Hello, neighbors.
We hope you're enjoying the start of the school year and that all of the local back-to-school events have eased your minds and wallets. Here’s a rundown of events and resources for you 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)
A year after Eddie Irizarry’s death, dozens gather in Kensington to advocate for police accountability
Dozens gathered in the rain on Sunday to demand justice for Eddie Irizarry, a 27-year-old man who former Philadelphia police officer Mark Dial fatally shot during a traffic stop in Kensington last year.
The rally took place a few days after the first anniversary of Irizarry’s death near the intersection of Willard and Lee streets, where Dial shot him. It also followed the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office’s recent decision to drop the first-degree murder charge against Dial. Dial, 28, who is out on bail, will now face a third-degree murder charge, among others.
“We want to make sure that nobody in this community forgets and that the city of Philadelphia doesn’t forget Eddie,” said Talia Giles, an organizer with the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL), one of the groups that organized the event.
Click here to read more.
Philly police have “tentative strategy” to clear Kensington-area school pathways: “a band-aid over a burst pipe,” residents say
Philly police have a “tentative strategy” to clear school pathways in Kensington and nearby neighborhoods affected by the open-air drug market, but with many students heading back to school next week, details remain unclear.
“I want the children to be able to go to school without having to see anyone using drugs, and I don’t need them to pass through trash that stinks or any type of hazardous material,” said Sgt. Mike Hanuscin, who leads the East Service Detail, which is part of the city’s East Division.
Click here to read more.
Photos of Kensington: Harrowgate's “Old Lady Gang” hosts second annual water gun fight at Harrowgate Park
Harrowgate's “Old Lady Gang” hosted their second annual “Community Water Gun Fight” in Harrowgate Park.
Check out photos of the event here.
Photos of Kensington: Kids gear up for school at “Classroom Kickoff” event on Frankford Avenue
District 7 Councilmember Quetcy Lozada's office hosted a “Classroom Kickoff” event under the El on Frankford Avenue.
Check out photos of the event here.
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
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 they meet the following Monday)
Where: Online Zoom meeting
Contact: phillysnbl@gmail.com
*There is no SNBL meeting in August or December.
Back-to-School Party 🍕
Please join us for our "Back-to-School Party" event at our office located at 3237 Amber Street on August 26 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. We'll have clothes mending and decorating activities, voter registration assistance, and cheese pizza provided by PMA Bike Ride. Click here to register.
Activities & Events
August 29
Richmond Library is hosting its "Read, Baby, Read Storytime and Play Group" event at 10:30 a.m. for babies and their caregivers. Join to engage with your child for a story and playtime.
McPherson Square Library is hosting an information session for city jobs from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Computers will be available for all who wish to apply and assistance will be available.
August 30
Ray Philly is hosting the opening reception of Ken Lum’s “Klump!” exhibition from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Lum is known for his conceptual and representational art in a number of media, including painting, sculpture, and photography. Click here to register and learn more.
September 1
Sidewalk Girl Talk is hosting its “Sunday Funday Market” at OG Pizza from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. There will be hand-crafted goods from local vendors, pizza, and more.
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.
The Food Trust is hosting a Farmer's Market at 4th St. and Lehigh Ave. every Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Every week, The Food Trust’s nutrition educators visit this farmers market to show you how to make a delicious, nutritious seasonal recipe — plus hand out free taste tests and prizes.
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.
West Kensington Ministries is hosting Zumba classes every Saturday at 10 a.m. All are welcome, and the entry fee is pay-what-you-can.
Sundays
Izlas Food Truck is hosting its Salsa on American Street event every Sunday from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. Join fellow community members in learning the art of salsa and enjoying Latin music. Click here to register and learn 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.
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.
Kensington Soccer Club
Kensington Soccer Club is hiring OST soccer coaches for the upcoming season. To apply, send a resume to christian@kensingtonsoccer.org.
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.
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 Afterschool Program
Mondays - Thursdays, 3:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.
3237 Amber Street, 3rd Floor
Kensington Voice's Youth Voices after-school program is open to children and youth in grades 6 through 12 on Monday through Thursday from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Youth are invited to join us for workshops and activities based on creative writing, journalism, poetry/spoken word, and visual storytelling. All students under the age of 18 must obtain permission from a parent or guardian to participate in after-school workshops and drop-in activities.
Click here to sign up and learn more.
Contact Khysir Carter at khy@kensingtonvoice.com with questions.
Thank you to this week's sponsor 🙏
A big thank you to Forin Cafe for donating free breakfast to the Kensington Voice Staff for a staff retreat last Thursday.
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