Our Origins, Inspiration, and History
We were born from the vision that reshaping the education of young people through community and nature was the way forward for our neighborhood. These three forces - people, land, and culture - coming together to elevate young people’s power is what motivates NSNP’s continued efforts today.
Our organization’s name contains the term “project” to embody both the fact that we have a powerful history and the way our story continues to grow alongside the needs of our community. Our work is ongoing and we are committed to building a better future.
When Norris Square Neighborhood Project first emerged it had a singular concept at its core – to reimagine youth education by creating an environmental center founded by community educators Helen Loeb and Natalie Kempner. This was only made stronger with the creation of community gardens by Iris Brown and Tomasita Romero (Founders of Grupo Motivos). A transformative merge that was born from deep friendships.
When the land was reclaimed and transformed into gardens in the face of challenges posed by neglect, disinvestment, and the drug trade, a safe space was carved out for Kensington's neighborhood youth, Spanish speakers, and all members of the community seeking a place to nurture their sense of belonging. This land possesses immeasurable value for our community. From an era of deindustrialization, to violent crime during the war on drugs, to current gentrification and cultural erasure, we understand the inequities our community faces and we refuse to be defined by them. Instead we provide that needed sense of belonging and validation through beautiful gardens that celebrate Puerto Rican culture and traditions, activities that foster connection, and programs that cultivate true leadership within the youth in the community.
We teach our youth how to express themselves, speak up, communicate effectively, reflect and think critically about the world around them, and be a positive force in their community. With these skills, they will become adults who know who they are, where they are from, what they want, and how to get it. They will know how to take care of themselves and others, make change, and be leaders. Our young people become empowered young adults, ready to make the world better.
Natalie Kempner
Natalie Kempner, a Norris Square Neighborhood Project co-founder, was an active local school teacher who saw the need to provide children with a safe and supportive environment outside school hours. A Quaker activist, she spent many years doing development work in Africa. Her second career began as a public elementary school teacher, assigned to the old W.F. Miller School in the Norris Square neighborhood.
We learned a long time ago that if the local people aren't involved in every aspect of the garden from the very beginning, they won't own the project. And if they don't own it, they won't defend it.
- Natalie Kempner (1924 - 2019)
Dr. Helen Loeb
Dr. Helen Loeb, a Norris Square Neighborhood Project co-founder, was a Ph.D. professor at the Eastern University of Pennsylvania. She worked to gather volunteers, artists, school teachers, higher education institutions, nonprofit agencies, and participant families to build NSNP’s programming. Helen served at Eastern in various capacities for over 40 years. Beginning her time at Eastern in the classroom as a professor in Education, Helen continued to teach and serve as the Chair of the Education Department. In addition, she became the inaugural dean of the Loeb School of Education.
