2026
Philly violence prevention groups say they were flourishing. Then the Trump DOJ cut their funding.
The Philadelphia Inquirer, January 8, 2026
2025
Survey says Philly residents are among the least satisfied with where they live
The Philadelphia Inquirer, December 27, 2025
Thunderbird LLC embraces community through second-hand items and events
Kensington Voice, November 12, 2025
After a fire, new hope for a garden in Kensington
Billy Penn, November 6, 2025
Housing Workshops aim to empower Kensington owners and renters
Kensington Voice, October 27, 2025
Kensington native uses Waxery to uplift her neighborhood one candle at a time
Kensington Voice, October 22, 2025
On Kensington Avenue, The Medicine Shoppe offers more than quick pick-ups
Kensington Voice, October 15, 2025
Cuts to SNAP and SNAP-Ed: A war on Kensington families
Kensington Voice, October 15, 2025
Neighborhood staple Martin’s Deli serves up sandwiches and a little support
Kensington Voice, October 1st, 2025
From cheesesteak dumplings to Thai chili bowls, Lee’s Dumplings and Stuff puts a twist on tradition
Kensington Voice, September 24, 2025
Cuts to SNAP and SNAP-Ed: A war on Kensington families
Generocity, September 17, 2025
‘Not bold enough’: Kensington muralist uses Vizion Art Gallery as home base for building community, reducing stigma
Kensington Voice, September 17, 2025
Lua Vietnamese opens on Kensington Ave., introducing old traditions in a brand new space
Kensington Voice, September 10th, 2025
Aging homes are crumbling across the U.S. Should government pay to fix them?
Washington Post, September 6th, 2025
In Kensington, Botanica San Expedito offers candles, counsel and compassion
Kensington Voice, September 3rd, 2025
Kensington native blends business models to bring fresh food to neighbors at Ava’s Farm
Kensington Voice, August 27, 2025
Kensington Voice launches new small business storytelling project in collaboration with NKCDC
Kensington Voice, August 27, 2025
2024
Year One of the Kensington crackdown tackled chaos head-on — and pushed it down the street
The Philadelphia Inquirer, December 22, 2024
Philadelphia challenges state opioid trust’s decision on Kensington home repair, small business spending in court
Kensington Voice, November 18, 2024
Philadelphia criticized for how it’s spending millions from opioid lawsuits
NPR, November 18, 2024
Mayor Cherelle Parker’s Search for a United Philadelphia
Governing, October 24, 2024
Kensington leaders argue for neighborhood repair and safe spaces as prevention ahead of opioid settlement appeal Kensington Voice, October 2, 2024
When a state panel rejected $7.5M in opioid settlement spending, it showed how little it understands Kensington’s challenges
The Philadelphia Inquirer, October 1, 2024
Mass arrests in Kensington, but open-air drug market persists
Billy Penn, September 9, 2024
Parker administration arrests at least 34 people in Kensington sweep, prison system “prepared”
Kensington Voice, September 5, 2024
Public voices often ignored in states’ opioid settlement money decisions
Spotlight PA, August 27, 2024
How speculators fueled a nightmare for Kensington residents — and could soon cash in
The Philadelphia Inquirer, August 12, 2024
A Guide to Co-Creating Kensington’s Future.
The Philadelphia Citizen, August 6, 2024
Kensington Beach’s Instagram account owner spoke at the RNC. Some community members say his posts exploit the community. The Philadelphia Inquirer, July 17, 2024
Kensington could see surprise quality-of-life cleanups every month — with zero notice, ID checks, and towed cars
The Philadelphia Inquirer, July 15, 2024
Police close Kensington’s Somerset section for city’s unannounced “quality of life” effort, causing distress for some residents
The Kensington Voice, July 12, 2024
Gun violence was more heavily concentrated in Kensington than almost anywhere else in the U.S. during the pandemic, NYT finds
The Philadelphia Inquirer, May 15, 2024
Kensington Encampment Clearings: Dr. Bill McKinney discusses on WURD Radio’s Reality Check with Tonya Pendleton
WURD Radio, May 14, 2024
A crackdown on Kensington’s open-air drug market is coming, but will it work?
Billy Penn, May 7, 2024
Can Philadelphia Fix One of the Most Drug-Plagued Neighborhoods in the Country?
