After the Eagles won their game against the Miami Dolphins last night, we just need their luck to rub off on the Phillies who are one win away from the World Series.
More importantly, today is also the LAST day to register to vote before the November election. Click here to register, and scroll below for some events to help you get informed about candidates.
Sports and the November election aside, this weekend is filled with Halloween parties and fall festivals for folks of all ages to enjoy. Check them out below.
Our upcoming programs
We’re hosting a few of our own programs at our newsroom at Allegheny & Amber Street, starting this week:
Mural Art Mondayz (Youth Voices)
Mondays from 3:30 to 5:30 PM
Students in grades six through 12 are invited to this free workshop series, where they will develop a mural design at Kensington Voice with community artist John C. Zerbe (zerbeartz.com).
Students can drop in for one workshop, a few, or all! But youth participants who attend at least half (5) of the workshops will receive a $75 gift card at the final event in December.
Click here for more info, including registration.
Creative Writing Corner (Youth Voices)
Tuesdays from 3:30 to 5:30 PM
Students in grades six through 12 are invited to join our Creative Writing Corner with Khysir Carter, a writing workshop dedicated to building creative writing skills with peers and writing professionals.
Students can drop in at any time. However, youth participants who work with us to publish their writing in our newspaper, website, or other media will receive a gift card ranging from $75 to $150 for their work.
Click here for more info, including registration.
Lastly, this newsletter and our stories are free to read because we believe it’s important to make local news accessible. If you’d like to help support this work, please consider becoming a paid member.
Now, here’s what’s happening around the neighborhood this week.
Activities & Events
Oct. 25
State Rep. Danielo Burgos and his staff will be hosting “Welloween”, a Halloween-themed health and safety fair at Fairhill Square Park. The fair will take place on Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Children may wear costumes.
Oct. 26
The Monkey Club is hosting a free comedy open mic on Thursday at 2101 York St. Interested comedians can sign up at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m.
Oct. 27
Friends of Harrowgate Park is hosting a fall movie night from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m at Harrowgate Park. The screening of Disney-Pixar’s “Coco” will begin at 7 p.m. Bring your own chair or blanket. Seasonal snacks and arts & crafts will be available.
Oct. 28
The City is hosting a PHLCityID pop up mobile site on Saturday on an appointment-only basis. People interested in obtaining this special ID can go to the Consular ext. Dominican Republic in the Harrowgate Plaza at 3528 I St. Learn more about the PHLCityID here.
Paint pumpkins, take a trip on a hayride, and much more at McPherson’s Fall Fest. The annual event will take place at McPherson Square Park at 601 E. Indiana Ave. on Saturday from noon to 3 p.m.
Safe-Hub Philadelphia’s Tent-or-Treat is taking over Scanlon Recreation Center from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.! Grab candy, explore a haunted house, win a raffle, and more! Participants must bring their own candy bag. If you’d like to volunteer, click here.
Let’s get ready to rumble! Epic Wrestling Association (EWA) is hosting an evening of wrestling matches on Saturday at the Community Center at Visitation featuring Ricci Starr, El Rey, AARON The Truth, Mr. Ping, Rob Noxious, Cory Dillinger, and more. The event, which will also include a live concert, will take place at 6 p.m. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the community center. Tickets can be purchased at the event.
Oct. 29
Hart Lane Farm is partnering with Mural Arts to host art activities using natural and thrifted materials. The workshops will take place every Sunday until Nov. 5 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at 514 Hart Lane.
Rebel Arts Movement is hosting its annual Halloween Party. Show off your costume, play through an obstacle course, and grab some treats! The first 20 people to arrive will receive a special gift. The party will take place at noon at 3400 J Street, G26. Register here.
November 1-5
Cook, meet other youth, and get paid to do it! Philly Bridge & Jawn and Nourish will be hosting workshops for youth to learn how to cook and network with local organizations and each other. Teens between the ages of 12 to 19 years old can participate and earn a stipend of $20 each day. The pilot program will run through the first week of November from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 2001 E. Allegheny Ave. Register here.
Saturdays
Norris Square Neighborhood Project’s farm stand operates every Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Raíces Garden located at 2217 N. 2nd St.
Weekdays
The Norris Square Senior Center offers free daily activities for adults 60 years old and older on Mondays through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Activities include art, exercise, games, and socializing. Meals are also provided – $1.25 for breakfast, $1 for lunch.
