas invest more money in their transit systems. We need to be expanding SEPTA’s network, not cutting back, to keep our region competitive.”
The proposed cuts come as part of a new budget from state lawmakers in Harrisburg, many of whom say that residents outside of the greater Philadelphia area should not shoulder the tax burden for the SEPTA system.
Faced with a drastic reduction in operating capital at a time when their meager expenditures were already stretched to the max by limited funding, SEPTA said they'll need to shut down the Paoli/Thorndale, Chestnut Hill, Cynwyd, Trenton, and Wilmington/Newark regional rail lines. Numerous bus lines servicing Montgomery County would also be reduced or slashed entirely.
SEPTA officials said the deficit will require 45 percent in service cuts, as well as a fare increase averaging 21.5 percent for all riders. Fifty bus routes would be shut down between Aug. 24 and Jan. 1, 2026. SEPTA said it would also be forced to cease providing additional service to special events, including plans to support the World Cup, the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations, and other international 2026 events.
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