The New York Times, May 7, 2024
NKCDC and Bennett Compost are collaborating to address food waste in Kensington (video)
WURD Radio, May 3, 2024
‘Kind of a heartbreaker’: Kensington gun violence prevention group takes funding hit following federal cuts
Kensington Voice, May 5, 2025
Philly Violence Prevention Workers Devastated by Funding Cuts
The Trace, May 1, 2025
Free basketball league in Kensington offers alternative to violence Billy Penn, April 24, 2025
‘Basketball is the medium’: Kensington nonprofits launch free league to prevent violence among young men
The Philadelphia Citizen, March 26, 2025
Weathering the Storm of the Trump Administration
Philadelphia Citizen, January 31, 2025
NKCDC opens new community engagement center on Kensington Avenue
Kensington Voice, January 28, 2025
Abren centro comunitario para que afloren ideas para mejorar Kensington (video)
Telemundo 62 Philadelphia, January 15, 2025
Philadelphia leaders celebrate opening of new community engagement center in Kensington (video)
CBS Philadelphia, January 15, 2025
Kensington leaders celebrate grand opening of new community engagement center (video)
NBC10 Philadelphia, January 15, 2025
‘It’s exciting’: Celebrating transformation of Kensington Community Engagement Center (video)
NBC10 Philadelphia, January 15, 2025
Kensington leaders celebrate grand opening of new community engagement center (video)
NBC10 Philadelphia, January 15, 2025
New community center in Kensington aims to bring much-needed resources (video)
6abc Philadelphia, January 14, 2025
Why I Won’t Celebrate MLK on January 20
The Philadelphia Citizen, January 13, 2025
43 years after the movie ‘Fighting Back,’ a real-life and an imagined sequel
The Philadelphia Inquirer, January 12, 2025
Philly’s plan to ‘fix’ Kensington won’t work. Here’s what will.
The Philadelphia Inquirer, April 25, 2024
Philadelphia-based nonprofit offers Kensington teens safe space to learn life skills (video)
6ABC Action News Philadelphia, April 10, 2024
How Kensington Avenue’s open-air drug market went international – and the city’s fight to take back the neighborhood
Philadelphia Inquirer, March 25, 2024
Kensington reacts to new business curfew: “Everybody has to eat,”
Kensington Voice, March 22, 2024
Garden center could return at Greensgrow in Kensington
Billy Penn, March 5, 2024
Kensington news: $3.5 million in housing assistance, environmental remediation training, KCR grants, and prom donations
Kensington Voice, February 26, 2024
Mayor Cherelle Parker’s Kensington crackdown leaves residents with concerns
The Philadelphia Inquirer, February 25, 2024
New grants available for Kensington residents: ‘Reach out, see if they can help you’
Philly Tribune, February 22, 2024
Develan plan de inversión para mejoras en Kensington (video)
Telemundo 62, February 21, 2024
Authorities Announce Kensington Clean-Up Projects (video)
Univision 65 Philadelphia WUVP, February 21, 2024
Philly offers Kensington residents funds for home repairs and eviction prevention
Philly Voice, February 21, 2024
Philly offers Kensington residents funds for home repairs and eviction prevention
Philly Voice, February 21, 2024
Opioid settlement money to be used for housing assistance in Kensington
Metro Philadelphia, February 21, 2024
Kensington’s $7.5 million opioid settlement to help improve quality of life
Fox 29 Philadelphia, February 21, 2024
Kensington leaders to use opioid settlement funds for housing
WHYY, February 21, 2024
Organizers detail plan to use $7.5M in opioid settlement funding to improve Kensington (video)
NBC 10 Philadelphia, February 21, 2024
Philly Historically Disadvantaged Business Assistance Grant open
WHYY, February 21, 2024
Millions of opioid settlement money will help struggling Kensington residents (video)
CBS News Philadelphia, February 21, 2024
Kensington Safety Crisis Worries Community (video)
Univision 65 Philadelphia WUVP, February 21, 2024
2023
Change in Kensington requires a change in mindset. We’re proof it’s possible.
The Philadelphia Inquirer, December 15th, 2023
Boom to bust to blight to bloom: The long and often troubled life of a Fishtown lot
The Philadelphia Inquirer, December 9th, 2023
NKCDC has the green space, so it’s turning to community to propose crowd-pleasing activities.
The Philadelphia Inquirer, November 18, 2023
The last chance for safe injection sites?
