The Community Center at Visitation is a community center located in Kensington, Philadelphia that provides educational, recreational, and social services programs. It was opened in 2003 in a formerly abandoned building to serve the community. The Center offers programs like ESL classes, a food pantry, after school programs, senior activities, arts programs, and sports leagues to improve lives and opportunities for residents, many of whom live in poverty. It aims to be a safe haven and boost self-esteem for families in the neighborhood.

1. 2646KensingtonAvenue
Philadelphia,PA19125
COMMUNITY CENTER AT VISITATION
Communitycenteratvis.org
A Beacon of Hope in Kensington

2. About Us
In November 2003, the Archdiocese of
Philadelphia opened the Cardinal
Bevilacqua Community Center’s doors to
serve and engage the community and
promote development. The Center
brought new life to the then abandoned
building, once famously known as the
Starlight Ballroom.
With the support of the community, the
help of donors and organizations, and the
spirit of the church, the corner of
Kensington and Lehigh Avenues no longer
sat as an eye sore of rubble but as a new
structure fully modernized. The Center
provides the community with sports,
education classes, after-school programs,
art programs, service opportunities, and
more.

3. Our History
Stemming from their community
commitment and hope to have the
Center become a more effective and
integrated resource for the Kensington
community, Catholic Social Services
transferred the management of the
Center to Visitation BVM Parish in July
2010. Today, the Community Center at
Visitation (CCV) is embarking on an
exciting new course with a renewed
hope and dream guiding its steps-to
facilitate a better quality of life and
meaningful possibilities for our
neighbors, and to become more
integrated within the community of
Kensington.
80% of families live
below the poverty
level
47% of adults have not
graduated from High
School

4. Mission
The Community Center at Visitation is committed to provide a safe place for
community outreach, continuous education, and recreation among the
diverse cultural communities of Kensington and its surrounding
neighborhoods. Serving as a “Beacon of Hope,” the Center embraces and
celebrates this community with particular regard for nurturing the potential
of its youth, senior, and immigrant populations.

5. About Kensington
Kensington is one of the 10
poorest Districts in the
country and the second
hungriest District in the USA.
Philadelphia Inquirer
October 2010

6. Community Center at Visitation
Programs and Services
2646 Kensington Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19125

7. Adult Education
English as a Second Language (3 levels: Basic, Beginner, Intermediate)
Adult Literacy
GED
Computer
Financial Literacy

8. Seniors
Seniors are a vibrant part of the life of Community Center at
Visitation. On Mondays, seniors arrive for bingo at 9AM and
stay to talk and share. Low-impact exercise with a certified
trainer is offered on a seasonal basis. Visits and outreach
with trained volunteers connect home bound seniors to
much needed services while allowing people to age in place
in a community that they love.

9. Food Program After School Program Drop In program
 Community Dinners Community Meeting
 Community Projects Movie Nights
 Basketball League Temporary Assistance
 After School Programs Food Pantry
Community Outreach

10. Recreation Gymnasium Arts
 Basketball Leagues Soccer Leagues Volleyball
 Art Festivals In door gymnasium Playground
 Holiday Events OPEN GYM Much, much more
Sports, Recreation and Healthy Lifestyles

11. Children and Youth
Programs for children and youth focus on providing young people
with a “safe place” to learn and grow. Many organizations partner
with the Community Center at Visitation to offer services that meet
students where they are.

12. Our Results
 Last year over 30,000
people benefited from
our programs
 Feeding 100 families per
week
 We service over 25,000
children each year
 Our programs boost the
self-esteem and
confidence of families
 Provide a “safe place” for
community activities

13. Impact and Sustainability
The CCV offers programs to match
the unique needs of the
surrounding neighborhood. We
provide job training, English
language development, food
distribution, education, recreation
opportunities, and more. These
programs will help neighbors
begin to break cycles of poverty
and violence, gain critical skills for
employment, further their
education, and meet basic needs.
• Improvement in community
safety and health
• Improved access to
educational opportunities
• Improvement in recreational,
art and other activities for
children
• Decrease in the number of
hungry children and adults

14. Get Involved
 Volunteer Special Events Make a Donation
 Help in Food Pantry Use your special skills
 Follow us on Facebook Support The Hope Gala
 Have your own Fundraiser (set up a Crowdrise page/call for information)
www.communitycenteratvis.org

15. For more information
Community Center at Visitation
2646 Kensington Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19125
215-425-9422
M – F 8 am to 9 pm
Saturdays & Sundays
(Dependent on Program)
Email:
bscanlon@communitycenteratvis.org
Parish Office
215-634-1133
www.communitycenteratvis.org

16. Community Visitation Center
A Beacon of Hope in Kensington
www.communitycenteratvis.com

18. Appendix 1 – Crime Comparison in Philadelphia

19. Appendix 2 –2012 Crime Statistics in Philadelphia

20. Appendix 3 – 2015 Projected Crime in Philadelphia