Friends of the Children offers families a commitment that the program will be there in a child’s life from kindergarten through high school graduation — “12+ no matter what,” they say.
New polling location opens at NKCDC on Ruth Street in Kensington
Kensington resident Gwen Collier-Jefferson advocated for NKCDC to open a polling place due to challenges people reported finding the previous location.
From left to right: Janell Collier-Montgomery, Francesca Avilos, Takia Smith, and Gwen Collier-Jefferson work at a new 25th Ward polling place at the New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC) on Ruth Street on Nov. 5, 2024. (Photo by Sammy Caiola)
That 25th Ward previously had a polling place at the Community Center at Visitation at 2646 Kensington Ave., said poll worker Gwen Collier-Jefferson.
However, the polling area there was located behind a curtain, making it difficult for people to find, she said. So Collier-Jefferson advocated for NKCDC to open a polling location.
“[We opened this] to alleviate them not knowing, to move us inside,” she said.
Collier-Jefferson, a longtime Kensington resident and community health worker, works the polls every year with her aunt and cousin.
NKCDC staff promoted the new polling place by word of mouth, she said.
Throughout the year, NKCDC offers housing, job services, and small business assistance.
Polls are open until 8 p.m. Click here to find your polling place.
This story is a part of Every Voice, Every Vote, a collaborative project managed by The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Lead support for Every Voice, Every Vote in 2024 and 2025 is provided by the William Penn Foundation with additional funding from The Lenfest Institute for Journalism, Comcast NBC Universal, The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Henry L. Kimelman Family Foundation, Judy and Peter Leone, Arctos Foundation, Wyncote Foundation, 25th Century Foundation, and Dolfinger-McMahon Foundation. To learn more about the project and view a full list of supporters, visit www.everyvoice-everyvote.org. Editorial content is created independently of the project’s donors.
Sammy Caiola is a reporter with a passion for community engagement and trauma-informed journalism. She previously served as WHYY’s gun violence prevention reporter and hosted podcasts about stop and frisk and sexual assault.
Friends of the Children offers families a commitment that the program will be there in a child’s life from kindergarten through high school graduation — “12+ no matter what,” they say.
Applications are open through Dec. 31 on the Merchants Fund website. Priority will go to small, locally owned retailers operating in low-income neighborhoods.