“Eric, what is it going to say when you’re finished painting,” Communities in Schools (CIS) Chief Executive Officer Taryn Collinsworth asked one of students standing along and at various heights of the wall, paint brushes in hand.

Without hesitation, he replied: “You can literally come back from anything. It’s all about ya mindset.”

The words are a quote from one of the students’ favorite hip hop stars, Rod Wave, and they selected it specifically to be part of a mural they were installing on the walls of the CIS room at the end of the hall at the SOAR Academy on Riverside Drive. It’s here among these walls and beneath the mural that students meet with their mentors and as a group on a weekly basis.

“What I saw them do was pick a quote about coming back from mistakes, and to hear them take accountability is pretty amazing,” says Collinsworth.

About 10 students are working with Erin Hawkins of Mama Hawk Draws on Fridays for the mural installation, but it’s more than just painting. They are learning a whole new set of skills they can use later in life, and learning how art can be part of the change in a community and in people’s lives.

“We wanted to show them that art could be a career, and we discussed what types of jobs that could mean for them,” says Collinsworth. “This gives them the skills that will help them be productive, rather than searching for ways to use their talents in other ways.”

“I love these kids; it’s been one of my best projects in a while,” says Hawkins. “Each kid brought their own energy to this.”

They had to come up with different designs, develop a business plan, and then present their pitches to Collinsworth, CAO Amanda Irons, and Empowerment Coach Vashun Tobler. The design that would be uplifting and fit the mission of the CIS classroom. The team picked one, and the students got to work. 

“You don’t want too much paint on your brush.” 

“Since you have a smaller brush, let’s focus here and we’ll get you a bigger brush in a minute.” 

Hawkins oversees the project, offering gentle guidance and redirection, all while the students laugh, poke mild fun at each other, and sing/rap their favorite lyrics. The mood in the room is light but productive as the mural steadily comes together.   

“Erin has been really great with the,” Collinsworth beams. “They truly love her.” 

“I made the blue eel especially for you,” Hawkins tells one student of an addition to the design she added based on his conversations with her the previous week. You can see he’s a bit stunned at the attention, but then he begins to grin.  

Though there’s a drop cloth, the inevitable bit of paint hits the ground or a part of the wall not in the mural, and CIS staff quickly move in behind the students to clean up. No one complains, no one chides…it’s a team effort to make the students’ vision a reality.  

“This has truly been a profound experience,” Collinsworth says watching, pride obvious in her eyes.  

The students have loved it so much – and it’s been so beneficial for them – that she pulls aside anyone who will listen to talk about her vision for the next wall…and everyone who hears it loves it. It won’t be revealed here, but the idea will be to provide inspiration to any student or adult who walks in the doors based on the successes of previous students.  

“They have already shown so much growth throughout this project,” says Hawkins. “Watching each of them take the lead in different aspects has been incredibly rewarding. By the time we finish the mural, these students will have gained more than artistic skills—they will have learned the power of working together toward a common goal.” 

With media in the room on the fifth week of the program, several of the students eagerly agreed to be interviewed. They were poised and confident, answering the reporters’ questions with ease. Most importantly, though, you could hear the pride in their voices as they talked about their mural and what it means to them.  

CIS received a $30,000 grant from the Macon Violence Prevention (MVP) program to enhance academic success by providing holistic support that empowers students to envision and pursue promising futures. This project was funded with part of that grant money. CIS has also worked with U Create Macon to teach students bike maintenance skills and how to use a bike safely.