This week: Nearly 100 photos from 2025, our community survey extended through Jan. 12 (with a chance to win $200), and the Power January fundraiser at 33% of goal. Plus free yoga, chess club, Zumba, and more events.
Preschool storytime at Kensington Library (104 W. Dauphin St.) at 11 a.m. There will be stories, songs and more.
English conversation group at Richmond Library (2987 Almond St.) at 5:45 p.m. Attendees can practice speaking English while meeting other adults in a casual learning environment. No registration is required.
Thurs., Jan. 22
Paper craft club at Lillian Marrero Library (601 W. Lehigh Ave.) at 3:30 p.m. Attendees will explore different paper-based crafts, like collages, origami and more. All supplies are provided.
Lost Time comedy show hosted by Lost Time Brewing Co. at 2145 N. Front St. from 6 to 10 p.m. This event is for adults ages 21 and up. Visit this link to register and learn more.
Sun., Jan. 25
Writing group hosted by H&H Books at Valerio Coffee (2331 Frankford Ave.) at 2 p.m. This group is open to writers of all types and experience levels. Visit this link to register and learn more.
Monthly Community Meetings
East Kensington Neighbors Association — Third Monday at 7 p.m. at Philadelphia Brewing Company (2440 Frankford Ave.). Email info@ekna.org.
Harrowgate Civic Association — First Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Heitzman Recreation Center (3631 Amber St.). Email harrowgatecivicassociation@gmail.com.
Kensington Independent Civic Association (KICA) — Third Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Harrowgate PAL Center (851 E. Tioga St.).
Port Richmond Neighborhood Action (PRNA) — Third Thursday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Block Church (2537 E. Monmouth St.). Email portrichmondna@gmail.com. No meetings in January, November, or December.
Somerset Neighbors For Better Living — First Monday at 6:30 p.m. (or following Monday if holiday) via Zoom. Email phillysnbl@gmail.com.
South Port Richmond Civic Association — Second Wednesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Veteran Boxers Association Ring (2733 E. Clearfield St.).More info.
Free Trainings
Esperanza Health Center Nurse Practitioner Residency Program — Full-time, 15-month salaried position with training in primary care, HIV care, and OB-GYN. Weekly sessions and mentorship. Deadline: Jan. 31.Apply here.
JEVS Project WOW — Free certified production training for young adults ages 18 to 24 without a high school diploma. Includes OSHA 10, a Production Technician Certificate, and a diploma through Penn Foster.Register here.
Mental Health First Aid Training — Free virtual certification training from DBHIDS, offered weekly.Register here.
Jobs
Are you hiring locally? Send job listings to khy@kensingtonvoice.com.
Green Building United — Program manager. Apply here.
City of Philadelphia — Multiple positions.View listings.
Division of Substance Use and Harm Reduction — View listings.
Every Good Gift — Part-time work for single mothers. Bring your baby (younger than 2) to work. Sewing and assembling gift products; training provided. Call 215-429-3750.
NKCDC — Housing Advisor, Part-Time Kensington Planning Connector, and more. View listings.
PGW — Call Center Representative, Field Service Technician, and more. Apply here.
SEPTA — Skilled trades including Plumber and Millwright. Apply here.
Waste Management — Multiple positions, average $26/hour. Apply here.
Weekly Events
Mondays — Heitzman Recreation Center hosts a free chess club for children 8 and older from 6 to 7 p.m. No registration or experience needed. Contact heitzmanreccenter@phila.gov.
Mondays and Fridays — Mothers Helping Mothers Women of Power Group meets at The CORE at Esperanza Health Center (3222 H St.) from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. A healing space for women affected by gun violence and overdose, supported by Mural Arts and NKCDC. Email Brenda Mosley at byfaithenternal@gmail.com.
Mondays through Fridays — Norris Square Senior Center offers free daily activities for adults 60 and older from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Art, exercise, games, socializing. Breakfast is $1.25; lunch is $1.
Tuesdays — Impact Services is hosting winter arts & crafts programming every Tuesday from now until March 17 at McPherson Square Library (601 E. Indiana Ave.) from 3 to 5 p.m. Light refreshments and art supplies are provided.
Wednesdays — Esperanza Health Center and Rock to the Future is hosting free percussion classes every Wednesday from Jan. 21 to Feb. 11 at 4417 N. 6th St. from 4 to 5 p.m. Visit this link to register and learn more.
Funding Opportunities
Business Security Camera Program — Apply for the city's security camera program here. Additional upgrades available through the Storefront Improvement Program.
Nonprofit Security Grant Program — Security enhancements for nonprofits through the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. Apply here.
Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program — For older adults and people with disabilities 18 and older. Rebates from $380 to $1,000.Apply here.
Philadelphia Water Department Grants — Up to $10,000 for unpaid water bills through the PA Homeowner Assistance Fund. Apply here.
Services
City of Philadelphia Free Food Sites — Free food for households, students, and older adults. No ID or income proof needed. Find a site.
Esperanza Health Center — Free pregnancy tests at Kensington and Hunting Park locations, plus help finding insurance for prenatal care. Call 215-302-3600 or visitesperanzahealth.com.
Filter Philly — Free air purifiers, masks, and COVID tests for local events and organizations. Contact filterphilly@proton.me.
Fresh Choice Food Pantry — Open Mondays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Community Center at Visitation(2646 Kensington Ave.). Coffee, snacks, vital checks, HIV and hepatitis C testing.
LIHEAP — Up to $1,000 for heating bills for income-eligible families.Apply online or by mail.
NKCDC Record Clearing Clinic — Tuesdays from 1:30 to 5 p.m. at the Kensington Empowerment Hub (2771 Ruth St., Suite 1). Meet with lawyers from Lawyers for Social Equity for free case review.
Temple University Youth Employment Project (YEP) — For out-of-school young adults ages 16 to 24. GED support and transition to employment or higher education. Must be a Philly resident with basic computer skills. Fill out the interest form.
News Tips
Have a story idea or free activity we should share? Email editors@kensingtonvoice.com.
Want to share your opinion or lived experience? Same email—send us your ideas.
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.
This week: Nearly 100 photos from 2025, our community survey extended through Jan. 12 (with a chance to win $200), and the Power January fundraiser at 33% of goal. Plus free yoga, chess club, Zumba, and more events.
