Happy St. Patrick’s Day, neighbors.

Still have the energy to celebrate after last weekend? Here's a list of St. Patrick’s Day events to check out from our partner Billy Penn.

Now, here’s your weekly roundup.

Recent News

Mayor Parker spotlights Kensington, proposes major police spending, Riverview recovery house expansion in budget address

For the second consecutive year, Mayor Cherelle Parker centered Kensington in her budget address Thursday. She recognized the Kensington Caucus while unveiling a $6.7 billion budget proposal that includes major spending on policing, prisons, and a “wellness ecosystem” largely represented by a city building complex that various trade unions gutted and converted into an addiction recovery housing facility in Northeast Philadelphia.

Parker’s spending plan includes $216 million over five years on the “wellness ecosystem,” mostly for the Riverview Wellness Village, a 336-bed recovery housing facility for people who have completed between 30 and 90 days of substance use treatment. She is also seeking $65 million in capital funding over the next year to expand Riverview’s building capacity to 600 beds by constructing an additional residential site. “Since day one of my administration, we have worked shoulder to shoulder with the residents of Kensington to end this opioid-driven humanitarian crisis once and for all,” Parker said.

Free Activities & Events

March 18

“Coffee & Capital” business finance event hosted by Impact Services at StarBolt Philly (1936 N. Front St.) from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Business owners can come and meet with a loan officer, explore different funding opportunities and more. Go here to register and learn more.

March 19

Hub4Health resource fair hosted by Esperanza Health Center at the CORE (3222 H St.) from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. There will be free food, clothes, housing resources and more.

March 20

Virtual community meeting hosted by Mural Arts Philadelphia from 6 to 7 p.m. The meeting will be held to reveal a design for an upcoming mural at Front Street and Susquehanna Avenue. This mural will celebrate the history of the Norris Square community and its Caribbean roots and will be painted by local artists Dan One, Calo Rosa and the Taína Sisters. Go here to register and learn more.
Book launch at Julia de Burgos Bookstore (2600 N. 5th St.) from 7 to 9 p.m. Author Dalina Soto will talk with Amy Rivera-Nassar about Soto’s latest book, “The Latina Anti-Diet,” which focuses on breaking away from dieting and incorporating cultural foods into cooking. The conversation will be followed by an open Q&A and book signing. Go here to register and learn more.

March 22

Community Resource Fair hosted by Councilmember Quetcy Lozada at Roberto Clemente Middle School (122 W. Erie Ave.) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Attendees will learn about employment opportunities, utility resources and more.
Building Opportunities Strategically Sound (B.O.S.S) workshop hosted by ROSEBUDS Mentoring Program Inc at 401 Norris St. from 1 to 4 p.m. The workshop will highlight six businesswomen and their entrepreneurial experiences. There will be a Q&A segment, free lunch and more. 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.