PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — It’s been a big year for community activist Ryan Harris. The founder of the nonprofit As I Plant This Seed has helped put Philly’s needs on the map through his gun violence prevention efforts.
Earlier this month, Harris was invited to the White House, where he was honored alongside other anti-violence advocates and organizers from across the country.
“It was refreshing, actually, to see people that are on the frontlines — grassroots organizations, starting from literally nothing — and sustaining through all that adversity, pandemic, all of these things. And then being recognized by the White House and putting this all together for us to connect and continue to share information; to be a light to each other, to be a resource to each other,” he said.
While it’s great to be acknowledged on a national scale, Harris said the work will keep going strong back home in Hunting Park.
“We are actually doing work at the Tree House,” the nonprofit’s headquarters, he said. “We provide 10 free programs right now for the youth, and we are extending these programs throughout the year to make sure that these kids are staying off the street. And not only staying off the street, having a safe place to come, be themselves, pick up a skill, and then also be able to change [their] life and the trajectory of where they’re going.”
Harris said instances of Philadelphia gun violence are skewing younger and younger. That’s where the programs come in, providing kids with alternative resources during that crucial time after school.
He said the after-school programs “help these kids propel to new heights and help them reach their full potential.”
Related
As I Plant This Seed is also gearing up for its 11th annual holiday giveaway. Last year, they sponsored 60 families, and this year, the group has doubled its impact.
“We are looking to help these parents out with getting these gifts for the kids that will help them free up some money and maybe catch up with some bills during the holidays,” Harris said, “so they won’t have to worry about some of these big items that the kids want for Christmas.”
While the holiday season is the time for giving, it’s also when the organization makes its annual push for support of its programming throughout the year. Through a partnership with James Helm of Top Dog Law, Harris said they have already raised $70,000 of a $100,000 goal.
“When you think about who’s doing the grassroots proactive gun violence prevention in Philadelphia, Ryan’s the first guy that comes to mind,” said Helm. “We were able to raise $15,000 to help support his operational budget as well as get some gifts for families in 2020. And we were able to increase that last year. And hopefully, this will be the third year where we’re able to increase it.”