The final month of the year is underway and the Christmas-themed festivities have begun.
Coming up this week, HACE CDC is hosting a tree lighting ceremony, The Resource Exchange is back with its annual vendor market and more events are underway. Check it out below.
Check out our Facebook and Instagram profiles to find anything that doesn’t make it in the newsletter this week.
Recent News
Philly’s only 2025 gift guide with spiritual consults, PPA evasion and a Kensington Jason Kelce tee
Kensington’s annual holiday gift guide is back. From comic books and candle-making to spiritual consults and custom Kensington merch from Jason Kelce's Underdog Apparel, we’ve rounded up fun, offbeat, and thoughtful hyperlocal gifts that support neighborhood businesses — and maybe even inspire your cousin to get their car papers in order before the PPA strikes.
Do you have a story idea or free activity we should share with our readers? Email editors@kensingtonvoice.com.
Want to write an op-ed? Hit up that same email with your ideas!
Free Activities & Events
Dec. 1
One-on-one job assistance at Lillian Marrero Library (601 W. Lehigh Ave.) from 2 to 4:30 p.m. A Community Workforce Connector will offer folks individualized support with résumé development, career counseling, and more.
Dec. 4
Small business Information session hosted by Finata from 6 to 8 p.m. Visit this link to register for this week’s session and future ones.
Dec. 5
Tree lighting ceremony hosted by HACE CDC at Fairhill Square Park (412 W. Huntingdon St.) from 3 to 5 p.m. There will be tree decorating, hot chocolate and more.
Dec. 6
First-time homebuyer workshop hosted by HACE CDC at Casa Indiana (2635 N. 2nd St.) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Real estate experts will cover topics such as budgeting, mortgages, finding the right home, and more. Visit this link to register and learn more.
reFlea vendor market hosted by The Resource Exchange at 1800 N. American St. from 12 to 5 p.m. There will be vendors selling handmade jewelry, refurbished furniture, household items and more.
Holiday comedy show hosted ZESTY COMEDY at Fireball Printing (2644 Coral St.) from 8 to 10 p.m. The show includes Philadelphia-area comedians like Sean Murphy, Ebony Moore and more. Visit this link to register and learn 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 didactic 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.
