Families packed a Kensington street this weekend for an annual block party aiming to revitalize the community.

Pastor Buddy Osborn with The Rock Philly said his ministry has been holding the block party on Kensington Avenue for 15 years. It was transformed Saturday to a mini carnival filled with games, water slides, and food.

“This is the number one area for the open-air drug market,” Pastor Osborn said. “For one day out of the year, this is completely shut down. Our kids get a chance to create some amazing memories in their life, as opposed to seeing carnage that they see.”

Brenda Guase recently joined The Rock ministry and typically, she would not bring her children to the Kensington neighborhood.

“When you come down here, you don’t think of it as a place where you can bring children. It’s not safe for children or adults,” Guase said. “For them to slowly try to turn the tables and get the community coming together on a positive note, it’s just outstanding.”

Osborn was raised in Kensington and said he’s seen the challenges of the community personally.

Since the 1960’s, the Kensington community has endured rapid deindustrialization, job loss, and historic disinvestment, according to the city of Philadelphia. It has also experienced some of the worst conditions and effects of the overdose epidemic, the city says.

Last year, Philadelphia mayor Cherelle Parker directed public safety officials to develop a 100-day plan to permanently shut down all open-air drug markets in Philadelphia. Data from that report shows through targeted enforcement tactics and presence of additional police officers, Kensington has seen a 17% reduction in violent crime in Kensington in 2024 compared to 2023.

This includes:

  • 45% reduction in homicides
  • 46% reduction in rapes
  • 27% reduction in robberies with guns
  • 13% reduction in robberies with other weapons

Osborn said while progress has been made, there is so much more work to be done.

“It’s a sad piece, we feel the kids have no voice in Kensington. We want to change that narrative,” he said. “When these kids come here one day a year, they come…this is like they’re at Disney World, you know? This is a memory that will never leave them, all the days of their lives. No matter how difficult Kensington is. It is one of the darkest places in America, but these kids, when they leave here today, they’re going to leave here refreshed, rejuvenated, and filled with joy.”

Progress can only happen through partnerships and community, he said.

“When the community sees us working together, things will get done,” he said.

In February, Philadelphia officials said that they planned to provide a more visible presence in Kensington this year.

February report: https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/report-kensington-revitalization-efforts-drop-crime/4118431/

100 day plan: https://philly-stat-360.phila.gov/pages/kensington-revitalization