A recent story from Bob Timmons of the Minnesota Star Tribune followed some of the students from the University of St. Thomas at the Family Service Center in Maplewood, where students helped children receiving shelter services paint a mural on a bare wall.
From the story:
University of St. Thomas freshman Anayaiah Mason could relate to the little boys she gently, kindly guided as they put their stamp on a new mural Saturday at a family shelter in Maplewood. ...
Now, as a sociology student whose coursework with her classmates this semester includes volunteering with families living at the Family Service Center, her part on a day of fun and calm had powerful urgency.
“Just like the same way we are giving parents a break, we are giving kids a break from the responsibility of having to deal with (homelessness) every day,” Mason said. “They want to grow up and say that they have fun memories. That they had time when they were able to breathe and be kids. That is what this is doing. Kids deserve to be kids. Parents deserve to watch their kids be kids.”
Jessica Jackson did just that. She was upbeat while she watched two of her children paint. She was busy feeding and cradling their 3-week-old sister, Jewels.
“The support of the center has brought us a long way,” said Jackson, who gave birth to Jewels at the residence. They’ve lived there for the last three months.
She said the St. Thomas students have had an impact.
Mike Klein, a St. Thomas professor of justice and peace studies, watched new art in mural form come to life Saturday, calling it a “moment of joy” for everyone involved.
“(The mural) gives voice to who they are, in a way that is not just about speaking or writing,” he said, “And then to do it not alone but together.”
Separately, the St. Thomas Newsroom spoke to some of the participating Tommies:
Roberto Padilla Ginez, a freshman in the Dougherty Family College at the University of St. Thomas describes his experience at the Family Service Center amid the mural painting saying, “It feels nice just being here, seeing everyone happy, enjoying their day, not being stressed about anything, seeing the kids everywhere, talking, everyone communicating with each other. I’m very happy I have this class and I’m happy that I’m participating.”
Arianna Gangadeen, also a freshman in the Dougherty Family College, was inspired by her experience at the Family Service Center, “I’ve never done something like this before and to do it with these kids makes me really happy. It makes me want to go into a career that helps kids.”
Claire Wick, a freshman and student of the School of Education, expressed her joy in being able to connect the kids to something great, “I am really excited to be doing this, to create a deeper meaning for these children and then also see what they added to their community.”
