Kensington: Philadelphia Photo Arts Center Connects With The Community
Walking down Master Street in Kensington, it’s almost impossible to miss the Crane Arts building. Located in front of the building, two light brown doors lead to the Philadelphia Photo Arts Center, a space that provides the community with tools and exhibits to expand their knowledge of photography. It wasn’t that long ago – six years to […]
Kensington : Public School Teacher Helps More Than Youth
On any given day Steven Reich is looked upon by a classroom full of eight year-olds for guidance in math, reading or writing. At the same time, there are 27,000 adults following Steven on Twitter for guidance on how to get in better shape. The former is because Steven is a third grade teacher at P.H. Sheridan Elementary […]
Kensington: Neighbor Helps Improve Access to Healthy Food Through Co-Op
The Kensington Community Food Co-Op started in 2008 when the community came together to talk about issues in the neighborhood. Residents weren’t satisfied with the healthy food options that were available. Conversations evolved from those initial concerns. Holly Logan is the president of the Kensington Community Food Co-Op. Its mission is to open a member-owned cooperative […]
Olde Kensington: Imam Aims To Build Stronger Ties Within The Community
Mohamed Shehata, an imam at Al-Aqsa Islamic Society, was born and raised in Egypt. An imam at a mosque typically leads prayer and leads the mosque. Shehata came into the Philadelphia community in 2001 after accepting the offer of leading the Al-Aqsa Islamic Society community. Since then, he has worked on building better relationships between Muslims and […]
Kensington/Northern Liberties: Five Coffee Shops Worth Visiting
Gentrification of Northern Liberties and Kensington has shifted these neighborhoods into a new direction. With many diverse people living the area, it has caused a rise in the openings of new cafes. According to a 2015 report on the city’s independent economy published by the Center City District, the number of self-employed people ranges from 30,000 to 35,000. Some come to cafes to […]
Kensington: Organization Unites Community To Save Classrooms And Empower Educators
Over the past few years, the educational funding crisis in Philadelphia has continued to cut jobs and important programs while class sizes have grown, leaving many classrooms with a lack of basic resources and a teacher to student ratio of 16 to 1. Philadelphia school budgets began being cut in 2011, when the Philadelphia School […]
Kensington: Food Focused Organizations Strive For A Healthier Neighborhood
Many neighborhoods in Philadelphia are considered underprivileged “food deserts,” low-income areas that lack regular access to grocery stores and fresh markets. They battle with consequences such as early childhood obesity and an overall decline in health over time. Kensington is among these neighborhoods, with a history that includes a lack of grocery stores and sources […]
Kensington: Buddy Osborn Fights … With Faith
The corner of Kensington Avenue and Somerset Street in Kensington is amongst the most notorious drug corners in the city. Heroin draws addicts and dealers, making it an open playing field for crime and violence, and for many, death. Around this corner is a building, which houses a man with a message that just might save his […]
Kensington: Local Teacher Uses Soccer To Positively Influence His Community’s Youth
Jim Hardy is more than your average high school teacher. He is the leader of the Kensington Soccer Club, a local organization that grew out of the teacher’s passion for the game and for the kids in his Kensington High School classroom. Since laying the groundwork for his vision in 2009, he’s used various programs and […]
Port Richmond: ‘River Wards Cafe’ and Apartments Coming to Richmond Street
When Joe Livewell uncovered the “ghost sign” beneath the plaster, a hand-painted advertisement of a boy holding bread, it solidified the fact that Richmond Street was once a place for foot traffic, a place where ads, like the one for Kolb’s Pan-Dandy Bread, were viewed on a street that held and still holds much of Port […]