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.
A year in photographs from the neighborhood, made close and over time.
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.
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.
We're back from winter break and ready to go. Here's what you need to know this week.
Before we dive in, three things:
The Year in Photos — Nearly 100 photographs from a year in Kensington. Photography by Solmaira Valerio, Kriston Jae Bethel, Vicky Díaz-Camacho, Emily Rizzo, and Albert Yee. Reporting by Emily Rizzo, Khysir Carter, Sammy Caiola, Vicky Díaz-Camacho, and Nigel Thompson.
Our community survey is extended through Jan. 12 — What do you need from local news? What's missing? Take 5 minutes, share your thoughts, and enter to win a $200 gift card.
Power January update: You got us to 33% of our goal — We're extending our fundraiser through the end of the month. Your support keeps 2.5 journalists reporting on housing, health, safety, and the stories that don't get told anywhere else.
Check out our Facebook and Instagram for anything that doesn't make it into the newsletter.
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.
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.
Are you hiring locally? Send job listings to khy@kensingtonvoice.com.
City of Philadelphia — Multiple positions. View listings.
Division of Substance Use and Harm Reduction — View listings.
Esperanza Health Center — 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.
PennDOT — Engineers, equipment operators, inspectors, mechanics. Apply here.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 visit esperanzahealth.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. 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. 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.
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.
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