"Our club wanted a service project that would allow students to use their expressive talents while working side by side with Rotarians. "
Rock Island Rotary Partners with Youth Hope on District Service Project
The Rotary Club of Rock Island recently completed their mural and mentoring district grant service project which was a collaboration with Youth Hope, a local youth services program in Rock Island. Youth Hope provides a wide variety of services for at risk youth in our community including youth centers, community outreach, summer camps, retreats and a creative arts program, serving over 500 students every year.
Our club wanted a service project that would allow students to use their expressive talents while working side by side with Rotarians. What better way to do that than through art and transforming the exterior of their building! Many of the youth who worked on the project were part of Youth Hope’s creative arts program. Students and Rotarians were involved in the process by offering feedback, helping with the design process and adding the color to a large part of the mural.
Rotarians worked side by side with Youth Hope students, volunteers and staff, making this project a reality in less than three months. On October 18, 2022, we did a community unveiling with numerous students, Rotarians, city officials, volunteers and community members present. Funders for the project included the Rotary Club of Rock Island, Rotary District 6420, the Rock Island Community Foundation, the Rauch Family Foundation I, Modern Woodman, and the Doris & Victor Day Foundation. Johan Umano, a Muscatine-based artist, worked with the youth on all aspects of the project.
“Watching and working with these students was just incredible. The dedication and passion they exhibited with their artistic vision for the project was heart-warming. The Youth Hope “There is Hope” mural project is a great example of how our Rock Island community works together to better our community.”
Cindi Gramenz
President
Rotary Club of Rock Island