A first look at McPherson Square renovation plans, city to continue gathering input
After seeing the redesign plans for McPherson Square Park and Library, residents asked for more shade, and requested the library stay open during construction.
Resources
Norris Square Resource List: Where to find jobs, health, housing support
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.
7 min read
Note: All information below was compiled as part of the Norris Square Neighborhood Profile and expanded upon by the Kensington Voice to include a comprehensive overview of services offered by the featured organizations.
Find Vicky Diaz-Camacho's story about the profile here.
Employment and Financial Support
Ceiba
Services:
- Housing Counseling
- Individual Development Accounts
- Free Tax Preparation Services
- Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
- Financial Literacy
Website: https://www.ceibaphiladelphia.org/
Address: 174 Diamond St., Philadelphia, PA 19122
Phone: (215) 634-7245
ITIN Information Phone: (215) 634-4846
Fax: (215) 634-7265
Email: Ceiba Contact Form (https://www.ceibaphiladelphia.org/contact)
Fab Youth Philly
Services:
- Teen employment training support and employment programming
- Lifeguard training
- Playground captain training
- Red Cross babysitter certificate program
- Little Library steward, a paid after-school job
- Skills workshops
- Mentorship
Website: https://www.fabyouthphilly.com/
Email: info@fabyouthphilly.com
New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC)
Services:
- Community health worker training
- Housing stability assistance
- Home repair aid for those 62 and older
- No-cost small business assistance:
- Bookkeeping and accounting
- Business law and compliance, and zoning law support
- Website development, e-commerce and social media support
- Inventory management, point-of-sale-systems and tech support
- Security, fire safety and insurance guidance
- Comprehensive health programs
- Economic development
Website: https://www.nkcdc.org/
Address: 2771 Ruth St., Suite 1, Philadelphia, PA 19134
Phone: (215) 427-0350
Email: info@nkcdc.org
South Kensington Community Partners
Services:
- Community development and support
Website: https://www.skcpartners.org/
Address: 1301 N. 2nd St., Philadelphia, PA 19122
Phone: (215) 427-3463
Email: info@skcpartners.org
Xiente (Formerly known as “Norris Square Community Alliance”)
Services:
- Economic mobility
- Early childhood education
- Housing
- Neighborhood development
- Career development
- Adult education
Website: https://www.xiente.org/
Address: 174 Diamond Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122
Phone: (215) 426-8723
Email: info@xiente.org
Health & Support Services
Esperanza Health Center
Services:
- Comprehensive health care services:
- Primary care
- Behavioral health, and
- Wellness programs.
Website: https://esperanzahealth.com/
Kensington Site Address: 3156 Kensington Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19134
Phone: (215) 831-1100
City of Philadelphia Food and Meal Finder
Services:
- Information on free food and meal sites throughout Philadelphia.
Website: https://www.phila.gov/food/
Kensington Hospital
Services:
- Medical and healthcare services
Website: https://www.kensingtonhospital.org/
Address: 136 W. Diamond St., Philadelphia, PA 19122
Phone: (215) 426-8100
La Puerta Abierta (LPA)
Services:
- Targeted programming for new arrivals and immigrant youth and families
- Educational support
- Adult and children therapy services
- Summer programs
- Group counseling
- Individual counseling
- Team-building
- Creative arts exercises
- Peer mentorship structured programming
- Women’s groups
Website: https://lpa-theopendoor.org/
Main Office (Kensington): Co-located with Norris Square Neighborhood Project
(Note: Due to COVID-19, LPA is not currently using its previous sites in South Philadelphia and Upper Darby. The main office in Kensington is easily accessible by SEPTA, and LPA continues to provide services and support virtually, as needed and deemed appropriate.)
Address: 2141 N. Howard Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122
Phone: (267) 245-0145
Email: info@lpa-theopendoor.org
Neighborhood & Advocacy Groups New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC)
Services:
- Community health worker training
- Housing services
- Economic development
Website: https://www.nkcdc.org/
Address: 2771 Ruth St., Suite 1, Philadelphia, PA 19134
Phone: (215) 427-0350
Email: info@nkcdc.org
Norris Square Community Action Network (NSCAN)
Services:
- Neighborhood advocacy
- Equitable development
- Affordable housing
- Community improvement in the Norris Square area
Website: https://www.nscanphilly.org/
Address: 2254-60 N 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122-19133
Phone: (215) 634-2227
Email: Contact@NSCANphilly.org
South Kensington Community Partners
Services:
- Community development and support
Website: https://www.skcpartners.org/
Address: 1301 N. 2nd St., Philadelphia, PA 19122
Phone: (215) 427-3463
Email: info@skcpartners.org
Housing Help
Ceiba
Services:
- Housing Counseling
- Individual Development
- Accounts
- Free Tax Preparation Services
- Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
- Financial Literacy
Website: https://www.ceibaphiladelphia.org/
Address: 174 Diamond St., Philadelphia, PA 19122
Phone: (215) 634-7245
ITIN Information Phone: (215) 634-4846
Fax: (215) 634-7265
Email: Ceiba Contact Form (https://www.ceibaphiladelphia.org/contact)
Community Legal Services (CLS)
Services:
- Free civil legal assistance to low-income Philadelphians
Website: https://clsphila.org/
Center City Office Address: 1424 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19102
