"Kensington, for those not from Philly, has long had a reputation for potent but affordable street drugs. Interstate 95 and the Market-Frankford elevated commuter train line provide easy access to the neighborhood for buyers and sellers, and abandoned buildings offer havens for drug use and other illicit activity. St. Francis Inn Ministries, which was founded by two Franciscan friars in 1979, serves sit-down breakfast and dinner for thousands of people each year, many of whom suffer from poverty, homelessness and substance use disorder."
"These ministries are operated by a core team of nine full-time members, hundreds of volunteers from local high schools and colleges, and an ad hoc team of folks from many walks of life. In the years I've been volunteering at St. Francis, significant changes have occurred in Kensington, including gentrification, soaring housing prices and increased police activity. Such changes can make it harder for people who suffer from poverty and homelessness to remain in the neighborhood."
St. Francis Inn in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia serves sit-down breakfast and dinner to thousands yearly and operates Marie's Closet providing free used clothing and housewares. The ministries are staffed by nine full-time members, hundreds of local student volunteers, and an ad hoc community volunteer base. Kensington features concentrated affordable street drugs, abandoned buildings, and easy access via I-95 and the Market-Frankford elevated line. Recent years brought gentrification, soaring housing prices and increased police activity. Guest visits declined around 2018, prompting consideration of relocation north or a mobile outreach unit to reach people in need.
Read at The Conversation
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]