Kensington: Pastor Joshua Grace’s Impact Goes Beyond Church Walls
Joshua Grace has served as pastor at Circle of Hope Church since 2003. Grace leads efforts to unite his community through its thrift store, Circle Thrift, and events hosted by the church. He works with community organizations to mobilize resources and bring people together in a God-centered environment. Circle of Hope is associated with the […]
Kensington: First Time Home Buyer Workshop Proves Valuable Resource For Locals
For many, owning a first home is a big part of the American Dream. In Philadelphia, that dream is less of a reality than other cities in the country. According to public data sources gathered by Data USA, only 52.6 percent of homes in Philadelphia were occupied by their owner in 2015, more than 10 percent […]
Social Issues: Councilwoman María Quiñones-Sánchez Talks Income Inequality
María Quiñones-Sánchez took office 10 years ago representing District 7 in Philadelphia City Council. Long considered a party outsider, it is not uncommon to find her battling politically with Latino leaders in her own neighborhood, as well as other council members. Her sprawling council district is comprised of a wide area, covering all or parts […]
Arts & Entertainment: Rock To The Future Providing More Than Music Education to Philly Youth
When Rock to the Future was started seven years ago, it had one clear goal in mind. The Kensington-based non-profit wanted to provide Philly youth an opportunity to learn instruments with after-school programs and summer camps, but the work has gone further than teaching children ins and outs of rock ‘n’ roll. “We saw the need in […]
Harrowgate: Outsiders Pitch In When Locals Don’t
Longtime community members fight for their neighborhood one block at a time in Harrowgate. Repelling drug dealers, moving addicts along and fighting opportunistic slumlords starts less with city-wide policy and more with in-person communication and leading by example. Local civic association leaders like Shannon Farrell and Jim Ridgway do it neighborhood-wide. But it’s the block captains […]
Kensington: Local Gardens Cultivate Community, Help Revitalize Neighborhoods
It was in the 1970s when drug use and the violent state of the neighborhood spurred a unique change among a small group of Puerto Rican women in West Kensington. These women, called the Grupo Motivos, worked with an elementary school teacher and a professor to reclaim land and create a place for growth and […]
West Kensington: Peace Corps Alumnus Continues Work With Latino Community
Entering the Norris Square Neighborhood Project (NSNP) is an experience in itself. With bright colors, the side-by-side row homes create a place that becomes a safe haven for youth in Kensington. Through numerous after-school programs, garden projects and summer work opportunities, the NSNP works to support and bring together the Latino youth community. Justin Trezza, the […]
Kensington: Five Places Helping to Create an Art Community
Slowly but surely, the art community in Old Kensington is pushing forward. It’s hidden among the abandoned factories and vacant lots of the area, but the artists aren’t complaining. “There are five studios within blocks of here, but you would never know,” said Charles Cerrone, a photographer working out of Sharktown Studios on Mascher Street, near […]
West Kensington: St. Boniface Redevelopment Embraces Neighborhood Needs
West Kensington’s beloved St. Boniface Catholic Church stood for nearly 150 years on Hancock and Diamond streets, hosting a plethora of weddings, funerals, graduations and bilingual sermons to generations of families in the Norris Square community. The Norris Square Civic Association, now Norris Square Community Alliance, purchased the St. Boniface complex in 2007 for a $10 […]
Kensington: Ministry Keeps Musical Dreams Alive
Saturday afternoons inside The West Kensington Ministry are filled with the voices of excited young kids and the melodies floating off of the instruments they are so diligently learning to play. The West Kensington Ministry music program began within the last year and was put together by Caroline LaRochelle with the help of the ministry’s […]