University of Dayton student and mural artist Michelle Tucek had been interning with Dayton’s East End Community Services when she learned of the project and decided to be a part of it and encourage fellow students to do the same.
The 21-year-old Tucek, a junior studying secondary catholic religious education, said that theme of the mural was childhood and friendship.
“I think they are so formative to a person,” she said.
Working alongside the UD students were volunteers from Daybreak Dayton.
Eric Gammarino, activities coordinator for Daybreak Dayton, said that he was approached by the Daybreak housing director about creating an all-intensive activities program for the youth at the center. A few weeks later he said he received an e-mail about a possible collaboration with East End Community Services and learned about a DGTF clean-up project and later the mural project.
“Not surprisingly, clients and staff alike have loved the idea since the moment it was presented and, as a result, have continued to express an ongoing interest in beautifying Dayton,” said Gammarino.
With Daybreak’s primary focus being homeless and runaway youth, Gammarino said clients often come to them without a strong understanding of what it truly means to be a part of a community. He believes that collaboration with projects such as DGTF show clients that a community values youth and their potential to contribute.
“We hope that our clients gain a better understanding of what it means to be in a caring neighborhood,” said Gammarino.
To learn more about the DGTF, Daybreak Dayton and volunteer opportunities visit their websites at www.daytongraffititaskforce.org/ and www.daybreakdayton.org/.
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