Graffiiti really does hurt a community, and some San Antonio afterschool students are fighting back through a Service-Learning project.

Earlier this year, students in the 21st CCLC  Learning Tree afterschool program at Valley Hi in Northside ISD, launched a campaign against the increasing amount of unpleasant graffiti polluting the walls of their community. During an eight week afterschool course, 4th and 5th graders studied graffiti and its negative effects on the community. The students participated in a curriculum offered by Keep America Beautiful called “Graffiti Hurts” (see below for more information).

As a closing demonstration for this Service-Learning project, the program students collaborated with the office of District 4 City Councilman Richard Perez to paint a mural at a graffiti site across the street from Valley Hi Elementary. Forty-five students gathered on a spring Saturday along with their families, school staff members, and Councilman Perez to paint a colorful mural depicting doves, a peace sign, happy children, and a clean river and community.  Learning Tree Program Specialist Carrie Rios called the mural a “symbol of peace, community pride, and beautification” and that indeed is what it was. The project was entirely funded by donations from the San Antonio community. The event was also featured in the San Antonio Express-News, enhancing public awareness of the benefits of afterschool programs.

About the Graffiti Hurts Program:
Graffiti Hurts® - Care for Your Community is a grassroots community education program. It was developed in 1996 by Keep America Beautiful, Inc. through a grant from The Sherwin-Williams Company, maker of Krylon® brand paint.
The Graffiti Hurts® Program is dedicated to raising awareness about the harmful effects of graffiti vandalism on communities. At the heart of the Graffiti Hurts® Program are four goals:

1. Educate citizens about the importance of graffiti prevention and abatement.
2. Provide communities with tools and resources to respond to graffiti vandalism.
3. Help foster partnerships that will encourage involvement from all members of the community in addressing graffiti vandalism.
4. Help communities establish anti-graffiti programs that get results, creating healthier, safer, and more livable comunities.

The Graffiti Hurts® Program helps communities initiate local graffiti prevention activities, and educate youth and adults about the impact of graffiti vandalism. To do this, the Graffiti Hurts® web site contains all the tools communities need to begin graffiti education, prevention, and clean-up. Individuals and communities can also order a Graffiti Hurts® DVD and poster. Learn more.

Lessons Available for Download:
Graffiti Hurts® has created two new lessons to help teach students in grades 5-8 about graffiti vandalism.
"Graffiti Prevention: Lights, Landscape, Access," teaches the concept of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (or CPTED) and how it can be used to prevent graffiti vandalism. Download lesson here.

"Get a Clue About Graffiti," is a fun way for students to learn and test their knowledge about graffiti vandalism, its impact on the community, and the best ways to prevent and remove it. Download lesson here.