Community Mural, 

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May 2014

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What initially started as a group therapy program—Structured Psychotherapy for Adolescents Responding to Chronic Stress (SPARC)—soon transitioned into a community mural project.

 

We had to pivot our strategy when the formal curriculum was not well received by the students. We advocated for and secured an opportunity for our group of historically marginalized students to participate in their school’s mural project, from which they had originally been excluded.

 

Through focus groups and conversations, we were able to honor fallen community members and highlight the elements that these students deeply loved about their community in Englewood, on the South Side of Chicago.