Updated 06/12/23, 2:15 PM
It looks like it’ll be a busy week in the neighborhood. Need a roundup of the local news impacting Kensington?
Kensington Voice publishes weekly news updates to increase community information. There’s a monthly roundup in our print newspaper, too.
Here’s this week’s roundup below.
FREE ACTIVITIES: To browse upcoming programs at Kensington, McPherson Square, and Lillian Marrero libraries, visit freelibrary.org/calendar.
COMMUNITY GARDEN SUPPORT: NKCDC’s Community Garden Application closes this Monday, June 12. NKCDC is teaming up with Rite Aid Healthy Futures to build, maintain, and program several existing or proposed gardens within the priority area. To apply, go to NKCDC’s website.
PUBLIC SAFETY MEETING: City Council’s Public Safety Committee has postponed its second public hearing about the open-air drug market in Kensington, scheduled for this Monday, June 12, at Conwell Middle School. A new date is to be determined.
ARTS AND RESOURCES: This Thursday, June 14, there will be a Wellness Resource Fair at Rock Ministries from 10-1 p.m. and a community art event at Taller from 6-9 p.m.
HACE’S TEAM NAS: Voters ages 18 and up in HACE’s NAC service area can vote for this year’s Team NAS members. Early voting is available at HACE (167 W. Allegheny Ave.) Monday to Friday, 9-5 p.m. The Neighborhood Election Day is this Wednesday, June 14, 4-7 p.m., at HACE, Harrowgate Park, and online on Zoom. Learn more about the candidates here. For questions, email smonteiro@hacecdc.org or call 215-426-8025, ext. 3011.
CLOTHING SWAP: Kensington Corridor Trust, Climate Action PA, and Veggie Mijas Philly are hosting a community clothing swap this Saturday, June 17, from 12-3 p.m. at 3236 Kensington Ave.
COMMUNITY EVENTS AND DRUMMING: Philly Talking Drums will perform at St. Francis Inn’s block party this Sunday, June 18, 11-12:30 p.m., the Simple Way Garden next Monday, June 19, 2-3 p.m., until July 31, Harrowgate Park next Tuesday, June 20, 2-3 p.m., until July 25, and McPherson Square Park next Wednesday, June 21, 2:30-3:30 p.m., until July 26.
MOVIE NIGHT: Friends of Harrowgate Park will host a free Juneteenth Movie Night next Monday, June 19 at 7 p.m. Attendees must bring their own seating or blankets for viewing. For more information, email friendsofharrowgatepark@gmail.com.
FREE DIAPERS: The Greater Philadelphia Diaper Bank’s monthly distribution day is next Wednesday, June 21, at 11 a.m. at 3525 I St., facing Venango Street.
HOME REPAIRS: Rebuilding Together Philadelphia (RTP) recently organized a Kensington Block Builds event where volunteers and neighbors repaired multiple homes on North Swanson Street. Read more about RTP’s Block Builds program on KV’s website.
KV NEWSROOM: The goal of Klean Kensington is beautification and to give teens the opportunity to make money. Kensington resident and block captain Jeremy Chen pays teens to clean and green their own blocks. Read the full story on KV’s website.
KV LAB: Miss Awilda’s Media Learning Lab is a safe, supportive space where people of all ages can access free computers, the internet, creative software, and learning support. The lab is located inside Kensington Voice’s office space at 3237 Amber St., 3rd floor. It is open Monday through Friday from 10:30-2:30 p.m. Get a free membership by filling out this registration form. Questions? Email daisie@kensingtonvoice.com.
KV YOUTH PROGRAM: The Youth Voices Program is a free program for youth in grades 6-12 at Kensington Voice’s office space. The program director provides activities based on creative writing, poetry, visual storytelling, and more. The afterschool program is Monday to Thursday, 3:30-6 p.m. Summer hours will be announced soon. To register, fill out this form. Questions? Email khy@kensingtonvoice.com.
KV NEWSROOM: Cianie Soler, a Mastbaum High School student, wrote the poem, “Dream Mom,” about her relationship with her mother. Read Soler’s poem on KV’s website.
KV NEWSROOM: Sharai Rollins, a Mastbaum High School student, wrote a short story, “How the Rich Stay Rich,” about a man who was forced by his best friend to rob a bank. Read Rollins’ short story on KV’s website.
KSC TOURNAMENT: Kensington Soccer Club’s Kensington Community Cup 5v5 soccer tournament will be on Saturday, July 15, 12-8 p.m, at the South Philly Super Site. Team entry fees are $100 for youth and $150 for men and women. Register online by Saturday, July 1. For more info, email Brianna@kensingtonsoccer.org or call 267-528-4168.
HARROWGATE CLEAN UPS: The Harrowgate Civic Association is hosting block clean-ups the second Saturday of the month from now until October, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. For more information, contact Pamela Ramos at pamela.ramos@phila.gov or 267-239-1360.
ARTISTS AND VENDORS: NKCDC’s Community Health Workers are putting a call-out for artists and vendors to participate in their annual Health & Wellness Resource Fair on Saturday, July 22, 1-5 p.m. For more info, email bsmall@nkcdc.org, gcollier-jefferson@nkcdc.org, or call 215-427-0350, ext. 120.
JOBS: Safe-Hub Philadelphia is hiring a Collective Impact Program Coordinator. It is a full-time position based in Kensington. Responsibilities include community outreach and program, operating partnership, and community event coordination. To apply, send an application to Liam Connolly at connolly@edufootball.org.
VOTER REGISTRATION: You can register to vote online, by mail, or in person at the Voter Registration Office at 520 N Columbus Blvd., 5th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19123. You can also call the office at 215-686-1590 to request voter registration applications by mail.
Please send any news or press releases to editors@kensingtonvoice.com.
Editors: Daisie Cardona, Siani Colón Designer: Zari Tarazona
