What we do.
PB&J is a trauma informed after-school cooking program that connects youth to caring adults, local opportunities, and essential resources while teaching life skills around food preparation, nutrition, self-care, and safety. Through consistent engagement and a relationship-first approach, we ensure that no young person falls through the cracks of our system.
Our Impact.
It’s tough being a teenager in modern society. It’s crushing being a teenager in Kensington- a community at the epicenter of the opioid and gun violence epidemics, seeped in intergenerational poverty, and in a system unprepared for complex challenges. PB&J of CultureTrust Greater Philadelphia aims to address the unique challenges faced by young people ages 12 to 19 in our community, particularly those who have experienced trauma and disconnection. Since its inception, 228 teens have attended our program. Around 40% have come from the 19134 zip code, about 25% came from adjacent zip codes (19124, 19140) and the rest from a variety of areas of the city. As we develop relationships with our teens we are able to understand what their circumstances are and help connect them to additional services (as needed) and opportunities. We have placed our teens with local restaurants, other teen programs, connected them to resources, and internships. One of our teens completed a summer internship and said about her experience: “I learned a lot about leadership and community at PB&J as well as helping others and being selfless and that’s what helped me get the internship at Esperanza. During the interview they were surprised with the experience I gained in PB&J [...] I’ve been homeschooled for most of my life so my social skills were very low but when I joined the program I’ve gained a lot of skills with interpersonal communication and made many friends.” What excites us the most is the growth we are seeing. One of our teens came to us after being incarcerated. We worked closely with him and have seen him grow into one of our most focused leaders. Another teen spent her first few weeks getting in trouble. She is now one of the leaders mentoring a teen on the autism spectrum. When asked why she thought she would be a good mentor, she wrote, “Our whole thing is having fun, being and feeling comfortable, and of course being safe. And I know he’ll have those 3 things if he works with me.”
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How your funds will be used.
 | PB&J is a small organization, which means your donation goes straight to the teens we serve. About 26% of our budget is paid directly to teen stipends, honoring their time, commitment, and leadership. Another 16% supports program supplies—the ingredients, tools, and materials that turn our kitchen into a place of learning and belonging. Additional funds allow us to offer special programming, like our Signature Dish Series, where participants develop and share recipes that are meaningful to them—family traditions, cultural touchstones, or stories they want others to know. With a small staff and a deeply committed volunteer board, we keep overhead low so your support is invested where it matters most: in the program, the food, and the young people at the heart of PB&J. |
How you can help
Every gift to PB&J makes a real difference. Whether it’s $10 or $1,000, your support helps teens show up, learn, and be seen. A gift of $23 covers food and a stipend for one teen for a day. $120 supports one teen’s participation in our regular programs for an entire month. And $300 funds stipends for all of our teen leaders during a Sunday program. Whatever amount you choose, you’re investing directly in young people—and in a space where they are valued, nourished, and trusted to lead. If you're interested in becoming a regular volunteer, reach out to our Director, Bryan Belknap at bdbelknap@gmail.com
Learn More about Us.
To learn more about our program, read about is in The Inquirer and Kensington Voice or follow us on Instagram.
Our website is coming soon! Stay tuned.
Highlights
See all activity1Fiscal Sponsorship
This project is fiscally sponsored by CultureTrust Greater Philadelphia, a charitable trust administered by CultureWorks Greater Philadelphia. All donations to this project will be received and managed by CultureTrust. Learn more at cultureworksphila.org .
CultureTrust Greater Philadelphia (EIN: 46-3109411) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, donations to which are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. The official registration and financial information of CultureTrust may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
