Applications are open through Dec. 31 on the Merchants Fund website. Priority will go to small, locally owned retailers operating in low-income neighborhoods.
Photos of Kensington:Celebrating the Revitalization of Rivera Recreation Center & Mann Older Adult Center
Rivera Recreation Center and Mann Older Adult Center celebrated their renovation and reopening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and the unveiling the community-created mural “El Ritmo del Centro".
City leaders, organizers, and officials cut the ribbon during the grand opening of the newly renovated Rivera Recreation Center and Mann Older Adult Center in Fairhill on April 4, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)
In early April, the Rivera Recreation Center and Mann Older Adult Center in Fairhill hosted a ribbon-cutting celebration to mark the completion of their $16 million renovation, funded through the City’s Rebuild initiative.
Event highlights include the ribbon-cutting ceremony, speeches from local leaders, and the unveiling of the community-created mural El Ritmo del Centro.
Otherwise, check out our photos of the event below... 👇
Community members, organizers and city leaders gather to listen to speakers during the ribbon-cutting celebration at the newly renovated Rivera Recreation Center and Mann Older Adult Center in Fairhill on April 4, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Aparna Palantino, director of the Capital Programs Office, speaks during the ribbon-cutting celebration at the newly renovated Rivera Recreation Center and Mann Older Adult Center in Fairhill on April 4, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)The crowd cheers for the Philadelphia Eagles during the ribbon-cutting celebration at the newly renovated Rivera Recreation Center and Mann Older Adult Center in Fairhill on April 4, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)
Community members, organizers and city leaders gather to listen to speakers during the ribbon-cutting celebration at the newly renovated Rivera Recreation Center and Mann Older Adult Center in Fairhill on April 4, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)
Miguel Martinez-Valle, NBC10/Telemundo reporter, introduces Susan Slawson, commissioner of Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, during the ribbon-cutting celebration at the newly renovated Rivera Recreation Center and Mann Older Adult Center in Fairhill on April 4, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)
Kids play in the street, blocked off for the ribbon-cutting celebration, at the newly renovated Rivera Recreation Center and Mann Older Adult Center in Fairhill on April 4, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Guests greet each other with a kiss on the cheek during the ribbon-cutting celebration at the newly renovated Rivera Recreation Center and Mann Older Adult Center in Fairhill on April 4, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Maria N. Gonzalez, president and CEO of HACE CDC, speaks during the ribbon-cutting celebration at the newly renovated Rivera Recreation Center and Mann Older Adult Center in Fairhill on April 4, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Community members step out of their homes to listen to speakers across the street during the ribbon-cutting celebration at the newly renovated Rivera Recreation Center and Mann Older Adult Center in Fairhill on April 4, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Councilmember Quetcy Lozada listens to speakers amongst the crowd during the ribbon-cutting celebration at the newly renovated Rivera Recreation Center and Mann Older Adult Center in Fairhill on April 4, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Marguerite Anglin, Creative Philadelphia Public Art Director, speaks during the ribbon-cutting celebration at the newly renovated Rivera Recreation Center and Mann Older Adult Center in Fairhill on April 4, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Philadelphia veterans gather and listen to speakers during the ribbon-cutting celebration at the newly renovated Rivera Recreation Center and Mann Older Adult Center in Fairhill on April 4, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Philadelphia veterans gather and listen to speakers during the ribbon-cutting celebration at the newly renovated Rivera Recreation Center and Mann Older Adult Center in Fairhill on April 4, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Linda Fernandez, founding member and lead artist at Amber Art, speaks during the ribbon-cutting celebration at the newly renovated Rivera Recreation Center and Mann Older Adult Center in Fairhill on April 4, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)
City leaders, organizers, and officials cut the ribbon during the grand opening of the newly renovated Rivera Recreation Center and Mann Older Adult Center in Fairhill on April 4, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)
(From left) Aparna Palantino, director of the Capital Programs Office, and Maria N. Gonzalez, president and CEO of HACE CDC, after the ribbon-cutting at the newly renovated Rivera Recreation Center and Mann Older Adult Center in Fairhill on April 4, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)The crowd gathers to take a selfie with the Philadelphia Eagles mascot during the ribbon-cutting celebration at the newly renovated Rivera Recreation Center and Mann Older Adult Center in Fairhill on April 4, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Free food is distributed to guests during the ribbon-cutting celebration at the newly renovated Rivera Recreation Center and Mann Older Adult Center in Fairhill on April 4, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Jose Elia Rivera, a Marine Corps veteran and commander of the Latin American Legion Post 840, poses for a portrait after the ribbon-cutting celebration at the newly renovated Rivera Recreation Center and Mann Older Adult Center in Fairhill on April 4, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)
Guests gather around "El Ritmo del Centro" (The Rhythm of the Center), a 5,000-square-foot mural designed by Linda Fernandez, Keir Johnston, and Ernel Martinez of Amber Art and Design, along 5th Street and Allegheny Avenue, after the ribbon-cutting at the newly renovated Rivera Recreation Center and Mann Older Adult Center in Fairhill on April 4, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)
Solmaira Valerio is a North Philly–born photographer and musician whose work draws on their cultural roots to capture the energy, vulnerability, and authenticity of communities while challenging stereotypes and stigma.
Students of all ages closed out their Bomba and Plena classes with a recital in North Philadelphia organized by the Philly Bomba Plena Cultural Center.
