REVITALIZATION SUMMER JOBS WERE BACK IN PERSON

Our YouthWorks summer crew was busy this summer! In addition to attending field trips to universities and trade schools and participating in financial literacy workshops, the teens contributed to their community by helping prepare William Paca Elementary School for the upcoming school year and assisting with the weekly food pantry distributions.

Perhaps their most visible community impact was a 20’x10’ mural they painted with the support of our Manager of Neighborhood Programs, Andy, on the blank wall of a garage that has been a hot spot for dumping in the Ellwood Park neighborhood. Working together over five weeks, they each diligently painted a different section of the mural, which features plant leaves (poison ivy, to be specific) in bright colors to draw attention to the space and make it appear cared for (while cleverly indicating to stay away). Since the mural was completed, this area has stayed significantly trash free—a victory for the community!

Tench Tilghman Ems Goes

School leadership at Tench Tilghman Elementary/Middle School approached Southeast CDC about beautifying their outdoor spaces. With the support of many project partners and funders, we worked with school students and staff to redesign and renovate an asphalt courtyard into a