YMCA Youth & Family Services Community Art Project blooms in North Park

YMCA Youth & Family Services (YFS), the social services department of the YMCA of San Diego County has unveiled a set of three, large-scale community focused murals. On the outside walls of the YMCA Youth & Community Center in the heart of North Park, at 2929 Meade Ave.
A generous award from the National Endowment for the Arts funded the project. The creation of the murals was done in collaboration with San Diego-based nonprofit organization, A Reason to Survive (ARTS) and was facilitated by ARTS Creative Director, Rob Tobin.
ARTS is dedicated to healing, inspiring, and empowering children facing life challenges by providing free innovative arts-based programs, education, and opportunities. Over 20 YMCA youth participants ages 8 -17 were able to participate in the entire mural process including research, design, painting and completion.
“These youth have had the incredible opportunity to work with an inspiring artist to create a long-lasting piece of this community,” said Mike Osoff, community collaborations project director, YMCA Youth & Family Services. “We know these murals will catch the eye of those passing by and will hopefully encourage them to get involved with our programs and their community.”
Serving San Diego since 1970, YMCA Youth & Family Services reaches 40,000 community members each year through 16 community programs including prevention of teenage pregnancy, substance abuse and gang involvement. For more information visit yfs.ymca.org.
The YMCA of San Diego County is the second largest YMCA in the nation serving hundreds of thousands of San Diego residents and employing more than 4,000 people. Through a variety of programs and services focused on the holistic development of children and youth, family strengthening, and health and well-being for all, YMCAs unite men, women and children of all ages, faiths, backgrounds, abilities and income levels. For more information visit ymca.org.