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Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker’s administration plans to allocate more to Riverview than to all other opioid settlement money initiatives combined.
The Peacemakers celebrate their championship win at a game organized by NKCDC’s Cure Violence team and Esperanza Health Center at The CORE on March 31, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)
On March 31, community members gathered at Esperanza’s CORE Fitness Center for the final tournament game and postseason celebration of the Free Kensington Community Winter Basketball League.
After weeks of playoffs, the two remaining teams — Peacemakers and Cure Temple — faced off for the championship title. The Peacemakers took home the win, earning the league’s first championship trophy. The event also featured food, music, and a celebration honoring the players' hard work and growth on and off the court.
The league, organized by NKCDC’s Cure Violence team and Esperanza Health Center, is part of a larger effort to prevent violence and create safe spaces for young men in Kensington through mentorship, connection, and sport.
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Check out our photos from the championship game below!
Guests watch the championship game between Peacemakers and Cure Temple, organized by NKCDC's Cure Violence and Esperanza Health Center, at The CORE on March 31, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)The Peacemakers and Cure Temple compete for the championship, organized by NKCDC's Cure Violence and Esperanza Health Center, at The CORE on March 31, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Players shake hands with referee Ron McClain after competing in the championship game, organized by NKCDC's Cure Violence and Esperanza Health Center, at The CORE on March 31, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)NKCDC's Cure Violence and Esperanza Health Center host the championship game for their Free Kensington Community Winter Basketball League at The CORE on March 31, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)The Peacemakers and Cure Temple shake hands after competing in the championship game, organized by NKCDC's Cure Violence and Esperanza Health Center, at The CORE on March 31, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)The Peacemakers celebrate winning the championship game and trophy, organized by NKCDC's Cure Violence and Esperanza Health Center, at The CORE on March 31, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Teammates read a printed Kensington Voice story about the Free Kensington Community Winter Basketball League after the championship game, organized by NKCDC’s Cure Violence team and Esperanza Health Center, at Esperanza’s CORE Fitness Center on March 31, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)(From left) David Matos, a Kensington resident, and Luis Ramos-Soto, coach of the Peacemakers and bilingual assistant program manager of public safety, pose for a photo after the championship game organized by NKCDC’s Cure Violence team and Esperanza Health Center at Esperanza’s CORE Fitness Center on March 31, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Food is served in celebration of the championship game, organized by NKCDC's Cure Violence and Esperanza Health Center, at The CORE on March 31, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)The Peacemakers celebrate winning the championship game and trophy, organized by NKCDC's Cure Violence and Esperanza Health Center, at The CORE on March 31, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Tyreek Counts, a Cure Violence outreach worker and co-founder of the basketball league, gives a speech after the championship game, organized by NKCDC's Cure Violence and Esperanza Health Center, at The CORE on March 31, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Food is served in celebration of the championship game, organized by NKCDC's Cure Violence and Esperanza Health Center, at The CORE on March 31, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)The Peacemakers celebrate winning the championship game and trophy, organized by NKCDC's Cure Violence and Esperanza Health Center, at The CORE on March 31, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)The Peacemakers celebrate winning the championship game and trophy, organized by NKCDC's Cure Violence and Esperanza Health Center, at The CORE on March 31, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Basketball players from the Cure Temple team listen as Tyreek Counts, a Cure Violence outreach worker and co-founder of the basketball league, gives a speech after the championship game, organized by NKCDC's Cure Violence and Esperanza Health Center, at The CORE on March 31, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Cake is served in celebration of the championship game, organized by NKCDC's Cure Violence and Esperanza Health Center, at The CORE on March 31, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)The Peacemakers celebrate winning the championship game and trophy, organized by NKCDC's Cure Violence and Esperanza Health Center, at The CORE on March 31, 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.
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