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The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at SBU chapter.

During my spring break, I went with a group of people to the St. Francis Inn in Kensington, Philadelphia instead of going home. When I told my friends I was going to Kensington, they thought I was crazy as the news has given the city a bad reputation due to the amount of crime that takes place there. They would have thought I was even crazier if I told them I drove by the most dangerous part in Kensington. 

This was my last, full day in Philadelphia, so when I was in the car to help with picking up donations, I asked the driver if it was okay if we went by there (the place where Kensington and Alleghany Avenue intersected). The reason it was deemed so dangerous is because of the number of needles left around from drug usage and the amount of crime and violence that occurs. When I saw the city, there were not that many people out because of how cold it was. When we started to turn, there was something that caught my eye. A mural filled with bright colors and a whole bunch of people. This was called “The Heart of Kensington.” 

Even after the trip, I still think about that mural. Nobody knew the specific meaning, but I had a good idea of what it could have been. Looking at the Kensington community, I noticed something. If they knew somebody, they would always greet them. If they did not know someone, they were willing to get to know them. When they sit down for a meal, they would sit with someone they have never spoken to in their life.  

That is what the mural meant. At the heart of Kensington are the people. Even in the worst of circumstances, they choose to stay strong and stay connected to one another. One of the things that the people will do is create piles of trash so it would be easier for those who sweep the streets. This shows how much they care about their community.

I believe that to understand Kensington as a whole, you need to have a conversation with those who live there. Hearing their stories is what made the experience more enjoyable for me. In the end, being able to witness, serve, and help such a strong group of people made me feel so happy. I felt like I was welcomed into this place I had never been before with open arms.

Olivia Francis is a second-year member of the Her Campus at SBU chapter. She oversees the site’s culture, entertainment, and wellness verticals on the site, including mental health, relationships, TV shows, and movie coverage. Olivia is currently a second-year student majoring in Communications, Social Justice & Advocacy at St. Bonaventure University. Beyond Her Campus, Olivia has been published in many anthropologies over the years through an organization called Young Writers. She is also one of the leading coordinators for SBU's Break The Bubble. In her free time, Olivia enjoys writing poetry and short stories, along with taking walks while listening to her favorite music genres on Spotify such as Pop or R&B. One of her goals is to travel the world someday and explore new foods and customs. An interesting fact about Olivia is she is not only the first college gen student but, she is the first female in her family to go for a higher education.