Saleem Gilliard, a Safe Path supervisor and monitor at Tanner Duckrey School in North Philadelphia, stands at the light with a parent, students, and a crossing guard as they help kids cross during dismissal on Nov. 20, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)
Temperatures are chilly this week, but there’s a lot of hot cocoa to go around and indoor events to attend.
Coming up this week, three college-centered organizations are hosting a free virtual FAFSA workshop, two annual winter festivals are back this week and more events are underway. Check it out below.
Check out our Facebook and Instagram profiles to find more news and events happening throughout the week.
Recent News
Philly’s school safety program to shield kids from violence was working. So where did it go?
Prior to the start of this school year, Mastbaum High School was one of 24 campuses that had the Safe Path program. Safe Path aims to both quell schoolyard fights and protect children from shootings by hiring attentive adults from the community, known as “monitors.” These adults — recognizable by their blue vests — patrol campus perimeters and stand watch on school property, regularly greeting students and sometimes walking them home or to a transit stop.
But this fall, the school district ended a partnership with the largest provider of Safe Path services. The district hired new contractors, but those organizations haven’t gotten underway at the majority of schools that used to have the program. And a few other schools didn’t see Safe Path return — or saw it return late — due to dwindling funds and holdups with training and recruitment.
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Free Activities & Events
Dec. 9
Know Your Rights workshop hosted by State Representative Joe Hohenstein at Richmond Library (2987 Almond St.) at 5:30 p.m. Legal experts will inform attendees on topics such as tenants’ rights in accessible housing, legal options for discrimination and more.
Dec. 11
Christmas ornament workshop hosted by Impact Services at Heitzman Recreation Center (3631 Amber St.) from 3 to 5 p.m. Ornament supplies and hot cocoa are provided.
Free virtual FAFSA workshop hosted by PhillyGoes2College.org, Campus Philly and Heights Philadelphia at 6 p.m. Attendees will receive a live walkthrough for applying for Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), tips to avoid common mistakes and more. Attendees also have a chance to win a free laptop. Visit this link to register and learn more.
Dec. 12
Christmas ornament workshop hosted by Impact Services at Harrowgate Park (3455 Kensington Ave.) from 4 to 6 p.m. Ornament supplies and hot cocoa are provided
Christmas tree lighting event hosted by Friends of Harrowgate Park, Impact Services and Mural Arts Philadelphia at Harrowgate Park(3455 Kensington Ave.) at 6 p.m. There will be tree decorating, light refreshments and more.
Dec. 13
Winter festival hosted by Safe-Hub Philadelphia at Maken Studios (3525 I St.) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be free resources, giveaways and more.
Harrowgate Winter Festival hosted by Harrowgate Civic Association at Harrowgate Park (3455 Kensington Ave.) from 12 to 3 p.m. There will be photos with Santa, giveaways and more.
Dec. 14
Photos with Santa event hosted by Impact Services at 3033 Kensington Ave. from 12 to 3 p.m. There will be free photos with Santa, giveaways and more.
Weekly Events
Mondays and Fridays
Mothers Helping Mothers Women of Power Group supported by Mural Arts and NKCDCmeets at the CORE at Esperanza Health Center (3222 H Street)) 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
5th-7th grader Winter open-play hosted by Safe-Hub Philadelphia in its indoor soccer field, located at 1020 E. Venango St. from 5 to 6:30 p.m. This open play is for students in grades 5th through 7th and occurs every Tuesday from now until December 16. Visit this link to register and learn more.
Free yoga class hosted by Yoga 4 Philly at The CORE Fitness Center (3222 H. St.) from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. No registration is required.
Wednesdays
8th-12th grader Winter open-play hosted by Safe-Hub Philadelphia in its indoor soccer field, located at 1020 E. Venango St. from 4:30 to 6 p.m. This open play is for students in grades 8th through 12th and occurs every Wednesday from now until December 17. Visit this link to register 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.
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
Applications are open for Esperanza Health Center’s Nurse Practitioner Residency Program. The program offers a full-time, 15-month, salaried position, training in primary care and specialty health care (HIV care and OB-GYN), weekly sessions and mentorship. The application deadline is January 31. Visit this link to apply and learn more.
Jobs
Educators for Education is hiring Safe Path Monitors for schools across the city. The job offers paid training, holidays and weekends off, and requires applicants to be 21 years or older. Visit this link to apply and learn more.
Every Good Gift, a faith-based organization, has part-time jobs available for single mothers. Single moms with a child under age 2 may bring their baby to work with them. Paid positions involve sewing and assembling gift products, and training is provided on the job along with computer skills and a job preparedness curriculum. For more information call 215-429-3750
Services
City of Philadelphia has a list of free food sites across the city. The list includes sites that provide free food for households, students and older adults. No ID or proof of income is needed at the food sites. Visit this link to find a food site near you and learn more.
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.
