Rev. Richard Harris is the pastor at Firm Hope Baptist Church and is active in various community groups in Port Richmond and Kensington. He has worked closely with the New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC) for several years, assisting with planning efforts and programming in the community. He has also helped NKCDC develop its North of Lehigh Neighborhood Plan and Community Design Collaborative project and has served on the Steering Committee of Somerset Neighbors for Better Living (SNBL).
Rev. Harris applied to CPI because he wanted to supplement his work with a better understanding of city planning and of researching data. His hope was that he could apply the lessons he learned in CPI to the community groups he works with. After CPI, Rev. Harris was elected to NKCDC’s Neighborhood Advisory Subcommittee, in February 2015. He also became a Zoning Committee member with SNBL and is helping the organization prepare to apply for RCO status.
Somerset Neighbors for Better Living, Clean & Green Committee beautification project
Sterner Street site stabilization and beautification project with NKCDC and SNBL
Grace Townhomes under construction, which will be permanently affordable as part of a community land trust. Photo Credit: Richard Harris
Pastor Richard Harris at NKCDC's Orinoka Civic House groundbreaking, another affordable housing project he contributed to in the Somerset neighborhood. Photo Credit: NKCDC