You know that amazing feeling you get when you stumble across something wonderful and exciting that's been around for a while but you knew nothing about? And the relieved sense of encouragement you're left with; knowing that other people care about what you care about, and are doing something about it... That pretty much describes my day with PubliColor.
With Humberto- my painting buddy. He's an 11th grade student and new to the PubliColor program.
How to describe PubliColor... Hmm... Scouting-meets-afterschool program-meets- community enrichment- meets- public space beautification- meets- summer camp-meets-job training-meets-mentor program-meets-youth employment corps...ish...
With some of the Paint Club members.
From their website: "We are a founder-run, not-for-profit organization incorporated in 1996 with one mission: We use color, collaboration, design and the painting process to re-engage students in their education, schools and communities; to ultimately transform them into productive members of our workforce."
With a Paint Club member who's also involved in pageants!
PubliColor revitalizes drab and institutional-looking schools (seriously- have you ever been inside a NYC public school?) with vibrant colors and designs, believing that students learn better in a more beautiful environment (I tend to agree). But the painters themselves are students, some of whom receive a stipend, and many of whom will receive mentoring, job training, afterschool and summer programming, and financial aid for school. "From paint can to college..."
The colors were AWESOME!
