Three painting students share something in common. They were all on summer break and chose to spend three days a week during those break weeks applying more than 100 gallons of paint to the entire exterior of the Northside Child Development Center in Minneapolis. Along with their instructor, they caulked up many cracks, set up scaffolds and ladders, brushed, rolled and sprayed the building until it gleamed white, much to the delight of families and staff. It gave the students experience with scaffolds, lifts and techniques but they contributed grit, determination and a professional attitude. “It looks better than it’s looked in thirty years…it’s nice to have the exterior of our building be as bright as the promise and potential of our students!” said Mary T. Bachman, Director of Catholic Charities of St Paul and Minneapolis. This was a volunteer project with the IUPAT Humphrey Job Corps pre-apprenticeship program, the United Way and Catholic Charities. While they worked, the crew wore “Live United” t-shirts honoring the 100th Anniversary of United Way.
[Photos clockwise: (1) IUPAT instructor John Kaiser, students Eh Kai, Mian Din, Aung Lay (2) Aung Lay using a sprayer and (3) Eh Kai setting up his ladder.]