Hunting Park: Kensington Pastor Unifies Church Communities Through Charity And Outreach
In August 2009, Stephen Thompson was ordained as a pastor. Now a senior pastor at House of Triumph, located in Kensington, Thompson helps run community-oriented programs at the church. These programs include food outreach dinners twice a week and group addiction counseling twice a month. The church also holds a free market outreach once a month […]
East Kensington: Neighbors Work To Preserve Letterly Green
Stephanie Koenig, 36, moved to the East Kensington area with her husband, Lewis Colburn, in 2009. The couple, both sculptors who found studio space in Philadelphia, bought a house across the street from Letterly Green, an empty plot of land that spans half a block long, two years later. Along with their next-door neighbors, Onais […]
East Kensington: Community Center Helps Adults Strengthen Literacy Skills
In a small classroom on the second floor of Community Center at Visitation, which refers to itself as “A Beacon of Hope in Kensington,” a group of eager students sit ready for the day’s lesson. These aren’t just regular school students, however. They are adults from the United States and countries beyond set on improving […]
Arts and Entertainment: Five Murals To Put On Your Radar for Fall 2017
Philadelphia is a city where you can find murals and street art in many neighborhoods. From Isaiah Zagar’s Magic Gardens in South Philly to the “wicked” Philly-style graffiti seen around the city, the street art scene is constantly being evolving. Here are five works to keep an eye out for in fall 2017: Curing […]
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 […]
Kensington: “It’s Not Just A Gurney Street Thing.”
Prevention Point Philadelphia has opened a year-round respite at its center in Kensington as a direct response to the City of Philadelphia’s decision to close down and clean up encampments along the Gurney Street Corridor. The organization has been doing winter respite for the past three years, but as of July 31 its doors are […]
Kensington: “I see the impact on a person to person level often, just in individual stories.”
Renee Horst (left) is a staff member with the New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC) and a member of the community engagement team who oversees the Farm to Families Pick Up. That program provides fresh, organic produce and meat from the Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative to members of the Kensington and Fishtown community. Can you […]
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 […]
Kensington: Getting Under The Skin Of Jake DelBene
Myke Chambers carefully selects the tattooers he wants working for him at his shop, Seven Swords Tattoo Company in Kensington. “Getting a tattoo is an experience people will remember for the rest of their lives,” Chambers said. “I feel it’s our job to not only give them a great tattoo, but also a professional and pleasant experience.” […]