Diversity Murals on Rivergreenway - Friday, October 19, 2007

FORT WAYNE (Oct. 16, 2007) – Local elementary, middle and high school students gathered along the Rivergreenway Oct. 16 to unveil three murals they created to celebrate diversity.

The murals are a project of United Way of Allen County’s Diversity Cabinet and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne. The partnership between United Way and the Boys & Girls Clubs is the first of its kind in the nation.

“We are thrilled with these murals," said Willa Starks, diversity cabinet chair. "I was impressed with the many innovations used to reflect unique differences among sizes, shapes, genders and viewpoints. The beauty of diversity is reflected in these excellent projects. We are very proud and most appreciative of every student's participation in this competition. The murals are simply beautiful."

The murals were painted at the Boys & Girls Club, 2609 Fairfield Ave., with help from two St. Francis University art students and a $3,000 grant from the Salon Foundation. United Way’s Diversity Cabinet sponsored a design competition last spring and received more than 200 entries from students at South Wayne, Fairfield and Kekionga elementaries, as well as Portage Middle School and North Side and South Side high schools.

Members of United Way’s Diversity Cabinet judged the designs and the painting took place throughout the summer.

“United Way of Allen County is a community leader in celebrating diversity,” said Tamyra Kelly, United Way’s director of diversity and inclusion. “Our Diversity Cabinet is involved not just in this mural project, but in everything from recruiting members to serve on non-profit boards to providing diversity training for local non-profits. Diversity and inclusion is in every fabric of United Way’s work, from finance to marketing to resource development. United Way is committed to diversity and inclusion to improve lives in this community.”

The mission of United Way’s Diversity Cabinet is to create a diverse environment that fosters broad-based volunteer representation and encourages individuals to share their talents, abilities, and interests to care for one another without regard to race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or sexual orientation.

United Way of Allen County works to build a stronger community by addressing the needs of people in the most effective manner possible and providing lasting change. Through the generosity and shared concern of the community, United Way secures resources to help support more than 70 services across Allen County. United Way priorities are services that improve success in school, promote family stability and meet basic needs while integrating diversity and inclusion efforts.

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Contact:
Rick Farrant, Director of Marketing & Communications, 422-4776 or rickf@uwacin.org
Mary M. Tyndall, e-Communications Coordinator, 422-4776 or maryt@uwacin.org