Kingsessing Heals Community Resilience Center, a new resource center has opened in the Southwest Philadelphia neighborhood that bears the center’s name.
The new center celebrated its grand opening during a ceremony inside its location at the 5700 block of Chester Avenue on Friday, April 11.
In July 2023, five people were killed and several more were injured during a mass shooting in Kingsessing.
According to executive director Tim Massaquoi, the center’s opening is in response to that mass shooting.
“With this center, our priority is the victims of the 2023 mass shooting and their journey towards healing,” Massaquoi told PHILADELPHIA.Today.
Nearly two years later, many in the neighborhood and from the community are still impacted by the losses.
The center will provide a number of programs and services focused on helping individuals build capacity to withstand, adapt, and recover from severe circumstances.
Services include those surrounding mental health and wellness, grief, loss counseling, and more.
“At Kingsessing Heals, we make sure our work reflects the voices, the needs, and the vision of the people who live here,” said Alexis Noland, engagement and outreach coordinator at Kingsessing Heals.
The opening of the center is far from a one-person, or one-organization effort.
Anti-Violence Partnership of Philadelphia (AVP) is one of the many partnering organizations of this effort.
Natasha Danielá de lima McGlynn, executive director of AVP, said the organization offered a lending hand almost immediately.
“For years, we’ve been a designated victim services agency for West and Southwest Philadelphia … we’ve had the opportunity to support individuals and families through moments of deep pain,” de Lima McGlynn said.
Located just four miles away from Kingsessing Heals, de Lima McGlynn and her team understood the level of responsibility and trust that is required to bring this center to life.
“We didn’t step into this work to lead from the ground, but rather to walk alongside, to carry what we could, and help create space for healing and care,” she added.
In addition to the center’s opening, Massaquoi said that Kingsessing Heals will also provide support during the trials set to take place later this year.
“We are here for the family,” said Massaquoi, “We’re just going to be by their side.”
Read more about the new organization striving to help support the Kingsessing community at KHCRC.com.
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