Kensington: Community Center Works to Serve Neighborhood’s Needs
The Community Center at Visitation (CCV) is one of many outreach facilities dedicated to improving the quality of life in Kensington. Led by Sister Betty Scanlon, a Sister of Mercy and director of CCV, the center tries to fill the gaps in services needed by local residents. “We learn so much from the community. This facility is […]
Kensington: Next On Tap At Saint Benjamin Brewery? Full-Service Kitchen
Five years ago, Tim Patton and Christina Burris would have never thought they’d be running their own brewery. Now, they’re not only making Saint Benjamin beer at a re-purposed warehouse in Kensington, they are set to add a tap room and kitchen in May. Using funds from the American Street Empowerment Zone business grant program, their tap […]
Kensington: At Food Workshop, Greensgrow Teaches the Art of Preserving Seasonal Flavors
As cookbook author and full-time teacher, Marisa McClellan has undoubtedly mastered the art of preserving. Currently, McClellan runs her own blog, Food In Jars, and co-hosts the food podcast Local Mouthful. Her three cookbooks focus on preserving, canning and providing healthy alternatives to sweetening. Greens grow Farms, a nonprofit in Kensington focused on making urban farming […]
Fairhill: Puerto Rican School of Music Reflects the Beat of the Community
The Puerto Rican Institute of Music sits on North 5th Street, a road surrounded by Latino influence. Walking by on any afternoon you might even hear the beat of plena – traditional Puerto Rican music – filtering out the upstairs windows. With only a couple of classrooms, the Puerto Rican Institute of Music has about 10 […]
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 […]