Organization Details:

Our mission is to catalyze change in inner-city schools and neighborhood facilities though the power of color and collaboration. We not only transform the space but the people who use them as well. We do this through our Paint Club and COLOR Club programs which train at-risk students the marketable skill of commercial painting

Description and/or History:
We transform public spaces in neglected schools and neighborhood facilities through the powers of vibrant color and organized collaboration. Our thoughtful designs with color create visual order in often chaotic spaces energizing the people and bringing a sense of calm through this visual landscape. Publicolor involves at-risk students in painting a transformation junior highs, high schools, and community sites through our school-based, staff-led Paint Club and COLOR Club programs. These initiatives have dramatically affected the lives of over 100,000 at-risk students creating leaders and motivating previously disengaged students to stay in school and go on to lead productive lives as young adults.

The Paint Club is an after school program in which students learn commercial painting skills and through the power of color and collaboration transform their dreary, ordinary looking schools into ones that are energized and feel special.

After painting their own schools, some of our Paint Club students join our apprenticeship program, the COLOR (Community of Leaders Organizing Revitalization) Club. In Color Club, students hone their painting skills and attend weekly tutoring sessions and career exposure workshops.

Since our founding in 1996 by Ruth Lande Shuman, Publicolor has involved at-risk students in painting a transformation in 63 junior high and high schools and 65 community sites through our school-based, staff-led Paint Club and COLOR Club programs.

Since 1997 Publicolor has transformed 61 underserved public schools, positively affecting 60,000 students and teachers.

Publicolor was awarded the President's Service Award in 2000 given by the Points of Light Foundation. This is the nation's highest honor for volunteer service!

Contact person: Volunteer Department, (212) 213-6121, (email)

Address:

149 Madison Ave, Suite 1201 New York, NY 10016 (See a map)