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Weekly Newsletter

Kensington news: Queer poetry workshop, screen printing workshop and more

,   and  By Khysir Carter
5 min read
(From left) Paula Rivera Calderón, a Kensington-based artist from San Juan, Puerto Rico, stands with artist and curator Jacob “Chris” Hammes after the ribbon cutting for “Prevention Point,” a new mural at the Love Lot created in collaboration with Mural Arts Philadelphia.

Hi there, neighbors.

Looking to learn a new skill or access new resources? This week is filled with workshops and resource fairs taking place in the neighborhood. 

Check it out below.

Recent News 

Local artist creates new mural at the Love Lot: “Reciprocity is a mutual exchange.”

Puerto-Rico-born and Philly-raised artist Paula Rivera Calderon creates the third Love Lot mural in dedication to Prevention Point, with the theme of reciprocation.

“Reciprocity is a mutual exchange,” she said. “We exist here. We're giving in to our surroundings, and our surroundings are also part of us.”

Read more here.

City Council passes budget, Parker’s housing plan

Mayor Cherelle Parker celebrated the passage of her second city budget Thursday afternoon, after lawmakers approved a spending-and-tax plan along with a measure to borrow $800 million to fund her housing initiative.

The budget – totaling about $13.4 billion across operating and capital expenses – invests in many of the same priorities she has pursued since taking office in January 2024, including block cleaning programs, extended-day/extended-year schooling and establishing a “wellness” system to address Kensington’s opioid crisis.

Read more here, and visit Metro Philadelphia to view the original published version of this article.

News Tips

Do you have a story idea or free activity we should share with our readers? Email editors@kensingtonvoice.com. 

Free Activities & Events 

June 16

  • City Budget 101 neighborhood workshop hosted by Equally Informed Philly at the Kensington Engagement Center (3000 Kensington Ave.) from 3 to 5 p.m. Attendees will learn who makes the decisions for the city budget and how they can be involved in how it’s used. Visit this link to register and learn more.
  • Queer poetry workshop at McPherson Square Library (601 E. Indiana Ave.) from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Philly poet Stephanie Cawley will lead a one-off workshop based on queerness and encourage participants to explore what it means to see the world in a queer lens. 

June 17 

  • Hands-on cooking class at the Kensington Library (104 W. Dauphin St.) at 3 p.m. Pennsylvania State SNAP-Ed Program employees will teach basic cooking skills and more about the foods they make at home. 

June 18

  • Hub4Health resource fair hosted by Esperanza Health Center at the CORE (3222 H St.) from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. There will be free food, clothing, housing resources and more.
  • Family community day and resource fair hosted by the 24th Police District at Ferko Playground (1101 E. Cayuga St.) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be games, resources and more.
  • Free HIV testing at Prevention Point Philadelphia (2910 Ruth Street) at 12 p.m. Anyone who takes an HIV test receives a $5 Wawa gift card. The event will also include water ice, pretzels, water, and music. 
  •  The Philly Obituary Project is holding paid trainings for people who've lost loved ones to gun violence from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.  Writers will receive a $200 stipend for writing an obituary, which will be published at phillyobitproject.com and on kensingtonvoice.com . Register for this and following iterations here.

June 20

  • Screen printing workshop hosted by Mural Arts Philadelphia and Creative Community Works at 1800 N. American St. from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Attendees will create art inspired by the Declaration of Independence using text, design and imagery of the Liberty Bell, all based on concepts created by CCW artists. Some of the work created in this workshop may serve as inspiration for an upcoming mural that will be featured in an exhibition at the Parkway Central Library in 2026. Visit this link to register and learn more.

June 21

  • “Screenprinting for Spiritual Alignment” workshop, hosted by Fireball Printing at 2644 Coral St., from 2 to 4 p.m. Attendees will engage in a free workshop that combines art with spirituality. Visit this link to register and learn more.

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

  • Harrowgate Run Club at Harrowgate Park (3455 Kensington Ave.) from 6:45 to 7:30 a.m. The run club begins April 15 and is open to runners and walkers of all levels.

Wednesdays

  • Plant Power Hour hosted by New Kensington Community Development Corporation at Kensington Engagement Center (3000 Kensington Avenue) from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Seeds, gardening tips and snacks are provided.

Fridays and Saturdays

  • Play Captains games and activities hosted by Fab Youth Philly at McPherson Square Park (601 E. Indiana Ave.) on Fridays from 3:30 to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be games, outdoor activities and 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. 

Free Trainings

  • Beyond Literacy is offering free test prep classes for jobs in the energy industry. These classes prepare participants for the Construction and Skilled Trades (CAST) and Assistant Mechanic Operator (AMO) tests, which will open doors for jobs like Distribution Mechanic, Energy Technician and more. The registration deadline is June 20, 2025. Visit this link to apply and learn more.

Funding Opportunities

  • 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 city’s Business Security Camera Program is open for applications. Businesses who use the program must register their cameras with the Philadelphia Police Department, which allows the police to contact the business to view footage in case of a crime.

Jobs

  • Lutheran Settlement House is hiring for several positions, including Administrative Assistant, Education and Youth Coordinator and Shelter Case Manager. Visit this link to apply and learn more.

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Help us do what we do by donating or volunteering today. 

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