Norris Square Neighborhood Project

Looking for a way to give back this weekend?

Join us this Saturday at Las Parcelas Garden for our monthly Volunteer Day. Whether you're an experienced gardener or simply looking to spend a few hours outdoors with your community, we'd love to have you join us.

Together we'll help care for the garden, support ongoing projects, and preserve a space that celebrates Puerto Rican culture, history, and community in the heart of Philadelphia.

🌱 Saturday, June 27
🕙 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
📍 Las Parcelas Garden
2248 N. Palethorp Street, Philadelphia

Bring a water bottle, wear comfortable clothes, and come ready to get your hands dirty.

Register through the link in our bio.

Throwback Thursday

Long before social media, these moments were being captured at Norris Square Neighborhood Project.

These photos from the late 1980s and early 1990s show children playing, learning, creating, and spending their summers in the gardens. One photo features the koi pond that many longtime community members may remember, a space that has since been transformed into a garden bed. Another captures young participants proudly showing off their artwork during a cultural program.

For more than four decades, NSNP has been a place where friendships were formed, traditions were shared, and generations of young people found community.

Do you recognize anyone in these photos?

Were you part of NSNP as a child, teen, volunteer, gardener, staff member, or neighbor?

Tell us in the comments:
What are your favorite summer memories at NSNP?
What garden, program, or activity do you remember most?
Do you have old NSNP photos you’d be willing to share?

We’re hoping to reconnect with NSNP alumni and preserve these stories for future generations. Tag someone who might recognize a face, remember a program, or have a story to tell. Want to stay connected? Sign up for our newsletter and follow along as we continue to grow…

And they’re off to Puerto Rico! 🇵🇷

Four youth and three staff members (not all pictured) are set to spend a week in Puerto Rico. This is our 3rd year bringing NSNP students to the Island and we cannot wait to share all they are experiencing with you soon.

Wish them safe travels and a great trip!

🤩 2026 SENIORS 🤩

We recently celebrated our 2026 graduating Seniors! We are so proud of each and every one of them. Their dedication not only to their community but to each other and themselves does not go unnoticed.

Congrats, 2026 Seniors! We are so proud of you and cannot wait to see what you achieve in the future.

(Pictured)
🎓 Jasir Jones
🎓 Liliana Colon
🎓 Luciano Matthews
(Not pictured)
🎓 Amir Davis
🎓 Juhlai Odom-Dixon
🎓 Misael Velez Cruz
🎓 Victoria Rivera

Recently, NSNP students visited for a panel discussion with undergraduate seniors to discuss what it is like to be a first-generation and/or first-year student at university!

Our students were able to ask questions and view the campus while attending.

Thank you to the seniors who spoke with us and the U of Penn’s Admissions Office for helping coordinate this visit!

⭐️ NEW DATE ⭐️

Due to the rainy weather predicted this weekend Fiesta de Los Jardines will now take place on Saturday, July 25, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Join us in July for an afternoon filled with:
🎶 music and dance by
🍻 Beer provided by
🧘 yoga with
💃 Salsa class
🛍️ Local makers and vendors

All previously purchased tickets will still be valid for the July date!

If you haven’t grabbed your tickets yet, now is the time. Invite your friends, family, and neighbors to come celebrate summer with us while supporting NSNP’s mission and programs.

🎟️ Tickets available via https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/fiesta-de-los-jardines (pay-what-you-can tickets available)
🗓️ Saturday, July 25
⏰ 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
📍NSNP Gardens

Last week, our students traveled to Harrisburg for with !

Students and educators statewide advocated for the importance of out-of-school-time opportunities in PA while uniting at the Capitol to engage with legislators. This opportunity allows us to emphasize why funding for after-school and summer programming is essential in Philadelphia.

After-school and summer programs are a core part of our education system and put youth at the center, allowing them to design their own learning journey through building programming around students' needs and interests. NSNP's Semillas del Futuro and Raíces de Cambio programs are shining examples of their success.

Thank you to for meeting and engaging with our young leaders here as he does in Philly! We also want to thank 's staff for taking the time to engage with our students.

We have updated the link following reports that the Annual Report was not loading correctly on mobile devices.

Be sure to take a look at our Annual Report and all we accomplished in 2025.
https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/655be20f086dff306234b03a/69fa4dc0f0333fa15be0cf4c_NSNP%202025%20Annual%20Report%20(2)_compressed.pdf

Our 2025 Annual Report is here and ready for you to view!

2025 was filled with love and fun in our youth programs, gardens, and community, and of course, opportunities for growth and change.

In 2025, NSNP served over 100 local students, connected with a variety of land stewards and environmental educators, and continued to promote NSNP's deep-rooted culture. Read more about key milestones, impact statistics, initiatives, and more.

Explore the full annual report:https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/655be20f086dff306234b03a/69fa4dc0f0333fa15be0cf4c_NSNP%202025%20Annual%20Report%20(2)_compressed.pdf

Raíces de Cambio apprentices learning with Iris Brown about herbs in Las Parcelas!