We’ve got the neighborhood’s parents on our minds this week because the school year is on the horizon.

While the kids may not be so happy, you’ll be pleased to know that there’s lots of back-to-school events happening in the neighborhood this week with free backpacks, school supplies, and more. Check it out below.

As always, if you know of an event or resource you’d like us to include in future newsletters, email us at editors@kensingtonvoice.com. 

News (in case you missed it)

Free school supplies in Kensington: Here's a growing list of back-to-school events in the neighborhood

We’ve pulled together a list of events and places where you can get free school supplies for your kids to prepare for the school year.

Click here to check out a list of back-to-school events.

“Perfection doesn’t exist:” Mayor Parker talks policing and Kensington’s encampment sweep in exclusive WHYY interview

During an exclusive interview on WHYY’s live talk show Studio 2, Mayor Cherelle Parker discussed policing Kensington’s open-air drug market and said the May 8 encampment sweep didn’t go exactly as planned.

Kensington Voice highlighted some key points from Parker’s conversation with WHYY Studio 2 co-hosts Cherri Gregg and Avi Wolfman-Arent. 

Click here to read more.

Where’s Sammy?

Sammy Caiola, Kensington Voice’s special projects reporter, would like to get to know the community a little better. So, for the next several weeks, she will be setting up a table in various locations where you can ask her questions about our news coverage and tell her what kinds of stories you’d like to see us publish.

Here’s where you can find Sammy this week:

Thursday, August 15th
From 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The Block Church
2537 E. Monmouth St., Philadelphia, PA 19134

*For the Port Richmond Neighborhood Association meeting

If you have an event coming soon where you’d like Sammy to table, send her a note at sammy@kensingtonvoice.com

Monthly Community Meetings

Friends of McPherson
When: Every first Tuesday from 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Where: McPherson Square Library at 601 E. Indiana Ave.
Contact: chalmerst@freelibrary.org

Harrowgate Civic Association
When: Every first Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Heitzman Recreation Center at 3631 Amber St.
Contact: harrowgatecivicassociation@gmail.com

*There is no Harrowgate Civic meeting in July. 

Kensington Independent Civic Association (KICA)
When: Every third Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Harrowgate PAL Center at 851 E. Tioga St. 

Port Richmond Neighborhood Action (PRNA)
When: Every third Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
Where: The Block Church at 2537 E. Monmouth St.
Contact: portrichmondna@gmail.com

Somerset Neighbors For Better Living
When: Every first Monday of the month (unless it's a holiday in which case we meet the following Monday)
Where: Online Zoom meeting
Contact: phillysnbl@gmail.com

*There is no SNBL meeting in August or December.  

Activities & Events 

August 13

Univision 65 Philadelphia and Impacto Media are hosting the Your Vote is Your Voice event at Esperanza on August 13 from 4 PM to 7 PM. There will be a special broadcast focused on the 2024 elections and voter registration, plus live music, free food, and more.

August 14

Emerald Street Community Garden is hosting a free screening event for “The Princess Bride” movie on the corner of emerald and dauphin streets, starting at 8 p.m. Limited seating and popcorn will be provided, but make sure to bring some snacks and a blanket.

August 15

Congreso de Latinos Unidos is hosting a Back-to-School Resource Fair in its parking lot (2800 N. American St.) from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Along with backpacks and school supplies, Congreso will offer free produce, community resources and more. Text “b2s” to 215-914-3755 to register. For other questions, contact info@congreso.net. 

August 16

Harrowgate Civic Association is having a its “Back to School Bash!” event at Heitzman Recreation Center (3631 Amber Street) from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. There will be free backpacks and school supplies, but a child must be present to receive the giveaways.

August 17

Councilmember Quetcy Lozada’s first annual Classroom Kickoff event will be held at 4821 Frankford Ave from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be music, food, and free backpacks for the first 300 children who stop by. Click here for more information, or call 215-686-3448, or email admin.lozada@phila.gov. 

