Spring 2020 Mural Festival Sponsors

Posted on by Melinda

At Kindness Club International, we believe that we can do better for our students and teachers. We believe that we can create more positive and inspiring learning and working environments where students and staff are excited and proud to be everyday.

Unfortunately many school campuses are run down with old buildings in need of repair and repainting. Title I schools have especially high needs, usually located in areas of high stress that are often overlooked and under-served. That’s where the KCI team comes in with enthusiasm. They work with students to do leadership training, paint beautiful backgrounds, project images, and paint inspiring murals. It’s a collaboration of community and schools.

DONATE HERE and help us make a bigger difference in the lives of children and teachers!

The Grant Middle School “We are the Change” mural was a collaboration between the KCI, the school, and Fidelity Bank in August 2019. Melinda Forward worked with students who put up the background and design basics. Fidelity Bank volunteers came in and brought the mural to life with colors in just 3 hours! Facing a community park, this mural has not only transformed the school, but the neighborhood as well.

We need sponsors for our 2nd annual Spring Community Mural festival is set to begin in March. Fully funded, we will have murals going up in at least 5 schools including: Whittier Elementary School, Ernie Pyle Middle School, Governor Bent Middle School, Wilson Middle School, and Alameda Elementary School.

So, what are we looking to raise? On average, funding for each mural is between $2,500 and $7,000, depending on the size and complexity of the design. Each school has planned between 3 and 5 murals. School funding does not often allow for community service projects like ours. So, we are reaching out to our community, near and far, to make this experience possible for more than 4,000 students and teachers.

Each festival runs between 7 and 14 days with a specific time schedule so community members may attend and volunteer. All students at the school are invited to participate and the festival ends with a mural reveal and community celebration.

The KCI Community Mural Festival model began in March 2019 at Whittier Elementary School. The vision was to put in multiple large-scale murals that would give all students the opportunity to participate. They would also require community help, a way for people to make a difference at their local school. The festival engaged more than 600 people, impressive for a school with just 330 students. That was a bright beginning with 5 murals installed. This Spring, we are excited to put on finishing touches and add another mural, or two. We need your help to make this possible.

The Community Savanna and Be the Change Tree were highlights of the festival requiring many hands, large and small. The murals can be seen from the neighborhood, as well as bringing the courtyard to life. This was all done in 14 days!
The Kindness Tree is being painted by the teachers and community members. Yes. That is glitter sparkling on the tree trunk and flowers!
A local artist, Eric Z came out to help when he heard about the festival, even though he doesn’t have a student at Whittier. His talents brought more beauty to the murals and students learned that community members care about them and want to help.
On the Whittier Community Garden walls, all of the students put their hand prints as grass and they also made a flower. This festival we will make stems and add hand prints of students who weren’t there last year. Ownership and pride grow here.

Are you interested in helping schools that are often overlooked, neglected, and under-served? Consider sponsoring a mural or contributing with a donation. All contributions make a difference and will help us create better learning environments for our youth and teachers to boost performance and achievement. Contact Melinda at melindasforward@gmail.com for details.

Check out our other mural projects on our Mural Portfolio page. Read more…