The Philadelphia Citizen, September 13, 2023
Reviving Greensgrow: A Year After Collapse, a New Vision for Urban Agriculture
Green Philly, September 12, 2023
Over 1,600 new apartments planned for long-neglected industrial embankment in Kensington
Philadelphia Inquirer, August 29, 2023
Kensington businesses say it’s increasingly hard to get vendors to come out and provide services
Philadelphia Inquirer, August 18, 2023
Community stakeholders most impact by the opioid crisis decided which local groups would receive grants to reduce harm
Philadelphia Inquirer, June 10, 2023
Meet Ivette Velez: One of Many Friendly Neighborhood Energy Center Energy Experts
PGWorks Blog, May 2, 2023
User Spotlight: Barbara Small
Health Federation of Philadelphia, May 2, 2023
Philly’s next mayor could try to end Kensington’s open-air drug market. How that could unfold is uncertain
WHYY, April 24, 2023
It’s Not Just about the Buildings: How Community Development Organizations Are Promoting Residents’ Mental Health
Build Healthy Places, April 9, 2023
The third wave
Weekendavisen, March 18, 2023
Philadelphia deploys teams to help people struggling with opioid and ‘tranq’ addictions (video)
NBC Stay Tuned NOW with Gadi Schwartz, March 14, 2023
Four values form a base for equitable development, in Kensington and beyond
AIA Context, Spring 2023
Mayoral hopefuls have started talking about how to ‘fix’ Kensington. Community leaders have heard it all before.
Philadelphia Inquirer, February 12, 2023
Announcement of how opioid settlement money will be spent in Kensington elicits mixed responses from community members
Philadelphia Inquirer, January 7, 2023
Philadelphia investing $7.5 million in opioid settlement money directly to Kensington (video)
Fox 29 Philadelphia, January 6, 2023
Philly plans to fight opioid epidemic with settlement funds (video)
CBS 3 Philadelphia, January 5, 2023
Mobile methadone clinics are among the initiatives Philly will fund with opioid settlement funds
Philadelphia Inquirer, January 5, 2023
City of Philadelphia announces plan to invest $200 million in opioid settlement funds
Philadelphia Tribune, January 5, 2023
1st year of Philly’s opioid settlement funds to be spent on overdose prevention, wrap-around services in hard-hit areas
WHYY, January 5, 2023
2022
PGW is offering customers increased access and services at Philadelphia Neighborhood Energy Centers
Al Día, December 8, 2022
100 bullets fired Friday. 9 people shot Saturday. That’s two days in Kensington.
Philadelphia Inquirer, November 18, 2022
From horse buggies to modern cars: 100 years with Morris Auto Parts
Kensington Voice, November 17, 2022
After weekend shootings, Kensington community members are feeling afraid and fed up
Philadelphia Inquirer, November 7, 2022
Trauma-Informed Community Engagement Toolkit helps residents build resilience
Kresge Foundation, October 13, 2022
Justice Department Awards $100 Million to Reduce Community Violence
U.S. Department of Justice, September 29, 2022
Philadelphia Brewing Co.’s hop garden gets destroyed because the city thought it was weeds
Philadelphia Inquirer, September 14, 2022
Kensington development team seeks middle ground between gentrification and stagnation
PlanPhilly, August 17, 2022
These Kensington organizations offer safe spaces for the neighborhood’s children
Philadelphia Inquirer, August 7, 2022
‘Children still live there’: The fight for safe summer play in Kensington
WHYY, July 28, 2022
Kensington kids are loving the new summer programming in McPherson Square
Billy Penn, July 22, 2022
Mary Campbell, The Housing Oprah: Everybody Gets A House (audio)
Iron Sharpens Iron, July 21, 2022
Cantina La Martina delivers the most thrilling Mexican flavors in Philly
Philadelphia Inquirer, July 16, 2022
Mural City Cellars opens community-focused wine garden in Kensington
Philly Voice, June 30, 2022
Five benchmarks for measuring representation and equity in local news coverage
Lenfest Local Lab, June 21, 2022
Two perspectives on developing benchmarks for representation in local news coverage by using an automated local news mapping tool
Lenfest Local Lab, June 21, 2022
Health Equity: What’s in a WURD—Broadcast 5: Community Planning (video at 1:33:00)
WURD Radio, June 7, 2022
Housing: Even With Empty Lots and Homes, Philadelphia’s Struggling to Make Housing Affordable
Philadelphia Neighborhoods, May 13, 2022
As city leaders try to improve Kensington, they too often leave out community members
Philadelphia Inquirer, May 11, 2022
Philly City Council members seek emergency declaration over Kensington’s opioid crisis
Philadelphia Inquirer, April 7, 2022
The next dangerous roadway Philly redesigns needs to avoid the Washington Ave. missteps
Philadelphia Inquirer, March 14, 2022
Kensington can’t wait to end gun violence, we need action now
Billy Penn, February 15, 2022
2021
Trauma-informed care has swept across nonprofit work
Generocity, December 15, 2021
Kensington organizations celebrate the holiday season with Santa Claus, the Grinch, and shopping
Kensington Voice, December 13, 2021
Mural Arts is flooding Kensington with public art. But is that what the neighborhood needs?