Safe-Hub & Scanlon Rec Center are partnering to host a Back-to-School Party at the rec center (1099 Venango St.) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be more than 700 backpacks available, free local resources, and more. Contact jennifer.guzman@safe-hub.org to learn more.

The Old Lady Gang is hosting its 2nd annual Community Water Gun Fight at Harrowgate Park from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Feel free to bring your own water guns, but any water guns that are not brightly colored or resemble real guns will not be allowed. 

August 18

Hive 76 is hosting their Board Game Day. Make sure to stop by and play some games with friends or family. Click here to register.

Weekly Events

Monday-Friday 

The Norris Square Senior Center offers free daily activities for adults 60 and older on Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Activities include art, exercise, games, and socializing. Meals are also provided – $1.25 for breakfast and $1 for lunch.

Mondays 

Heitzman Recreation Center hosts a free chess club on Mondays from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. for ages eight and up. No registration or prior experience is required. For more information, contact heitzmanreccenter@phila.gov. 

Tuesdays

The “Harrowgate Run Club” is hosting walking and running groups at Harrowgate Park on Tuesdays from 6:15 a.m. to 7 a.m.

Heitzman Recreation Center hosts free art classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays will consist of bracelet making, and on Thursdays, participants will be making arts & crafts. For more information, contact heitzmanreccenter@phila.gov or call 215-537-3244.

Wednesdays

Every Wednesday from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Galaei hosts its weekly discussion group, “Code Grindr”, in person at its location. This discussion group will unpack the negative impact that hookup apps have and the stigmas they uphold surrounding race, gender identity, and the harm they cause people. 

Looking for more open mics in the neighborhood? Tina’s Tacos hosts an open mic and live band karaoke night every Wednesday from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Come by and show off your vocal skills or enjoy some local talent.

Fridays

The Sunday Love Project is hosting “Crochet for Beginners” classes for adults and children ages 10 and up from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 3206 Kensington Ave. The classes are free and supplies will be provided.

Saturdays

NKCDC and The Health Federation of Philadelphia are partnering to host “The Diabetic Prevention Program” at Firm Hope Baptist Church on Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The year-long lifestyle change program focuses on developing a healthy lifestyle and learning how to manage things like diabetes, stress, exercise, and meal prep. If you are 18 or older and are at risk or have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes, you qualify for the program. Enjoy light refreshments, taste tests, raffles, and more. 

Free Trainings

JEVS Project WOW

JEVS Human Services is offering its free Project WOW Certified Production Training Program to young adults ages 18 to 24 who did not complete a high school diploma. This program offers hands-on training in OSHA 10, a Production Technician Certificate, a High School Diploma through Penn Foster, and more. To register and learn more, click here.

Mental Health First Aid Training

The Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS) offers free training for those interested in earning a Mental Health First Aid certification. The virtual training is facilitated weekly. Register here.

Sheet Metal Workers

Sheet Metal Workers Local Union No. 19 is currently accepting applications for their Philadelphia training center. Earn money while you learn a new trade, and learn from experienced professionals in the field. Click here to apply and learn more.

Funding Opportunities

Block beautification

As part of the Keep It Clean Philly campaign, the city is offering funding to block captains the PMBC Block Captain Beautification Grant to beautify their block. The grant amount can be as much as $500, and is only available to block captains registered through the Philadelphia More Beautiful Committee (PMBC). Click here to apply.

Business Security

Does your business need extra security? Click here to apply for the city’s Business Security Camera Program. If your company wants additional upgrades, check out the Storefront Improvement Program.

Nonprofits can also apply for security enhancements through the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, administered by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.  

I Love My Librarian Award

The American Library Association is currently accepting nominations for the 2025 “I Love My Librarian” Award, which awards a librarian with $5,000 and the recognition of a lifetime. Nominations must be submitted by other people for their librarians by September 30. Click here to submit a nomination and learn more.

