‘The public school system does not mold young adults to be out on their own in the real world.’
My name is Sabrina Lacend, and I’m a 28-year-old woman and a working mother. Today, on my journey, I’
Neighborhood Voices
First-person essays, poetry and photo stories by Kensington residents. Community members share their lives in their own words.
‘It takes a village to raise a child, and I never want my children to have the same experiences I’ve had.’
My name is Zaraiah King. I am 27 years old, a mother of two, and a graduate of Mastbaum High
‘I felt proud to associate with Kensington because I focused on its tremendous potential rather than the community issues.’
I am a 1.5 generation Cambodian American queer educator passionate about education equity and social equality. My family members
‘This crisis affects the quality of life we have all worked hard to achieve in a city built on dreams.’
When will the city hear the cries of North Philadelphia and Kensington? In 2018, I wrote an open letter to
‘Our communities don’t keep us from harm, so we need to change them.’
Hello everyone, my name is Sean, and I use they/them pronouns. I’m a 19-year-old, Black, LGBT youth gearing
'It should be organized by the people that were in addiction, as well as people that live in the community.'
Suleiman Hassan & SyfahDeen Hassan Founders of Soldiers for Recovery Suleiman: It’s definitely going to affect the people in
'We can get more done together than we can individually.'
Brenda Mosley Kensington resident, block captain of “The Village,” and NKCDC Community Connector The closure has affected a lot of
'Create a space for all of us to convene ... and help solve some of this'
Jackie Saez Former Kensington resident and Sunday Suppers program manager [It affects] people who I know who live in the
Former resident shares his memories of growing up in Kensington
Bob Horn, a Port Richmond resident, grew up in Kensington during the 60s and 70s and lived there for 25
This Kensington resident is responding to gentrification in her neighborhood through poetry
I started writing poetry 13 years ago when I was in middle school, but it wasn’t until ninth grade
Kensington community member: ‘A mind is a terrible thing to waste, and you are never too old to learn’
My name is Darryl A. Thomas, and I have lived in the Kensington community for almost 14 years. I moved
What to do?: A poem about coping with recovery
Content warning: The poem describes someone who is in recovery and experiences depression. Drew Watson is 35 years old. Raised
'I don't see this as a legal issue, I see it as a humanitarian issue.'
Elise Schiller Author, Advocate for Safehouse Why are you here at the rally today? I’m here because of my
‘Both candidates have two completely different views on things that, to me, are important.’
Rosa Rodriguez Age: 33 Neighborhood: Kensington Volunteer: Full-time mother Why are you voting? This is a very important election for
‘I'm not voting for his personality. He's not a godly person or anything like that, but his policies are why I'm voting.’
Burton Gates Age: 49 Neighborhood: Kensington Occupation: Pastor Why are you voting? Well, I grew up in America. My father
Creating education equity through collaboration
Editor’s note: This essay was written by Jamie Clark, assistant principal of Kensington High School, and Raijene Dreuitt who
“I did not understand the struggles of my peers ... because I did not live within their experiences”
Editor’s note: This personal essay was written by Mikah Stellan Thomas, the Trans Equity Project recruiter at Galaei, a
"When we look back at the decades of hurt, pain, and resentment that has been built up, this was the most likely outcome."
Michael Worthy, Community mental health specialist and outreach worker Editor’s note: The responses have been lightly edited for clarity
Policing in Kensington: ‘We cannot escape that feeling — not even in our schools’
Editor’s note: This opinion piece was written by Rebecca M. Baret, who is a Philadelphia public school student, Kensington
DACA recipients won the battle; it's up to us to win the war
Editor’s note: This opinion piece was written by Norris Square resident Andria Bibiloni, who is a Law and Public
Kensington Library: Why the 2020 Census matters to us
The United States Census is critically significant to any noncommercial organization that provides social services — in the Free Library’s
Esperanza Health Center: Why the 2020 Census matters to us
When you think of human service organizations like Esperanza Health Center, numbers and data are probably not the first words
Providence Center: Why the 2020 Census matters to us
The 2020 Census matters, and you count. North Philadelphia is well known as the Census “red zone” for the lack