A Legacy of Community Action in Kensington

Kensington’s story is one of resilience, and few organizations understand that better than Impact Services. Founded in 1974 from the Kensington Environmental Center, the organization began with a Ford Foundation-supported demonstration project focused on employment. Since then, it has grown into a multifaceted force for community development, housing, and economic opportunity. Today, under the leadership of President and CEO Casey O’Donnell, Impact is focused on a powerful concept: belonging.

Supporting Residents Through Place-Based Work

For Impact Services, that belief takes root in Kensington. The organization delivers direct support to returning citizens, residents facing housing insecurity, and local small businesses — all with the aim of building a stronger, more connected neighborhood. From workforce development programs to brick-and-mortar development, the Impact team works block by block to create systems that work for the people who live there. “This is a community that has faced decades of disinvestment,” O’Donnell says. “But it’s also a community full of talent, drive, and hope.”

Expanding Impact Through Strategic Growth

Since taking over in 2015, O’Donnell has led a significant scaling of Impact’s work — especially in Kensington. What began as a small team has grown into a coordinated, multi-disciplinary effort. Today, roughly 160 employees support programming that ranges from affordable housing to crime reduction. The organization’s efforts in the Indiana Avenue focus zone, for example, have contributed to a measurable drop in gun violence and improved quality of life for local residents.

Facing Complex Challenges with Community at the Center

The challenges, however, are just as real as the progress. Coordination among stakeholders, limited nonprofit funding, and competition with private developers make the path forward complex. But for O’Donnell, that only reinforces the need to center community members in every decision.

Preserving Housing and Preventing Displacement

That vision extends into long-term plans for revitalizing Philadelphia’s aging housing stock. In addition to renovating vacant row homes, Impact Services is also working directly with longtime residents to preserve existing housing. Around A and Indiana, the organization is partnering with homeowners to complete extensive repairs on approximately 20 occupied homes — helping families remain safely housed and avoid displacement. Beyond that, Impact has completed over 400 safety-based home repairs, each up to $5,000 in value, through a partnership with the City of Philadelphia. These efforts reflect a broader commitment not just to increasing the supply of affordable housing, but to stabilizing what already exists.

Leading With Optimism and Purpose

Throughout it all, O’Donnell emphasizes one thing: hope.

A Real Estate Partnership That Understands Mission

Partnerships are a key part of that equation — especially when it comes to real estate. “We’ve worked with commercial brokers before, but most don’t fully understand the constraints and urgency nonprofits face,” O’Donnell explains. “Blueprint has been different. They get it. They understand our mission, our timelines, our funding cycles, and they help us think strategically about how to use the assets we do have. It's been a relief to have a team that’s accessible, knowledgeable, and genuinely committed to our success.”

At Blueprint Commercial, we’re proud to collaborate with mission-driven partners like Impact Services. Their work reminds us that real estate is not just about property — it’s about people, and the neighborhoods they call home.