North Philadelphia Law Center Address: 1410 W. Erie Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19140
Phone (Center City): (215) 981-3700
Phone (North Philadelphia): (215) 227-2400
Longtime Owner Occupants Program (LOOP)
Services:
- Real estate tax relief for longtime homeowners
Website: https://www.phila.gov/programs/longtime-owner-occupants-program-loop/
Phone: (215) 686-6442
Email: revenue@phila.gov
Norris Square Community Action Network (NSCAN)
Services:
- Neighborhood advocacy
- Equitable development
- Affordable housing
- Community improvement in the Norris Square area
Website: https://www.nscanphilly.org/
Address: 2254-60 N 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122-19133
Phone: (215) 634-2227
Email: Contact@NSCANphilly.org
Philadelphia Energy Authority
Service:
- Electricity Home Maintenance
Website: https://www.philaenergy.org/
Phone: (215) 686-4483
Email: info@philaenergy.org
Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation (PHDC)
Services:
- Affordable housing programs
- Rental assistance
- Public housing options
- Housing repair program
Website: https://www.nscanphilly.org/
Address: 1234 Market Street, 17th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: (215) 448-3000
Email: info@phdc.phila.gov
Philadelphia Housing Authority
Services:
- Housing resources
- Public housing
- Housing Choice Voucher Program Assistance
Website: https://www.pha.phila.gov/housing/
Address: 2013 Ridge Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19121
Phone: (215) 684-4000
Rebuilding Together Philadelphia
Services:
- Free home repairs for low-income homeowners
Website: https://www.rebuildingphilly.org/
Address: 4355 Orchard Street, Suite 2R, Philadelphia, PA 19124
Phone: (215) 965-0777
Email: info@rebuildingphilly.org
Youth, Arts & Community Spaces
Friends of Norris Square Park
Services:
- Community engagement
- Park maintenance
Email: friendsofnorrissquare@gmail.com
Galeai LGBTQ+ BIPOC
Services:
- Programming for LGBTQ+ youth, via Student Power Leadership and Activism Together
- Trans Intersex Non Binary And Gender nonconforming (T.I.N.G.S. Program)
- Referrals for Primary Care Physicians and Trans-competent Therapists
- Referrals to Staffing Agencies, GED/college entry programs and Internship-to-paid position opportunities
- Individual coaching
- Group support
- Free HIV testing
- Educational workshops on sexual and physical health for LGBTQ+ Black, Indigenous, and People of Color
- Organizers of Philly Pride
Website: https://www.galaeiqtbipoc.org/
Address: 118 Fontain St., Philadelphia, PA 19122
Phone: (215) 398-5003
Email: info@galaeiqtbipoc.org
HUNE Inc.
Services:
- Support for families of students with learning disabilities and special needs
- Special education training
- Internet 101 training on locating resources online
- Individual assistance for youth with disabilities and families of exceptional children 0-26 years of age
- After-school and summer program for youth 14-21 years of age
- Hispanic Outreach Program workshops
Website: https://huneinc.org/
Address: 2215 N. American Street, Philadelphia, PA 19133
Phone: (215) 425-6203
Email: info@huneinc.org
Norris Square Neighborhood Profile Penn State’s Center for Economic and Community Development 49 Kensington Library
Services:
- Book Drop
- Materials/Holds Pick Up
- Reference Services
- Wi-Fi
Website: https://libwww.freelibrary.org/locations/kensington-library
Address: 104 West Dauphin Street, Philadelphia, PA 19133-3701, Hope & Dauphin Sts.
Phone: (215) 685-9996
Email: PalmerS@freelibrary.org
Kensington Soccer Club
Services:
- Free or "Pay-What-You-Can" soccer program
- Youth and teen soccer teams
- Adult soccer teams
- School and community partnerships
- Travel and recreational soccer
- After-school programs
- Community clinics
Website: https://kensingtonsoccer.org/
Email: contact@kensingtonsoccer.org
Norris Square Neighborhood Project (NSNP)
Services:
- Six gardens, with free programs focused on cultural preservation and land stewardship
- Semillas: youth leadership building program focused on arts, Puerto Rican culture, entrepreneurship, and gardening
- Raíces de Cambio: apprenticeship program that teaches youth gardening, farming, food justice
- Neighborhood gardening membership and engagement program
- Weekly farm stands where community members sell what they harvest
Website: https://www.myneighborhoodproject.org/
Address: 2141 N. Howard Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122
Phone: (215) 634-2227
Email: info@myneighborhoodproject.org
Norris Square Senior Center
Services:
- Art classes
- Trips and excursions
- Exercise and wellness programs
- Social gatherings
- Music
- Dance
- Cooking
- Meals
- Health Education
- Nursing Services
Website: https://chcsphiladelphia.org/senior-centers/
Address: 2121 N. Howard St., Philadelphia, PA 19122
Phone: (215) 423-7241
Open Kitchen Sculpture Garden
Services:
- Community events
- Art installations
Website: https://theopenkitchensculpturegarden.com/
Address: 2241 N. Philip St., Philadelphia, PA 19133
Email: openkitchensculpturegarden@gmail.com
Philly Bridge and Jawn (PBNJ)
Services:
- After-school, paid cooking programs for youth 12-19
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phillybridgeandjawn/?hl=en
Email: phillybridgejawn@gmail.com
Philly Community Wireless
Services:
- Tech literacy training
- Expanding internet access
- Building community autonomy with neighbors
Website: https://phillycommunitywireless.org/
Address: 2141 N Howard Street, adjacent to Norris Square Park.
Email: alex@phillycommunitywireless.org
Have any questions, comments, or concerns about this story? Send an email to editors@kensingtonvoice.com.
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