House of the Living greenhouse in Montgomery County honoring victims of gun violence

SWARTHMORE, Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- An old greenhouse in Montgomery County is bringing new life to the families of those who have lost loved ones to gun violence.

The project is a collaboration between Swarthmore college students, the EMIR Healing Center and Farmer Jawn that helps the community in more ways than one.

At first glance, it's a 1,400 square greenhouse, but its actually what's being called a House of the Living.

Each glass panel has a picture, which tells a story of Philadelphia's gun violence.

"The crisis in Philadelphia, there's really nothing like this," said Ron Tarver, Associate Professor of Art at Swarthmore College.

Tarver came up with the idea during the height of the pandemic.

"The idea just occurred to me. What would happen if we etched portraits of gun violence victims into the glass, with the idea that the light shining through would nurture the plants inside," he said.

With the help of some students, who made 3D models to etch the portraits onto the glass, the project took off.

They partnered with the EMIR Healing center in Germantown, who helped connect them with families who lost loved ones. The goal was to remember the victims for how they lived, not for how they died.

And for Chantay Love this is personal.

"I'm one of those siblings who lost a sibling," she said "We have to create safe spaces that are holistic and trauma informed around it."

The community also benefits from the greenhouse in more ways than one because the food grown inside also feeds people in marginalized communities.

"As farmers, we create life," said Christa Barfield, CEO and Founder of Farmer Jawn. "Were able to plant in their name and also feed the city in their name. Theres nourishment and healing in that."