BY PAINTING WALLS, THEY OPEN DOORS

Recruitment of poor kids by the armed services. The journeys of immigrant mothers. How clean drinking water gets to our homes.

These are just a few of the topics depicted in vivid, stirring murals in poor neighborhoods of the city. Sponsored by Groundswell Community Mural Project, they've been created by disadvantaged young people, many of whom have had brushes with the law.

In Brooklyn, young people face special challenges - high drop-out rates, crime, gang membership, unemployment. They often feel powerless and voiceless - and too often, they give up. But by creating murals in teams, kids learn the power of self-expression, and how communities can band together to make a difference.

Murals that Change Neighborhoods and Transform Lives

Groundswell brings disadvantaged young people together with professional artists. Each mural is conceived and executed by a team of eight to 15 students. Teams conduct extensive research into their subjects, visiting libraries and interviewing local residents. They create preliminary designs and learn how to translate them proportionately to the large canvasses of neighborhood buildings.

One recent mural helped motivate the city Department of Transportation to implement long-sought after traffic safety changes following several pedestrian deaths.

Since its inception, Groundswell has served nearly 400 young people each year and more than 100 murals have been created. It has expanded its offerings to include after-school and summer employment programs.

With community art, Groundswell is not only giving new perspectives to the kids who create them, but to all who see them. That's why the Catalog is proud to provide funding to help more kids participate.