Hello there, neighbors.

As the trees begin to shed their leaves and the flannels return in fashion for the season, we hope you all get to look back on a great summer. Here’s to autumn and a new week of events.

News (in case you missed it)

New faith-based resource center for people who use drugs opens on Allegheny and Frankford avenues

A faith-based organization that connects people who use drugs with off-site treatment and other services is expanding its footprint in Kensington with a resource center at Allegheny and Frankford Avenues.

The new Pennsylvania Adult and Teen Challenge (PAATC) center is open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with plans to eventually offer nighttime hours. The building has a lounge space where people can walk in for snacks and water and a hallway full of offices for meetings with recovery specialists.

“We want to get you off the street,” said PAATC spokesperson Shawn Ryan. “Let’s talk about options to get outta here, whether that’s treatment or whether that’s housing or whatever, we can’t keep doing this. We want to try to get you out of this lifestyle.”

Click here to read more.

Protest targets Philly prisons commissioner after Amanda Cahill, Michael McKinnis deaths: “You have blood on your hands”

About 40 people disrupted a criminal legal system panel at the Parkway Central Free Library on Tuesday night to protest the recent deaths of Amanda Cahill and Michael McKinnis, the inhumane conditions inside Philly jails, and call for an end to mass incarceration.

The panel event was part of the “Justice 101” series organized by the Eastern State Penitentiary, entitled “Excessive Punishment and Mass Incarceration,” and featured Michael Resnick, the Philadelphia Department of Prisons Commissioner. It was facilitated by Kerry Sautner, President and CEO of the Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site. 

Click here to read more.

We've also recently published a follow-up article regarding Cahill's death and how, moments before her passing, other inmates heard her screaming for help and banged on cell bars to get her medical attention. Click here to read more.

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 December.  

South Port Richmond Civic Association
When: Every second Wednesday from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Where: Veteran Boxers Association Ring at 12733 E. Clearfield St.
Contact: Find more information on the meeting here

Kensington Voice Activities & Events

September 30

We are hosting an International Podcast Day celebration on September 30th from 4 to 5:30 pm. This special event will feature a dynamic panel discussion and a networking mixer, offering a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow podcast enthusiasts and industry professionals. Click here to register.

October 7

Please join us at the Kensington Voice Community Baby Shower on October 7 from 6 pm to 8 pm for a fun-filled day celebrating parents-to-be and connecting them with resources. There will be free diapers, raffles, career connection resources, and more. Click here to register.

Activities & Events 

September 23

NKCDC is hosting a garden photo shoot at Tusculum Gateway Garden from 3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. Participants will take instant photos and participate in seed collection. 

September 24

H&H Books is hosting a poetry reading for “Earthly Gods,” a debut poetry collection by poet Jessica Nirvana Ram, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. “Earthly Gods” contains themes like expectations and the search for what “holy” means. Click here to register and learn more.

September 25 

Prevention Point Philadelphia is hosting its “Recover & Thrive” event for National Recovery Month from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be resources for those wanting to receive treatment, testimonials from individuals in recovery, and medical staff present to inform people of different options for treatment.

September 26

The Monkey Club is hosting its monthly open mic for comedians at 7 p.m. Sign-ups for the open mic start at 6:30 p.m., and each set will have 5 minutes. Click here to sign up.

September 28

Mural Arts Philadelphia and the We Here Community Advisory Committee are hosting the first “We Here Walk and Talk” event from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. This 90-minute event will start at the Kensington Storefront (3208 Kensington Ave) and feature the Kensington Corridor Trust Garden (3236 Kensington Ave.), the Free Church of St. John (3076 Emerald Street), and other places in the neighborhood along the way. Click here to register and learn more.

September 29

The Open Kitchen Sculpture Garden is hosting “Phytography on 16mm Workshop” from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Artist Craig Scheihing will instruct participants in a one-day workshop using plant materials harvested from the garden and the sun to create direct 16mm films. Click here to register and learn 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

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.

From now until October 8, Heitzman Recreation Center is hosting “Lady Wolves Intro to Sports” from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. This program will introduce girls ages 10 to 14 to different sports, build confidence, and teach them about organized sports. The program is free, but registration is required. To register, call 215-537-3233 or email heitzmanreccenter@phila.gov. 

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. 

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

Creative Resilient Youth(CRY)

Creative Resilient Youth(CRY) is extending the application deadline for its Queer Theory Cohort to October 1. The Queer Theory Cohort is a new, paid opportunity for queer and BIPOC youth between the ages of 15-24 to study queer theory and make art together. The cohort is limited to 15 participants and will include:

• Studying artworks, essays, etc
• Having discussions with one another about what queerness means to them
• Learning what it means to own and tell their stories as queer youth/people

Click here to apply and learn more.

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.

Women In Nontraditional Careers (WINC)

Women In Nontraditional Careers (WINC) is currently supporting women 18 years and older in Philadelphia to apply to Fall pre-apprenticeship training at the Finishing Trades Institute - MAR from October 15 to November 21. This 6-week program focused on skills required for careers in the construction trades and help them build the math and personal skills to qualify for apprenticeship work. WINC works to increase and advance the participation of women in the trades and connect them to job opportunities. Applicants must have a high school diploma/GED, a valid driver’s license, and pass a drug test. To apply and learn more, click here. 

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.

Pennsylvania Department of Revenue

The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue is offering the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program to older adults and people with disabilities ages 18 and up. The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program supports homeowners and renters across Pennsylvania by providing a rebate ranging from $380 to $1,000. To learn more and apply, click here.

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

Boys & Girls Club

The Boys & Girls Club is hiring for multiple job openings. To apply, contact Libby Lascalleet at lescalleetl@bgcphila.org. 

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. 

Septa

Septa is hiring for multiple skilled trade positions, such as Plumber and Millwright. Click here to apply and learn more.

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. 

Want to support our work? 

This newsletter, all of our stories, and our programs are all made possible by grant funding and the support of our readers. Please consider becoming a paid member or making a donation to ensure our important community-based work continues to be accessible to all.

We are also accepting volunteers to support us with community events, writing op-eds for the publication, and mentoring our youth during our afterschool/summer programs. Click here to register.

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.