Rising Stars: Meet Garry Mills of Philadelphia, PA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Garry Mills.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Meet the Everyday Hero: Garry Mills

Garry Mills represents the definition of an everyday hero. Not someone who sought recognition, but someone who made a decision to show up when his community needed him most.

A Hometown Son Who Chose to Stay

Garry earned First Team All Public honors at Lincoln High School and witnessed the devastating impact of gun violence firsthand. After losing 18 loved ones starting at the age of 14, he chose to turn personal loss into community protection.

In 2010, he organized an anti-violence event in Germantown’s Brickyard neighborhood that drew more than 400 people. It revealed a community not just in crisis, but in need of safety, connection, and someone willing to lead. Garry chose to stay and become that person.

Building a Movement from a Car Trunk

In 2013, Garry launched SBNP with no institutional backing. He sold hoodies out of his trunk to sustain the program. What began with 13 youth has grown into a nationwide movement serving families across West Philadelphia, Germantown, and Mt. Airy, earning recognition from the Philadelphia Eagles and the Philadelphia 76ers.

Showing Up When It Matters Most

What sets Garry apart is his reliability.

He answers late-night calls from youth in crisis. He walks the hallways schools to check on students. He steps into conflicts to de-escalate situations before they become irreversible.

For many young people, Garry is the most consistent adult presence in their lives. That consistency creates stability. That stability saves lives.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No.

Some of the struggles along the way consists of lack of funding, sustainable donor base, and federal funding being cut in the gun violence prevention space.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Program Model: Mentorship, Safety, and Whole Child Support

Youth Mentorship and Violence Prevention

Garry leads weekly, year-round programming for youth ages 8 to 24. Using basketball as a gateway, he builds relationships that reinforce discipline, accountability, and conflict resolution.

Young people who might otherwise become disconnected stay engaged in school, avoid cycles of violence, and often return as mentors, helping to guide the next generation.

Mental Health and Trauma Informed Care

Recognizing the weight of community trauma, Garry ensures access to professional mental health support, mindfulness, and yoga.

These practices give young people tools to regulate emotions, manage stress, and respond to conflict in healthier ways. In environments where instability is constant, these skills are often the difference between escalation and self-control.

Meeting Basic Needs

Garry understands that a young person cannot engage if their basic needs are not met.

He removes every barrier to entry by providing consistent meals, healthy snacks, and hydration during all programming, along with uniforms, sneakers, and equipment at no cost.

This is not an added benefit. It is the foundation of trust that makes the program work.

Community Impact

By the Numbers

2,500 plus youth impacted since 2013

Weekly, year-round programming for youth ages 8 to 17

Active engagement across Germantown, West Philadelphia, and Mt. Airy

Partnerships with Boys Latin Charter of Philadelphia and other local schools

Growth from 13 original participants to a sustained community-based model

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
What lessons were learned:

Because of Garry’s leadership, young people stay connected to school, avoid cycles of violence, develop leadership skills, and return as mentors within their own communities.

Families gain peace of mind. Communities gain stability. Young people gain a path forward.

So Garry has learned when you have an active leader that remains connected to the neighborhoods they serve – Children’s grades and/or behaviors change and more opportunities & resources start to develop that’s were the REAL CHANGE starts to happen.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.joinsbnp.org
• Instagram: @joinsbnp

Image Credits
Visions By JG