Unlocking Community Impact Through Giving With Susan Ryder

Susan Ryder is the Community Engagement Associate at Family Promise of Harrisburg Capital Region, an organization dedicated to assisting families experiencing homelessness. She has contributed to the community through her work at Grace Lutheran Church's Giving Pantry and by writing about nonprofit, DEI, homelessness, and social justice issues for TheBurg magazine. Susan enjoys connecting people to resources and has a passion for the outdoors, reading, and crocheting.

In this episode…

Generosity comes in many forms, and sometimes, the most impactful actions stem from seeing a need and having the courage to step forward. But how do we identify these opportunities to give and make a lasting difference?

According to Susan Ryder, a passionate advocate for community engagement, generosity begins with recognizing the resources you already have — whether it’s time, skills, or simply a space to share. She highlights that true giving often comes with discomfort, requiring courage to act when it’s inconvenient or unexpected. From helping neighbors with childcare to supporting families facing homelessness, Susan emphasizes that generosity is not limited to financial contributions but thrives in small, thoughtful acts.

In this episode of You Can’t Take it With You, Jim Dunlop sits down with Susan Ryder, Community Engagement Associate at Family Promise of Harrisburg Capital Region, to discuss unlocking community impact through everyday generosity. Susan talks about recognizing opportunities to give, the courage it takes to act, and the ripple effect of helping families in need. She also shares the innovative work at Family Promise, from keeping families together to partnering with churches for shelter solutions.