Philadelphia Inquirer, December 2, 2021
Grief and loss: These new programs in Kensington help mothers and fathers heal
Kensington Voice, November 8, 2021
RealLIST Impact: Meet 45 Philadelphia-area leaders whose work makes a difference
Generocity, November 5, 2021
Kensington business owners on pandemic recovery: ‘Things are getting better slowly, but we have a long way to go’
Kensington Voice, October 29, 2021
Trauma-Informed Practices Help Deliver Better Care to Clients and Staff
Shelterforce, October 6, 2021
Kensington‘s Recovery Plan
Philadelphia Citizen, September 17, 2021
Wells Fargo NeighborhoodLIFT Program Creates Pathways to Homeownership
Business Wire, August 30, 2021
‘There still is no answer’: Philly cracks down on Kensington encampments again as homelessness crisis intensifies
Billy Penn, August 18, 2021
In Kensington, residents ask, ‘Why would you think this is acceptable for us?’
Kensington Voice, August 13, 2021
Kensington to Mayor Kenney: ‘You’re the captain of this ship, and you either have to sail the ship or step on down’
Kensington Voice, August 12, 2021
Senator Tartaglione Announces State Community Development Funding for Frankford & Kensington
Pennsylvania Senate Democrats, August 2, 2021
Federal Policy + Community Development: Experts Look at Ways to Fuel a Transformative Recovery (video)
LISC, July 15, 2021
Philly community orgs facilitate youth study on community policing
Pennsylvania Capital-Star, June 30, 2021
NKCDC’s Nourish brings meal kit delivery service to a community that otherwise may not have access to it
Generocity, June 28, 2021
Kensington and Fairhill youth leaders talk community safety: ‘To be safe means that you see me as a full human being worthy of life, worthy of respect, worthy of honor, and worthy of value’
Kensington Voice, June 25, 2021
Sunday Suppers joins NKCDC as Nourish, a new nutrition program for Kensington
Metro Philadelphia, June 22, 2021
Sunday Suppers joins New Kensington Community Development Corporation for Nourish, a new nutrition program for Kensington
Al Día, June 22, 2021
‘My voice matters’: Kensington and Fairhill youth have answers to improve community safety
Al Día, June 16, 2021
Equitable Development Conference Special Episode! (audio)
Iron Sharpens Iron, Jun 16, 2021
“Mi voz importa”: estrategias para remover la violencia entre los jóvenes de Filadelfia
Univision 65 Philadelphia, June 15, 2021
Business and bloodshed
Philadelphia Inquirer, May 21, 2021
History is repeating in Kensington. It doesn’t have to be this way
PlanPhilly, May 2, 2021
New Toolkit Helps Communities Address Trauma to Shape Their Own Neighborhoods
Next City, April 2, 2021
Kensington community organizers release a guide for trauma-informed community engagement
Al Día, March 30, 2021
Kensington community responds to SEPTA closing down Somerset Station
Kensington Voice, March 29, 2021
Mayor Kenney’s lack of involvement in Somerset El closure isn’t just a transit issue. It’s a leadership failure.
