My Nonprofit Reviews

This past summer (2009), I was invited to a dedication ceremony in Harlem for one of the Groundswell murals. I had recently been asked to become a member of the Board of Directors and wanted to understand a little more about the organization before I made the commitment to be on the board. After the ceremony, I had the opportunity to meet one of the parents of a young woman who was a participating artist. I asked the mom about her feelings on Groundswell and her daughter's experience. My questions immediately brought tears to her eyes. She grabbed my arm and began to tell me how she felt, prior to Groundswell, that she was losing her daughter to the streets. Her daughter (about age 15 at the time) starting hanging out with the wrong crowd, was neglecting her studies and generally being disrespectful. She spoke of her feelings of desperation and helplessness. She didn't know what to do. "I felt I was losing her." When the Groundswell opportunity came along, she encouraged her daughter to participate. As she described the impact, her eyes light up and more tears began to flow. She struggled to speak. She described her daughter's attitude shift. It was as if there was a full 180 degree turn. Her daughter started to pay greater attention to her schoolwork, spoke of wanting to attend college, build a career and generally take charge of her own future. I remember the tears that came to my eyes and the realization that I had found the right organization to support. It occurred to me that giving a child the opportunity to be on a team of peers that creates and executes a plan to transform their community throught art is a very powerful and unique experience. Children in under represented communities do not have many of these opportunities. This realization came to me through the words and tears of a mother who felt helpless one day and proud the next. I joined the board that fall and plan to be actively involved in Groundswell helping young adults take charge of their lives. I am very honored to be a part of the organization. I am very proud of the work of Groundswell.

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