Kensington Avenue has been described as: “[T]he street of lost souls and forgotten dreams….the desperation is palpable. Drug addicts and prostitutes take shelter under elevated train tracks that run three miles into the far northeast of the city, in a run-down neighbourhood (sic) that has become a portraiture of America at its darkest.” (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2140221/A-dark-corner- America-Photographs-seedy-drug-fueled-underbelly-Philadelphia)
Another article stated: “Philadelphia has one of the most violent Bad Date Alerts (BDA) in the nation, showing trends in serial violence — especially in the Kensington section of Northeast Philadelphia.” (http://swop-philly.com/2015/11/07/is-pennsylvania-ready-for-cease-instead-of-sex-work)
And another journalist wrote: “Kensington Avenue’s ghoulish world of addiction and prostitution exists outside the law.”(http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/08/13/philadelphia-s-kensington-avenue-heroin-prostitution- and-no-police.html)
When the “Kensington Strangler” was loose and the community (especially prostituted women) was in fear for their safety, the Salvation Army Drop-In Center was opened as a safe place where the women could come late at night. The original plan was that this would be a temporary Center, but it became apparent that the need for the services provided was great, so the Center eventually moved to its permanent location on Kensington Avenue.
A CBS Philly article described the Drop-In Center: ”Located at the corner of Kensington and Lehigh Avenue, The Salvation Army’s New Day Drop-In Center is located in an area rife with sex crimes. But look beneath the surface and many of the so-called prostitutes common on those streets are victims, forced to sell their bodies, or suffer the consequences. ‘They’re coerced or forced into it by a pimp, by a sex buyer or by a john or by an abusive boyfriend or husband,’ says Jamie Manirakiza, director of anti- trafficking and social services for the Salvation Army. She says the small center, which is open Monday through Thursday stays busy. They see anywhere 15 to 25 women a day.” (http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2015/01/25/kensington-drop-in-shelter-raises-awareness- about-human-trafficking)
In fact, statistics for 10/01/14-12/31/15 released by the Salvation Army state that the Drop-In Center had 4,657 total interactions with new and returning women and provided women with 256 showers; 2,719 meals; 1,521 outfits/articles of clothing; and 1,250 toiletries. (The Salvation Army Greater Philadelphia’s New Day to Stop Trafficking booklet)
It was an honor to be given access to film in this very special place and a remarkable experience to see the loving and dedicated people who work at and volunteer for the Drop-In Center in action with the women with whom they clearly have built solid and trusting relationships.
