Philadelphia council members won’t ‘rubber stamp’ school closure plan
The final vote on the closure plan will come from the school board but City Council members said Tuesday they want their input to be considered.
“Our families deserve a school they can walk to:” Stetson community rallies against closure
A Philadelphia school district official admitted the district has neglected Stetson’s building for decades. Students and educators questioned the district’s data and scoring of the school’s capacity.
Philadelphia council members won’t ‘rubber stamp’ school closure plan
The final vote on the closure plan will come from the school board but City Council members said Tuesday they want their input to be considered.
Cantina La Martina brings tamales and tradition to Kensington for fourth annual La Tamalada
Tables of tamales, family recipes and new twists filled The Lighthouse as residents and visitors came together for a fourth year of tradition and community.
Historic Fair Hill’s mural tour preserves neighborhood Black history for future generations
The walking tour introduced preteens to the history in their own neighborhood — from abolition-era organizing to the messages still painted on today’s walls.
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Latest Stories
Philadelphia council members won’t ‘rubber stamp’ school closure plan
The final vote on the closure plan will come from the school board but City Council members said Tuesday they want their input to be considered.
Cantina La Martina brings tamales and tradition to Kensington for fourth annual La Tamalada
Tables of tamales, family recipes and new twists filled The Lighthouse as residents and visitors came together for a fourth year of tradition and community.
Historic Fair Hill’s mural tour preserves neighborhood Black history for future generations
The walking tour introduced preteens to the history in their own neighborhood — from abolition-era organizing to the messages still painted on today’s walls.
“Our families deserve a school they can walk to:” Stetson community rallies against closure
A Philadelphia school district official admitted the district has neglected Stetson’s building for decades. Students and educators questioned the district’s data and scoring of the school’s capacity.
New workshop series asks Kensington residents to help shape greener public spaces
Neighbors and community organizers gathered at the Kensington Engagement Center to kick off Co-Creating a Greenprint for Kensington, a workshop series organized by NKCDC focused on expanding and improving safe public green spaces.
Prevention Point hosts free HIV testing event to highlight racial disparities in care
Black Americans account for 40% of people living with HIV but are far less likely to be prescribed preventive medication.
‘It feels like we are grieving’: Philadelphia school communities fight school closure plan
Philadelphia school communities are pushing back against the district’s plan to close 20 schools. At Conwell Middle School, community leaders urged the district not to take resources away from the neighborhood.
‘Life or death issue’: Kensington schools seek higher graduation rates by embedding student support
Over 25% of West Kensington residents don’t have a high school diploma. Embedded advisers and support could help students overcome poverty and other systemic barriers, experts say.
Philly school closure plan would move Kensington students to lower-performing schools
Concerns grow that Philadelphia’s school closure plan disadvantages some already vulnerable neighborhoods.
West Kensington Ministry leads immigrant justice vigil outside Philly ICE office
Faith leaders and community members braved the cold outside Philadelphia’s ICE office to reflect, pray and call for justice amid heightened immigration enforcement.
“Conwell should not be on that list:” Lozada, parents resist district’s plans to close two Kensington middle schools
Despite declining enrollment, parents and City Council member Quetcy Lozada describe Conwell and Stetson as community anchors and resource hubs.
Conwell grad Councilmember Isaiah Thomas opposes middle school's closure
A key member of the Philadelphia City Council has already expressed opposition to parts of the district’s plan to close, relocate, and co-locate several schools.
Accountability Spotlight See All Stories →
“Our families deserve a school they can walk to:” Stetson community rallies against closure
A Philadelphia school district official admitted the district has neglected Stetson’s building for decades. Students and educators questioned the district’s data and scoring of the school’s capacity.
“Conwell should not be on that list:” Lozada, parents resist district’s plans to close two Kensington middle schools
Despite declining enrollment, parents and City Council member Quetcy Lozada describe Conwell and Stetson as community anchors and resource hubs.
New Kensington ‘fast-track court’ lands most with warrants, back into the cycle of addiction and homelessness
Kensington Voice collected and verified data on 87 people who were arrested during the first months of the program and tracked their journeys through the court. Most ended up with Wellness Court bench warrants after the city lost contact with them.