Philadelphia Inquirer, March 28, 2021
Shuttered El stop illuminates depth of Philly’s entrenched social problems
Philadelphia Inquirer, March 28, 2021
SEPTA: Somerset station will see “a number of safety and security improvements” upon reopening
The Star, March 25, 2021
Kensington residents and nonprofits mobilize to protest SEPTA station closure
Generocity, March 24, 2021
Kensington residents call for change following Somerset closure
Metro Philadelphia, March 24, 2021
Kensington Residents March for Better Conditions As SEPTA Station Remains Closed
NBC 10 Philadelphia, March 24, 2021
Neighbors demand better communication, resources from SEPTA following closure of Kensington station (audio)
NYW News Radio, March 24, 2021
Residentes de Kensington protestan por el cierre de la estación de Somerset (video)
Univision 65 Philadelphia, March 24, 2021
‘Unacceptable’: Kensington residents protest closing of SEPTA’s Somerset Station after one week notice
Al Día, March 24, 2021
‘We shouldn’t have to get less’: Kensington residents protest Somerset Station closure (video)
PlanPhilly, March 24, 2021
Kensington Community ‘Disinvested In For The Last 40 Years’ Protest SEPTA Closing Somerset Station (video)
CBS 3 Philadelphia, March 23, 2021
Kensington protests closing of SEPTA’s Somerset El station, a lifeline for a battered neighborhood
Philadelphia Inquirer, March 23, 2021
Kensington residents share concerns about Somerset Station closure with SEPTA
Plan Philly, March 19, 2021
Building partnerships to lead the work
NeighborWorks America, March 19, 2021
How Kensington became an island
Plan Philly, March 19, 2021
Kensington artists, community leaders discuss public art as a tool for social change
WHYY, March 17, 2021
One Year of Covid: How Philadelphians Stepped Up
Philadelphia Citizen, March 15, 2021
Using art to keep a neighborhood’s culture in place
NeighborWorks America, March 12, 2021
5 principles of community driven development — and how to actualize them
Generocity, January 29, 2021
2020
Predictions for Nonprofits 2021
Generocity, December 23, 2020
Wells Fargo Regional Foundation will become part of the Philadelphia Foundation
Philadelphia Inquirer, December 18, 2020
Rallying for the Neighborhood
Philadelphia Citizen, December 14, 2020
Shop online but keep it local with Philly’s virtual holiday markets
Billy Penn, November 24, 2020
I Used to Be Somebody: (Un)Retirement Lessons Learned (audio) Pickleball Media, November 13, 2020
Power Moves: Talk about Black excellence
Generocity, October 23, 2020
Trash pile-ups and illegal dumping in Kensington: ‘Why is it our responsibility to then jump in and fend for ourselves?’
Kensington Voice, October 19, 2020
Harriett’s Bookshop is reopening with a sit-in demonstration
Philadelphia Inquirer, October 9, 2020
Philly homeless services organizations receive $1.5 million in grants
Philly Voice, September 11, 2020
The Intersection of Community Development & Mental Health
Build Healthy Places Network & NeighborWorks America, July 22, 2020
‘Both sides’ were agitators, says Fishtown police captain at tense community meeting
Billy Penn, July 1, 2020
Tell me a Story: Community Developers as Storytellers
Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations, June 2020
Can Virtual Cleanups Get Trash Off Real Streets?
Next City, June 17, 2020
NeighborWorks stories of unity and resilience: Minneapolis and Philadelphia
NeighborWorks America, June 13, 2020
Voices, June 11-18
Philadelphia Weekly, June 11, 2020
Big companies say they’re anti-racist, but what are they actually doing? (Audio)
Marketplace, June 4, 2020
‘I want to be able to heal’: Kensington residents begin yet another recovery
Plan Philly, June 3, 2020
How community leaders in Kensington, West Philly and other bruised neighborhoods say they’ll make it through
Billy Penn, June 2, 2020
Philly community group hosts socially distant cleanup of Kensington, Fishtown
Philadelphia Inquirer, May 5, 2020
Community, city respond after 16 businesses close in Kensington Avenue sweep
Kensington Voice, February 25, 2020
New Kensington CDC: Why the 2020 Census matters to us
Kensington Voice, February 25, 2020
Felix M. Torres-Colon, executive director of New Kensington CDC, dies at 62
Philadelphia Inquirer, February 15, 2020
Bok North? Historic Kensington school reopening as space for creatives
Billy Penn, January 31, 2020
These six organizations are improving their neighborhoods with help from Community Connectors
Generocity, January 2, 2020
2019
Senator Tartaglione Presents $150,000 State Grant for Redevelopment of Frankford Avenue Storefronts
Pennsylvania Senate, December 3, 2019
Where to shop local in Philly on Small Business Saturday
Billy Penn, November 29, 2019
Four ways NeighborWorks America VISTA members strengthen community organizations
NeighborWorks America, November 7, 2019
Isaacson applauds New Kensington Community Development Corporation on receiving $150K state grant
Pennsylvania House of Representatives, November 6, 2019
Kensington 2019 Block Build (video)
NBC 10, October 15, 2019
ELRadio: October 2019 broadcast (Audio)
Executive Leaders Radio, October 4, 2019
Philadelphia lawsuit threatens to shut down Kensington clubhouse for addiction recovery
WHYY, February 27, 2019
Storied Fishtown pretzel shop falls to development after 65 years
Billy Penn, February 24, 2019
NKCDC is incorporating trauma-informed practices into its community development work
Generocity, January 29, 2019
Checking in on Kensington’s biggest new housing project
Curbed Philadelphia, January 8, 2019