Backpack season is underway! We’ve got lots of places for you to scoop up new school supplies before classes start – plus a few opportunities to get wet and cool off on hot days.
McPherson Square Library, which has been closed since June 21st due to a broken air conditioning system, may reopen by next Tuesday in time for a meeting with the City of Philadelphia’s Rebuild program.
The Norris Square Neighborhood Profile, released in July, explored rising housing costs and other shifts in the neighborhood. This resource list points residents to support.
Kensington news: backpack giveaways, a water gun fight and more
Backpack season is underway! We’ve got lots of places for you to scoop up new school supplies before classes start – plus a few opportunities to get wet and cool off on hot days.
(From left) Dayron and Dylan, summer camp participants, hold up drawings created by Corey Cooper, an art teacher with Mural Arts at Mother of Mercy House in Kensington on July 1, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)
Backpack season is underway! We’ve got lots of places for you to scoop up new school supplies before classes start – plus a few opportunities to get wet and cool off on hot days.
Also, the New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC) is collecting feedback from residents on what they’d like to see happen with commercial corridors. Find the survey here.
And with that, the newsletter.
Recent News
Latest city opioid prevention program awards funds to select Kensington groups, leaves some past grantees out
A new batch of organizations will receive $2.2 million in grants from the city’s 2025 Opioid Prevention and Community Healing Fund (OPCH), after what some groups called delayed and unclear communication. This year’s list of 22 organizations looks different from last year’s, as only some grantees were reinvited to apply.
In the past, the fund included both $100,000 grants and $20,000 grants. The Office of Public Safety said that only groups that formerly received the larger amount were invited to reapply for this round.
McPherson Square Library to remain closed next week, with Rebuild community engagement meeting scheduled
McPherson Square Library, which has been closed since June 21st due to a broken air conditioning system, will not reopen in time for a planned August 12 meeting with the City of Philadelphia’s Rebuild program, according to a library system spokesperson.
The meeting will take place outside McPherson instead. The spokesperson did not provide a ballpark reopening date.
Do you have a story idea or free activity we should share with our readers? Email editors@kensingtonvoice.com.
Free Activities & Events
August 12
Book debut event hosted by H&H Books at 2230 Frankford Ave. from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Author Mariah Rigg recently released her debut book, “Extinction Capital of the World: Stories,” a collection of short stories with themes such as family, queer love and environmental collapse. Visit this link to register for this event and learn more.
Rebuild Community Engagement Meeting hosted by the City of Philadelphia at McPherson Square Library (outside, at 601 East Indiana Avenue) at 6 p.m. Residents can share their thoughts on a library redesign, with construction to begin next fall.
August 13
Community Potluck hosted by Open Kitchen Sculpture Garden at 2241 N. Philip Street from 6 to 9 p.m. Bring something to share and learn how to make a Guatemalan style tamale with the featured artist Chela Ixcopal.
August 15
Back to School Resource Fair with Congreso de Latinos Unidos at 2800 N. American St. from 1 to 3 p.m. Backpack and produce giveaways, community resources and more.
Back to School Bash with a Splash hosted by the Harrowgate Civic Associationat Heitzman Recreation Center (3631 Amber St.) from 3 to 5 p.m. There will be arts and crafts, a waterslide, food, and free backpacks and other school supplies for kids.
August 16
Classroom Kickoff hosted by Councilmember Quetcy Lozada at 4821 Frankford Ave. at 10 a.m. There will be free backpacks, health resources and more.
Community Water Gun Fight hosted by the Old Lady Gang at Harrowgate Park (3455 Kensington Ave.) from 12 to 3 p.m. Feel free to bring your own water guns, but any water guns that are not brightly colored or resemble real guns will not be allowed.
Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway with Safe-Hub at Scanlon Recreation Center (1099 E. Venango St.) Free backpacks, music, activities and more.
August 17
Board game day at Hive 76 from 2 to 5 p.m. Hive 76 offers a selection of board games for community members. Visit this link to register and learn more.
Weekly Events
Weekdays
Free summer activities hosted by Impact Services at McPherson Square Library (601 E. Indiana Ave.) from 12 to 4 p.m. There will be arts & crafts, outdoor games and more.
Impact Summer camp hosted by Street Soccer USA, Kensington Soccer Club, and Impact Services at Hissey Playground (Indiana Avenue and Boudinot Street) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The camp will run from August 4 to August 22 and is for boys and girls ages 6 to 14. Programming includes soccer games, skill-building activities and more. Visit this link to register and learn more.
Mondays and Fridays
Mothers Helping Mothers Women of Power Group supported by Mural Arts and NKDCDCmeets at Community Center at Visitation (2646 E. Kensington Ave.) from 12:30-2:30 p.m. to heal from trauma related to gun violence and overdose. Email Brenda Mosley at byfaithenternal@gmail.com to learn more.
Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays
Free summer activities hosted by Impact Services from 12 to 4 p.m. from now until August 22. The programming will take place at Hope Park (A Street & Indiana Avenue) on Tuesdays, Hissey Playground (C Street & Indiana Avenue) on Wednesdays and Harrowgate Park (3455 Kensington Ave.) on Thursdays. There will be sports activities, games and more.
Thursday
Teen mentorship program hosted by Timoteo Sports at The CORE (3222 H St.) from 4 to 5:30 p.m. The program is for teens ages 12 to 18 and provides participants with goal setting, character development and confidence building. Food will be provided. Visit this link to register your teen and learn more.
Monthly Community Meetings
East Kensington Neighbors Association meets every third Monday in person at the Philadelphia Brewing Co. (2440 Frankford Ave.) at 7 p.m. Contact info@ekna.org for more information.
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 Kensington Business Assistance Program is accepting applications from small businesses. The NKCDC program offers financial services, legal support, marketing, tech support and more. Learn more and apply here.
The Philadelphia Department of Commerce is offering its Small Business Catalyst Fund to qualifying small businesses. The grant for each business could go up to $50,000 and includes business education and technical support. To qualify, your business must be located in Philadelphia, be up to date on city taxes or have been approved for a tax payment agreement, and be registered and licensed with the City of Philadelphia. Visit this link to apply and learn more.
The Department of Commerce is hiring for multiple positions, including Small Business Programs Manager, Business Service Manager and more. Visit this link to apply and learn more.
Services
Free lunch giveaway at 3105 Gaul St. every week from Monday through Friday from 12 to 2 p.m. Lunch will not be served on July 4.
Summer lunch program for children at the Simple Way Community Library at 3234 Potter Street from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Books are available for checkout by both children and adults.
Sammy brings a trauma-informed, community-engaged lens to police accountability and public health coverage—from her prior role as WHYY’s first gun-violence prevention reporter to her work hosting award-winning, survivor-centered podcasts.
Khysir Carter is a multimedia journalist, writer, and editor from Kensington who covers community stories, builds local partnerships, and engages youth in finding their creative voice through writing and multimedia.
