Hello, neighbors.

Harrowgate is getting some love from City Cast Philly — the local podcast recently released a neighborhood guide for the area. The guide features many of Harrowgate’s spots, including Harrowgate Park and Puerto Rican restaurant and bakery El Coqui.

Anyway, here’s your weekly roundup.

Recent News

Parker administration ends community-led opioid settlement grants, leaving Kensington programs in limbo

Mayor Cherelle Parker’s administration has ended a major city-funded grant program that allowed Kensington residents to decide how national opioid settlement dollars were distributed in their neighborhood.

The Overdose Prevention and Community Healing Fund, or Prevention Fund, used a community-led grantmaking process to distribute $3.1 million to 43 organizations in 2024. It will no longer be managed by the Scattergood Foundation, which oversaw the participatory funding process, according to a spokesperson for the foundation.

Free Activities & Events

March 25

Arts & Crafts workshop hosted by Impact Services at McPherson Library (601 E. Indiana Ave.) from 3 to 5 p.m. Attendees will make wreaths and other spring-themed art. Refreshments will be provided.

March 26

“A Night of Songs and Stories” event at Vessel Coffee Collective (2401 Frankford Ave.) from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Hosts Amanda Janson and Olivia Farabaugh will perform original gospel songs in an evening of worship for all ages. Go here to register and learn more.

March 27

Arts & Crafts workshop hosted by Impact Services at Harrowgate Park (3455 Kensington Avenue) from 3 to 5 p.m. Attendees will make wreaths and other spring-themed art. Refreshments will be provided.
Know Your Rights training hosted by NKCDC at the Kensington Engagement Center (3000 Kensington Ave.) at 6 p.m. Community Legal Services will inform attendees about employment law issues such as criminal records, employee rights and more.

March 29

Spring paint party hosted by Impact Services at 3033 Kensington Ave. from 12 to 3 p.m. There will be arts and crafts, face painting and more.
Book launch event at Ulises (1525 N. American St.) from 5 to 7 p.m. Artist Lydia Smith will discuss her latest artist book, “Burial Sites,” an investigation of how burial landscapes reflect cultural rituals around death, mourning processes and community politics. Go here to register and learn more.

March 30

Storytime with Ms. AJ hosted by H&H Books from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. In celebration of Women’s History Month, Child educator Adrienne Barnett (Ms. AJ) will read books such as “Beauty Woke” by Nonieqa Ramos and “Broken Butterfly Wings” by Raquel M. Ortiz. Go here to register and learn more.

Weekly Events

Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays

Free Afterschool Program hosted by CADEkids at Mother of Mercy House (720 E Allegheny Ave.) from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. The program is for youth ages eight to 14, and includes games, snacks and other activities. Go here to register and learn more.

Tuesdays and Saturdays

Community fashion clothing drive hosted by Fashion Dealers Society at the Fashion Retail and Style Institute (426 E Allegheny Ave.) from 12 to 8 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring gently used clothing and enjoy music, refreshments and $100 prize raffle for registered donors. The drives will take place on Tuesdays and Saturdays until April 8. Go here to register and learn more.

Wednesdays

Free Yoga Classes hosted by Yoga 4 Philly at The CORE (3222 H St.) at 5:30 p.m. Free childcare will be provided. Go here to register and learn more.

Saturdays

March events at Sunday Love Project (3206 Kensington Ave.) every Saturday in March from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Community members can participate in different events each Saturday, including cooking with Chef Liz on March 22 and more.

Monthly Community Meetings

Friends of McPherson meets every first Tuesday from 6 to 7 p.m. at McPherson Square Library at 601 E. Indiana Ave. Contact chalmerst@freelibrary.org for more information.
Harrowgate Civic Association meets every first Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Heitzman Recreation Center at 3631 Amber St. Contact harrowgatecivicassociation@gmail.com for more information.
Kensington Independent Civic Association (KICA) meets every third Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Harrowgate PAL Center at 851 E. Tioga St.
Port Richmond Neighborhood Action (PRNA) meets every third Thursday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Block Church, 2537 E. Monmouth St. For more information, email portrichmondna@gmail.com. *There are no monthly PRNA meetings in January, November or December
Somerset Neighbors For Better Living meets every first Monday of the month (except holidays, when it meets the following Monday) online via Zoom. Contact phillysnbl@gmail.com.
South Port Richmond Civic Association meets every second Wednesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Veteran Boxers Association Ring at 2733 E. Clearfield Street. Click here for more information.

Funding Opportunities

The Foundation for Enhancing Communities is offering its four-year Pennsylvania House of Representatives Scholarship to two high school seniors per year. The award will go towards the cost of tuition and fees for a four-year program at a college, university, or career school in Pennsylvania. The deadline to apply is April 15. Go here to apply and learn more.

Jobs

The City of Philadelphia is hiring for multiple positions, including Community Health Worker, Technical Writer and more. Go here to apply and learn more.

Services

Energy Coordinating Agency is offering to lead energy efficiency workshops for community organizations to help residents save money on utility bills this winter. The ECA will provide an instructor and free weatherization kits for every workshop attendee. To schedule a workshop, call Tracey Mathis at 215-939-0275 or email traceym@ecasys.org.
Esperanza Health Center offers free pregnancy testing at its Kensington(861 E. Allegheny Ave.) and Hunting Park(4417 N. 6 St.) clinics Monday through Friday from 9:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome and no insurance is needed.