Art that Serves Winterm Project 2010

Press Release 2/11/10

Compass School Winter Term Serves Bellows Falls Homeless Shelter

It’s cold outside this winter, but inside the new Bellows Falls Warming Shelter, a warm glow welcomes needy community members. Located at 24 Canal Street, the shelter was established by grassroots efforts and opened on December 23, 2009 to provide food, and a safe, warm overnight shelter. Led by a group of concerned organizations and individuals in the area, including Youth Services, Parks Place, Our Place, Sevca, Rockingham Community Land Trust, Chroma and local churches, the shelter has already served over 100 meals and provided a warm, dry night’s sleep for approximately 25 people. The shelter is open every day from 7pm-7am and will remain open through the winter months until March 31^st.

The warmth at the shelter now goes beyond just heat and a welcoming face. Thanks to the efforts of a group of Compass School students, working during their Community Service Winter Term, the walls of the shelter are now covered with vibrant murals of birch trees, forest scenes and walls with fresh, clean paint in comforting colors. Led by Humanities teachers, Julia Taylor and Lauren Beigel, as well as guest artist, Aaron von Seggern, a group of thirteen students first visited the shelter to assess their needs, and then traveled to several museums to develop ideas about public art and artistic quality.  They then designed what became the murals that have livened up the shelter’s interior. After initial sketch work and discussion, the students divided up and tackled different areas of the shelter, including a bathroom, a kitchen wall, and a family sleeping area. 

This work by the students pushed them to consider ideas about social justice and community that they study in school and apply them in a real world setting.  At the same time, this work brought these students in contact with adults committed to public service. 

The shelter depends on volunteers and is hoping to attract more like these Compass students to fulfill their mission of providing a warm and welcoming home for those in need.  A benefit was held February 6^th that raised more than $700. The musicians were recruited by musician Julie Waters and donated their time and talent. There is an especially urgent need for volunteers willing to cover the 1am-7am shift at the shelter.  For more information on the shelter or to volunteer to help, please contact Samuel Neill, Shelter Coordinator, at bfwarmingshelter@yahoo.com or leave a message at 802-463-3355.