Hope Grows 

Outcomes

• Creative expression with purpose: Students saw how their artistic voices communicate  scientific and ecological narratives. 

• Ownership and pride: Many youths remarked that their name or handprint in the mural  was the most meaningful moment of the project. 

• Cross-disciplinary learning: Art sessions doubled as science classes, bringing climate  education into everyday practice. 

• Inspiration for peers: The mural draws staff, visitors, and other students into dialogue  about nature, resilience, and youth voice. 

• Continuity and legacy: Because the mural can be added to and renewed, it becomes a  living chronicle of youth engagement over time.

Sustainability and Next Steps

• The mural will continue to serve as a living canvas: new cohorts of students can add  layers, interpret new climate themes, and refresh sections. 

• Mural-based lessons (e.g. soil ecosystems, pollinator cycles, climate narratives) will  remain part of curriculum integration and therapy groups. 

• We will invite community and family participation days (painting, commentary) tied to  Climate Action Days. 

• Maintenance protocols (touch-ups, protective coatings) will be scheduled annually. 

• We aim to link the mural with interpretive signage, QR codes, or augmented reality  overlays to deepen visitor engagement. 

Lessons Learned

• Weather and outdoor conditions: Rain or wind sometimes disrupted paint work— scheduling when conditions were favorable helped. 

• Coordination of large groups: Managing many youth painting simultaneously required  floor plan sketching and role assignments. 

• Material selection and durability: Choosing paints and coatings suitable for outdoor  exposure required consultation and testing. 

• Sustained upkeep: Ensuring that future cohorts feel responsible for adding and  maintaining the mural is key. 

We overcame these obstacles by planning buffer painting days, designating sections for small teams, and  selecting durable materials. We also recruited mural “ambassadors” from current youth to  mentor future participants. 

Students Involved 

• Project Leaders: Genesis, with help from Khareese (both Andrus residents), led the  project, with official mentoring from Erik Ghalib, and help and guidance provided by Andrus Staff member Dr. Argentina.

• Project Participants: Joel, Payton, Lucas, Pharaoh, Christopher and Mason (Arnwine class); Vanessa, Olivia, Asaiah, Damian, Alere and Jordan (Cassey class); Khristian,  Bentley, Dwayne, Jahir, Sincier and Trishana (Chambers class); Destiny, Cavione, Alanni, Derek and Khareese (Kolodziejcuk class); Joseph, Gianni, June, Amber, Eli, John, Joan and Kalvin (Martin class). All of these children, a mix of residents and day enrolled  students participated in the project. 

Budget Summary & Financial Report

Expense Category Spent 

Art materials / paint / murals $3,353.33 

Educational signage & displays $1,070.27 

Workshop materials $ nil 

Event supplies / unveiling $ nil 

TOTAL $4,423.60 

All receipts across both projects provided separately. Total spend across both projects is  $9,030.85, split $4,607.25 on the Green Infrastructure Demonstration Site project, and $4,423.60 on Hope Grows Mural & Educational Initiative project. 

Initial designs and layout are a team effort under the watchful eye of Genesis and Khareese.

Positioned so that everyone leaving our campus sees this mural, it is a reminder of what hope represents and our vision to grow it for everyone while ensuring we do it within a sustainable framework. The mural is a work in progress and will be added to as part of our ongoing ecology program. The mural, in various stages of completion, can and will be weather-proofed (multiple times) so that it is resilient – like our youth – against future challenges (in the case of the mural, from extreme weather).

Thank You's and Reflections 

The Hope Grows Mural stands as a testament to what youth imagination, passion, and purpose can yield. From initial sketches to bold colors, students brought nature’s hidden stories into the light, weaving together art and ecology. More than a painting – it is a conversation, a sanctuary, and a banner of hope for generations to come. Thank you, Village of Hastings-on-Hudson and Bloomberg Philanthropies, for your belief in youth-led climate action and for helping us plant this beacon of inspiration.