A group of Crown Heights high school students is trying to change their community this summer—by creating a 14 by 100 foot mural near Brower Park.
The students have been working with professional artists through the Groundswell Community Mural Project to send a powerful message to passersby: local teens won’t tolerate gun violence.
“Working on this mural has been an inspirational experience, and can only be the beginning of positive change in the community,” said sixteen-year-old Urantia Ramirez, a student at El Puente Academy for Peace and Justice. “I’m working on this to be able to complete something positive with my art.”
Across the City this summer, young people are giving back to their communities, answering a call to service from both President Obama and Mayor Bloomberg.
In Flatbush, almost 400 student volunteers showed up for the Make a Difference Fair at PS 269, where they decorated mugs for local firefighters. And at a community garden in East Harlem, students are learning about nutrition and growing their own vegetables through a program with Concrete Safaris, an organization that allows children in urban areas to try outdoor activities.
“It's been a great way to bring city kids outdoors,” said Mac Levine, executive director and founder of Concrete Safaris. “The students are exercising, working as a group, learning about nutrition, and gaining a real sense of ownership over the project.”
Under the Mayor’s NYC Service initiative, all public schools will offer students the opportunity to participate in community service projects starting this fall.
“Our young people are not only our leaders of tomorrow. They are valuable assets to our local and global communities today,” said Maggie Jones, the executive director of Children for Children. The non-profit organization currently works with about 90,000 students across New York City. “Through education and action, students can gain the tools they need to make a difference at home and around the world.”
Students said helping their communities has introduced them to new people and new experiences.
“I’ve never been on a farm before this summer,” said 15-year-old Tyrena Davis, who is involved in the community garden project. “Before coming here, I didn’t really think about vegetables growing out of the dirt. Now I can see it happening with my own eyes.”