Most of Philly’s opioid settlement money to go to Riverview Wellness Village recovery housing facility
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker’s administration plans to allocate more to Riverview than to all other opioid settlement money initiatives combined.
Community Joy & Resilience
Cantina La Martina brings tamales and tradition to Kensington for fourth annual La Tamalada
Tables of tamales, family recipes and new twists filled The Lighthouse as residents and visitors came together for a fourth year of tradition and community.
Historic Fair Hill’s mural tour preserves neighborhood Black history for future generations
The walking tour introduced preteens to the history in their own neighborhood — from abolition-era organizing to the messages still painted on today’s walls.
West Kensington Ministry leads immigrant justice vigil outside Philly ICE office
Faith leaders and community members braved the cold outside Philadelphia’s ICE office to reflect, pray and call for justice amid heightened immigration enforcement.
Photos of Kensington: Celebrating 41 years of Feria del Barrio
Neighbors gathered along North 5th Street for the 41st annual Feria del Barrio, celebrating Latinx culture through music, dance, and art.
Neighborhood Voices
Cuts to SNAP and SNAP-Ed: A war on Kensington families
. Cutting both direct assistance and evidence-based education is like declaring war on the people of Kensington. Food security means more than just access to food.
You can rise again: Recovery is possible for those who are ready
September was National Recovery Month. Luis Soto shares his journey to sobriety and how working with others has helped him heal.
Condiciones sistémicas que dificultan el acceso a la licencia de marternidad en la ciudad
La licencia de maternidad debe estar entre las prioridades de las políticas públicas. Si bien la ley actual es insuficiente, su factibilidad es menor para mujeres de comunidades vulnerabilizadas.
Systemic conditions hinder access to maternity care
Maternity leave must be a public policy priority. While current law is insufficient, it’s even more inaccessible for women in vulnerable communities.
Resources & Solutions
New workshop series asks Kensington residents to help shape greener public spaces
Neighbors and community organizers gathered at the Kensington Engagement Center to kick off Co-Creating a Greenprint for Kensington, a workshop series organized by NKCDC focused on expanding and improving safe public green spaces.
‘Life or death issue’: Kensington schools seek higher graduation rates by embedding student support
Over 25% of West Kensington residents don’t have a high school diploma. Embedded advisers and support could help students overcome poverty and other systemic barriers, experts say.
New nonprofit promises paid, yearslong mentors for kids in Kensington and North Philly
Friends of the Children offers families a commitment that the program will be there in a child’s life from kindergarten through high school graduation — “12+ no matter what,” they say.
Philly’s only 2025 gift guide with spiritual consults, PPA evasion and a Kensington Jason Kelce tee
This year’s holiday gift guide highlights creative, hyperlocal gifts that support Kensington’s artists, makers, and small businesses.
Small Business Stories
Philly launches $600K emergency grants to aid small grocers hit by SNAP shutdown
Applications are open through Dec. 31 on the Merchants Fund website. Priority will go to small, locally owned retailers operating in low-income neighborhoods.
Philly’s only 2025 gift guide with spiritual consults, PPA evasion and a Kensington Jason Kelce tee
This year’s holiday gift guide highlights creative, hyperlocal gifts that support Kensington’s artists, makers, and small businesses.
Thunderbird LLC embraces community through second-hand items and events
What began as a small salvage business in 2016 has grown into a community cornerstone. George Mathes’ Thunderbird LLC now unites Kensington through vintage treasures and local events.
For Philadelphia Latine Business owners, passing down culture and business intertwine
Today there are nearly 12,000 Latine-owned businesses in the city, but it wasn’t always like this. Success now is the result of generations of hard work.
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Weekly Newsletter
What's happening in Kensington: Week of Feb. 2, 2026
Free HIV/AIDS testing event, business tax prep workshop and more.
What's happening in Kensington: Week of Jan. 26, 2026
‘Right to the City’ board game play session, hat knitting workshop and more.
What's happening in Kensington: Week of Jan. 19, 2026
MLK Day cleanup, Lost Time comedy show and more.
What's happening in Kensington: Week of Jan. 12, 2026
Family Fort Night, MLK Day of Service event and job search assistance.