Press Release:
Have you ever wondered what would happen to your block if the power went out for three days, or if the creek suddenly breached its banks? Some neighbors in Glenside did. That is exactly why they formed the Keswick Village Community Resilience Coalition (KCRC), affectionatly called “Kick Rocks” by the neighbors.
They are a grassroots network of neighbors who have decided to stop waiting for outside help and start building real, tangible safety right here on our own streets. While their roots and physical meeting space are based in Keswick Village, their doors are wide open. Anyone from the surrounding area is welcome and encouraged to join them.
Their core mission is simple: focus on closing the gap between all of the amazing services available across Abington, Cheltenham, and Jenkintown, and those of us who simply aren’t aware those services exist. There is no reason a family should struggle to recover from a flooded basement when municipal, county, and state resources are sitting right in our backyard. KCRC connects the neighbors to those resources in advance when there isn’t the stress and panic of a disaster.
But beyond the resources and the township programs, “We are fundamentally working on being better neighbors to each other. We want to know who on our street has a generator, who needs their walkway shoveled, and which of our older residents might need a knock on the door during a severe summer thunderstorm.” says Ian Costello, the founder of KCRC. “Disasters do not wait for formal introductions. So, by building these relationships today, we ensure we can rely on each other when a crisis strikes tomorrow. That’s why our motto is: “When we are connected, we are protected.'”
To keep their momentum going, the KCRC has officially established our 2026 Programming Calendar. Every month, they are going to tackle a different piece of the neighborhood safety puzzle. Their upcoming schedule includes a historical Glenside Resilience Walking Tour in May, a deep dive into Pet Preparedness in June, and hands-on Fire Safety training in October. Also, look out for them tabling at upcoming events.
However, Ian doesn’t want to just stand at the front of the room and talk. “In the first two meetings we’ve had this year we’ve seen that the Keswick community is packed with incredible local professionals, and we would love to invite local experts to come talk to our neighborhood about the topics on our agenda.”
KCRC’s Immediate Need: April is Financial Resilience Month For the upcoming April neighborhood safety gathering, the KCRC is focusing on Financial Resilience. They want to help neighbors decode their policies, understand the true cost of a disaster, and protect their wallets before the flood water reaches their doors.
To do this right, KCRC is currently looking for a few local home insurance agents and a public adjuster to come speak to the group in the next few weeks.
“There is such incredible talent right here in Keswick and Glenside. I’ve driven past the independent agencies lining Easton Road and spoken to the public adjusters operating right over in Jenkintown. We want them at our table to help us understand the critical differences between overland flood insurance, sewer backup riders, and how to successfully navigate a claim.” said Ian.
If you are a local expert willing to share your knowledge for an evening, or if you are simply a resident who wants to help build a stronger, more connected community, KCRC want to hear from you.
Message from Keswick Village Community Resilience Coalition:
Come join us, and let’s get to work protecting our village and community!
To get involved, offer your expertise, or find out about reach out to us at keswickcrc@gmail.com and join our next meeting at the Won Community Service Center (523 Abington Ave, Glenside, PA, 19038).
For all the latest news, follow us on Facebook or sign up for Glenside Local’s “Daily Buzz” newsletter here.