Hello, neighbors.

The Office of Clean and Green Initiatives will sponsor a citywide community cleanup day this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The goal of the cleanup is to remove 100,000 pounds of trash from streets, sidewalks and vacant lots and to beautify neighborhoods. You can register a cleanup project–including park and neighborhood cleanup projects–or volunteer for a pre-registered project here.

Anyway, here is your weekly roundup.

Recent News

‘Basketball is the medium’: Kensington nonprofits launch free league to prevent violence among young men

While gun violence has declined citywide over the past year, Kensington remains a hot spot for fatal and nonfatal shootings, according to city data. With that in mind, NKCDC’s Cure Violence team partnered with Esperanza Health Center this winter to host a free basketball league for men in the 18-40 age group. The goal was to decrease gun violence in a demographic that is disproportionately impacted by it, according to Cure Violence Outreach Coordinator Tyreek Counts. Hosting a free league for them was a clear solution.

“A lot of dumb things are going on with this age group. So, it's real big for us to be doing this,” he said. “If you go around throughout the city, there's no leagues for this age group, unless they’re coming out of pocket.”

Free Activities & Events

March 31

Spring hiring event hosted by COMHAR at 100 W Lehigh Ave. from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The mental health and clinical treatment center is hosting this event to recruit folks for roles like Behavioral Health Technician and Mental Health Technician. Go here to register and learn more.

April 1

Arts & Crafts workshop hosted by Impact Services at McPherson Library (601 E. Indiana Ave.) from 3 to 5 p.m. Attendees will make wreaths and other spring-themed art. Refreshments will be provided.
Bible Nook at CHANGE Church (1600 N 5th St.) from 7 to 9 p.m. The Bible Nook offers an environment to connect with others for bible study and other activities. Go here to register and learn more.

April 2

“Translations” Performance show hosted by Pig Iron Theatre Company at 1417 N. 2nd St. from 7:30 to 9 p.m. “Translations” is a theatrical rendering of movies and novels with “heart-twisting melodramas and hysterical human comedies.” This show contains mature themes and is recommended for audiences ages 14 and above. Reception to follow. Go here to register and learn more.

April 3

Free digital skills workshop hosted by Beyond Literacy at Lillian Marrero Library (601 W. Lehigh Ave.) from 2 to 4 p.m. Participants will learn basic computer skills, how to send emails and more.

April 4

“Edible Alphabet” English and cooking class at Lillian Marrero Library (601 W. Lehigh Ave.) from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Adults are invited to this class to learn English through reading, writing and speaking the language while cooking a meal together. Go here to register and learn more.
Ribbon cutting event hosted by HACE at Rivera Recreation Center (3201 N. 5th St.) at 4:30 p.m. This event celebrates the reopening of the Rivera Reacreation Center and the Mann Older Adults Center, done by Rebuild Philadelphia.

April 5

Kern Park cleanup and planting day event hosted by Arcadia Commons at Kern Park (2555-2557 Kern St.) at 3 p.m. Arcadia Commons is inviting community members to help clean up the park and plant new fauna as part of Mayor Parker’s “One Philly, United City” initiative. Cleaning and gardening tools are provided.

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.

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.