Growing cause
Close to Home has secured grant money to expand its teachings to Brockton, Martha’s Vineyard and Metro West. For more information, visit
www.c2home.org.
Updated 00:19, August the 22nd, 2008
Mural team paints a positive message
Things are looking a bit brighter at the Fields Corner MBTA station these days. And if the message being put on display by a group of Boston youths gets through, brighter days will follow for the neighborhood.
A mural designed to raise awareness of domestic violence is near completion on a massive stretch of concrete at the station. The vibrant design — which showcases daily social interactions that can help prevent domestic violence — is being painted by artists aged 15 to 21 who are working this summer with Close to Home, a non-profit that explores the root causes of domestic violence in the community.
“All the images they have painted showcase healthy relationships,” said Heather Benjamin, a community organizer with Close to Home.
In one scene, two girls hold cell phones at the ready in case they need to make an urgent call. In another, area residents discuss matters over coffee. And in a third, residents play soccer as part of a healthy lifestyle that can help lessen the risks involved with domestic violence.
With graffiti an issue at the station, the MBTA jumped at the chance to host the mural, and even offered up the expansive wall aside the station as a canvas. It will be finished with an anti-graffiti coating.
“We hope this mural will encourage community residents and neighborhood organizations to take action and work jointly to address the problem [of domestic violence],” said MBTA General Manager Dan Grabauskas.
Domestic violence homicides in Massachusetts have spiked in recent years. There were 19 in 2005, 31 in 2006 and 55 last year, according to officials.