ALLENTOWN, Pa. - Seniors from an Allentown high school pitched in to help a local transitional housing program.
Sixth Street Shelter in Allentown added some flair to its already colorful décor with the help of students from Building 21 High School.
- Students from Building 21 High School pitch in to help paint and organize at Sixth Street Shelter in Allentown
- The collaboration is part of a service learning project for the kids
- The project will take a day and a half to complete
The school's students on Tuesday painted words of affirmation on the doors of the apartments at the shelter and will continue for the next day and a half pitching in with work there.
The students will complete their work on Dec. 20, including getting holiday gifts ready for children who live at the shelter.
"We are here for a service learning project,” Building 21 art teacher Andrew Ward said. “So [we're] providing our students the opportunity to connect with their community, organization, give a little back and also learn and experience what's happening in the community and just ways that they can get involved.”
"Art has been found to bring communities together."Robbie Matthews, director, Sixth Street Shelter.
"I think the collaboration with the students is just a wonderful way to give back,” Sixth Street Shelter Director Robbie Matthews said. "Art has been found to bring communities together."
Student volunteer Jude-Philippe Belony was among the 12th-graders tasked with organizing food at the shelter.
“My parents raised me to, you know, always think about how other people feel and what they're going through before I jump to other conclusions," Belony said. "So it makes me feel good, knowing that I'm helping people.
“When I put myself in their shoes, I kind of just think about the kids coming down here and seeing so much food because even me, like right now, when I go home to my house there’s not really much for me to eat. So like even seeing this, I just know in their position, I'd be happy.”
Other students were asked to create works of art on the apartment doors using words of affirmation.
Senior Jorielys Ramos picked the word "perseverance."
“I feel like it could encourage people to keep going forward, even though you might be stuck in one place or what you might be going through," Jorielys said. "They could see that word and it could give them the energy to go forward.”
Matthews, the shelter director, said that, “When our families come in, if I can find a space where they can start the process of healing, and have a safe space from the time they hit the door, I've accomplished something great."
The director said she has made it her mission to incorporate colorful works of art throughout the shelter’s three locations on Sixth Street and Turner Street in Allentown and Ferry Street in Easton.