Recurring
Galaei has several programs coming up for Philly’s Black and Brown LGBTQ+ community including a book club, transgender support group, sexual health discussions, and more. Keep up on Galaei’s Instagram.
Recurring
To browse upcoming programs at Kensington, McPherson Square, and Lillian Marrero libraries, visit freelibrary.org/calendar.
Funding Opportunities
Does your business need extra security? Click here to apply for the City’s Business Security Camera Program. If your business is looking for 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.
General Election 2023
The General Election is on Nov. 7, 2023. Check out the Committee of Seventy’s free, interactive voter guide.
Interested in becoming a poll worker? Sign up here.
6ABC is hosting a mayoral candidate town hall tonight, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m.
Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts is hosting a virtual forum for Pennsylvania’s appellate courts on Oct. 24 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The Urban Affairs Coalition is hosting a mayoral candidate forum on Oct. 26 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Temple University’s Liacouras Center on 1776 N. Broad St. Philadelphians can submit questions when registering. Register here.
Jobs
Documenters
Resolve Philly, in partnership with City Bureau, is looking to train and hire community members to attend public meetings and take notes to share with the wider community. Pay is $17 per hour per assignment. Learn more here.
Free Library of Philadelphia
The Free Library of Philadelphia is hiring part-time library facility guards for custodial and security duties at branches throughout the city. The position will be for nine months and pay is $18 per hour.
Kensington Food Company
Kensington Food Company is hiring a warehouse team member. Tasks would include receiving shipments, packing orders, and delivery. Pay is $18 per hour for 30 hours per week. Apply here.
Providence Center
The Providence Center is hiring 2-4 high school students for a teen leadership internship. Interns would work 5 days for 11.5 hours per week. Pay is $12 per hour. Apply here.
Safe-Hub Philadelphia
Safe-Hub is hiring soccer coaches for the fall and spring seasons. Head coaches are paid $22 per hour while assistant and flex coaches are volunteer positions. 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. View listings here.
Meetings
Philadelphia City Council’s next stated meeting is Oct. 26 at 10 a.m. in Room 400 at City Hall. Community members can attend in-person or watch online. To give public testimony, you must call the phone number or send an email to the address listed in the agenda for that hearing by 3 p.m. the day before.
Services
Department of Health and Human Services
Every U.S. household can now order four COVID-19 rapid tests for free through the U.S. government. Click here to order tests.
Homebound Services
If you’re homebound or a caregiver of a homebound individual, you may be eligible for the Free Library’s Homebound Services. Books and other materials can be delivered to your home and returned for free. To apply for a Homebound Services Library Card, click here.
Philadelphia Department of Public Health
The health department is providing free air purifiers for early childhood centers and K-12 schools. If you’re an educator with an eligible classroom, click here to request a purifier.
Trainings
Mental Health First Aid
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.
Work Visas and Deferred Action for Immigrants in Philly
The City’s Department of Labor, Office of Worker Protections, and Office of Immigrant Affairs are partnering with the Department of Homeland Security, US Citizenship and Immigration Services to discuss the basics of work visas deferred action initiatives in a bilingual webinar on Oct. 27 at 3 p.m. Register here.
Volunteer Opportunities
Avenues of Change
Avenues of Change is looking for volunteers to assist with its afterschool programming for Kensington students. Volunteers must have a background check, fingerprinting, and child abuse clearances to participate. If interested, contact executive director Matt Nocho by calling 267-826-6740 or emailing AvenuesOfChange215@gmail.com
Kensington Soccer Club
Kensington Soccer Club is hosting a food drive from now until Nov. 21. Donors can drop off canned and non-perishable food items between Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 3400 J St., G4. Contact Brianna Banks at 267-972-9077 for more information.
Philly Community Wireless
Philly Community Wireless needs tech and outreach volunteers. Learn more here.
Sunday Love Project
Sunday Love Project is looking for volunteers at their Greater Goods grocery in Kensington. If you’re interested in acting as a personal shopper, helping pack bulk items, or stocking shelves, email Ryan@sundayloveproject.com.
St. Francis Inn
St. Francis Inn is accepting volunteers to work with them for a year. If interested, apply here.
Have something you’d like us to share in our Monday newsletter? Please send any news or press releases to editors@kensingtonvoice.com.
Newsletter edited by Jill Bauer-Reese & Khysir Carter
