News about kids and teens in Kensington, Philadelphia — youth programs, after-school activities, summer camps and the young people shaping the neighborhood's future.
Frenchy Williams, who joined the organization as a student years ago, is now leading “Seguimos Aquí,” a youth storytelling trip developed with Taller Puertorriqueño.
Community Life
Since 2015, the nonprofit has employed 175 women, its founder says, pairing work experience with mentorship and faith-based support.
Community Life
The Kensington Tigers, representing four Kensington area high schools, opened the season with 13 straight wins while building a new team culture and boosting school morale.
Public Space
The walking tour introduced preteens to the history in their own neighborhood — from abolition-era organizing to the messages still painted on today’s walls.
Kids in Kensington
Over 25% of West Kensington residents don’t have a high school diploma. Embedded advisers and support could help students overcome poverty and other systemic barriers, experts say.
Friends of the Children offers families a commitment that the program will be there in a child’s life from kindergarten through high school graduation — “12+ no matter what,” they say.
Solutions Spotlight
A key violence prevention program disappeared from schools across Philly this fall, including in Kensington—just when students needed it most.
Kids in Kensington
Fab Youth Philly’s Play Captains program empowers Kensington teens by paying them to lead educational play for younger children and helping them build job skills for the future, despite challenges like neighborhood safety.
Guides & Resources
A free series includes weekly workshops running through December 13th, covering a range of housing topics–from local organizing to statewide housing policy–focused on creating “affordable and accessible” housing. All workshops are held at the Kensington Engagement Center.
Kids in Kensington
Klean Kensington is one of eight organizations citywide selected for the Department of Planning and Development’s “Philadelphia 2050: Planning Together” initiative.
Small Business
At Martin's Deli, staff maintains the community feel established by family owners who came before.
Small Business
Vizion Gallery on Kensington Avenue offers artists a place to practice, vend and find community.
Small Business
Born and raised in Kensington, Austin Wright launched Ava’s Farm — a local produce market and nonprofit that offers free meals and youth programs to residents.
Immigration
Maternity leave must be a public policy priority. While current law is insufficient, it’s even more inaccessible for women in vulnerable communities.
Accountability
After seeing the redesign plans for McPherson Square Park and Library, residents asked for more shade, and requested the library stay open during construction.
Kids in Kensington
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.
Immigration
PB&J’s Wednesday Leadership program incentivizes teens to build communication skills while cooking together.
Kids in Kensington
The Building a Brighter Future through the Art of Construction program draws young people from across the city.
Kids in Kensington
Los Bomberos de la Calle’s new center in North Philly serves as a cultural hub, where bomba and plena rhythms unite the community and teach the next generation.
Housing & Shelter
For more than 80 years, health experts, scholars, and community advocates have emphasized the dire need for better access to physicians and health centers for Puerto Rican Philadelphians.
Arts & Culture
Through non-profit organizations Rock to the Future and As I Plant This Seed, youth build production skills and community.
Accountability
Community leaders and residents believe funding environmental conditions that will improve the lives of families and children is a step toward repairing the harms the open-air drug market has caused the neighborhood.
Clean Streets
The new Pennsylvania Adult and Teen Challenge (PAATC) center is open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with plans to eventually offer nighttime hours.
Kids in Kensington
Engaging with people who deal drugs is key to breaking up Kensington’s open-air drug market, but city leaders have overlooked this population while creating new law enforcement strategies for the neighborhood, says Ride Free.