Philadelphia Water Department State Grants

The Philadelphia Water Department has grants available for its Pennsylvania Homeowner Assistance Fund. Eligible homeowners can get up to $10,000 for unpaid water bills. To apply and learn more, click here.

The Community Fund Grant

The Philadelphia City Fund is accepting proposals for The Community Fund Grant from now until August 26 at 5 p.m. This year, the fund is seeking to support programming that takes a holistic approach to youth wellness and health. Grantees will receive awards of $25,000 to support their programming. Click here to apply and learn more.

Jobs

City of Philadelphia

The City of Philadelphia is hiring for multiple positions. View listings and apply here.

The city is also hiring in multiple civil service jobs. Click here to apply and learn more. 

Division of Substance Use and Harm Reduction

The Division of Substance Use and Harm Reduction has several job openings available. View listings and apply here. 

Esperanza Health Center

Esperanza Health Center has several job openings available. View listings and apply here.

New Kensington Community Development Community 

NKCDC is hiring for several full-time positions, including Housing Advisor, Part-Time Kensington Planning Connector, and more. View listings here. 

Pathways to Housing PA

Pathways to Housing PA is hiring for several positions, including for a truck driver/warehouse assistant at the Philadelphia Furniture Bank at 3650 I St. Find listings and apply here. 

PennDOT

PennDot is hiring new engineers, equipment operators, inspectors, and mechanics. View listings and apply here. 

Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW)

PGW is hiring for multiple positions including Call Center Representative, Field Service Technician, and more. Click here to apply.

Philadelphia Parks & Rec

Philadelphia Parks & Rec is currently hiring for multiple positions, including RSI Programming Specialist-Pops Playground and Seasonal Maintenance Attendant. To apply and learn more, click here.

Safe-Hub Philadelphia

Safe-Hub is hiring soccer coaches. Head coaches are paid $22 per hour while assistant and flex coaches are volunteer positions. Apply here. 

Safe Hub is also hiring for two part-time AmeriCorps positions: Healthy Bodies Program Specialist and Healthy Futures Program Specialist. Click the links to apply for and learn more about each position.

Waste Management

Waste Management is hiring for multiple positions with an average pay of $26 per hour. Click here to apply and learn more.

Services

Filter Philly

Filter Philly provides free air purifiers, masks, and tests to local events and organizations to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and other airborne illnesses. If you’d like to be supplied with a free purifier or equipment, contact filterphilly@proton.me.

Fresh Choice Food Pantry

The Community Center at Visitation’s Fresh Choice Food Pantry is open on Mondays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Additional offerings include coffee, light snacks, free vital checks, HIV testing, and Hepatitis-C testing. 

LIHEAP

Applications for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program are now open. Income-eligible families could receive up to $1,000 to pay for heating bills. Apply online or by mail. 

NKCDC

From 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. every Tuesday, NKCDC’s Kensington Empowerment Hub is open for their Record Clearing Clinic. Clients can meet with lawyers from the Lawyers for Social Equity organization to have their cases reviewed to see if they can be cleared of any records.

Youth Employment Project (YEP)

Temple University’s Youth Employment Project (YEP) is looking to enroll out-of-school young adults ages 16 to 24 years old into their program to support them with earning their GEDs and transitioning to employment or higher education. Requirements include being a Philadelphia resident, highly determined and self-motivated, and having a basic understanding of computer skills. Click here to fill out their interest form.

Kensington Voice programs 

Youth Voices Summer Program
Mondays - Thursdays, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
3237 Amber Street, 3rd Floor

Our Youth Voices Summer Program runs through August 16. Students in grades six through 12 are invited to join us for arts and crafts, computer games, multimedia projects, and more. 

Contact Khysir Carter at khy@kensingtonvoice.com with questions. 

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Have something you’d like us to share in our Monday newsletter? Please send any news or press releases to editors@kensingtonvoice.com.

Have any questions, comments, or concerns about this story? Send an email to editors@kensingtonvoice.com.