Following this year’s Extraordinary Give, there will be a new mural beautifying the streets of Lancaster city. In conjunction with the Nov. 20 event, artist Maria Tomassetti will be painting the mural at Hillrise Apartments as part of Revolution Lancaster’s ExtraGive fundraising efforts.
“Grow with what you got!” – @m_ssetti We’re here documenting the mural process. Photos by @jeremyhess_ of @premisestudio
Posted by revolution.lancaster on Friday, November 20, 2020
The theme of the mural is “Revolution of the Heart” and depicts a woman’s heart transforming from stone into a bouquet of colorful flowers. PPG Paints donated the paint and supplies.
“Revolution Lancaster appealed to Hillrise Mutual Housing Board of Directors and Management in that they are giving needed hope and purpose to the homeless women here in Lancaster,” says John Suarez of Hillrise Apartments in southeastern Lancaster. “We at Hillrise are here to provide housing to low-income families and this is an activity that we are proud to be in partnership with.”
Revolution Lancaster offers transitional employment through jewelry making to local women experiencing homelessness, specifically those in temporary housing at Water Street Mission or YWCA Lancaster. Workshops are held every week where Revolution’s makers handcraft jewelry that is sold at local retailers and online. Each participant typically leaves the workshop with between $10-$40 in cash. Childcare is provided during workshops; sometimes, this is the only opportunity the women get time for themselves in any given week.
Although most of the women in Revolution’s programs are experiencing homelessness, there are other barriers that hinder a woman from returning to the workplace like abuse, trauma, disability and mental health. Suarez says he is excited about the awareness the mural will bring to the issues affecting homeless women in Lancaster.
In view of the increase of those who have lost their homes this year, Revolution Lancaster is aiming to raise $30,000 during ExtraGive this year. This money will allow Revolution to train more women from local homeless shelters to create meaningful jewelry, which, in turn, helps the women gain confidence and hope for their future while building connections within their community.
Donate to Revolution Lancaster’s ExtraGive campaign here or shop their jewelry collection here. For continued updates on the mural’s progress, visit their Facebook and Instagram.
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