Mission Hills Students, Art Teacher 'Give Back' with Mural for Homeless Center

News from the Homeless Services Center in Santa Cruz: 

Renowned Santa Cruz County public mural artist and middle school art teacher Kathleen Crocetti has completed a tile mural at Homeless Services Center, created with support from Mission Hill Middle School faculty, parents, and students, as well as community members, local businesses and individuals experiencing homelessness.             

The HSC mosaic, which is located on an exterior wall of the Hygiene Bay, is comprised of 624 tiles made by students at the school, as well as HSC staff, volunteers, and participants. A three-color grout system holds the tiles together in an image of a sunrise, representing a new day and new beginnings. 

Crocetti and her students decided to create the mural at HSC because of “positive, thought provoking interactions with the homeless population of Santa Cruz” during the installation of previous mosaics. 

“These accidental encounters of sincere gratitude from the homeless for our efforts to beautify Santa Cruz led to the decision to do a mural for the HSC community. It has been rewarding to work at HSC with my students and experience the joy that art can bring to people."

Project contributors include The Home Depot, Marianne’s Ice Cream, Mission Tile, Rinaldi Tile & Marble, and donations from 28 individuals. All labor for the project was donated by students, parents, HSC staff and participant volunteers, and other community volunteers. 

Reflecting on the incredible effort and dedication of her students, Crocetti remarked, “My students are so diverse, it’s impossible to describe them except to say they are the most open-minded, empathetic group of young people you’d ever like to meet. Some students are homeless, many have parents who work in agriculture, some work in technology, and still others have parents who work at the university. We have students who are second language learners and some who choose to take a second language as their elective.” 

Mission Hill Middle School Principal Valerie Quandt believes in the importance of the project because it allows students to “give back to their community…and take their creativity out into the world they live in because everyone everywhere deserves beauty. Mrs. Crocetti is also not only teaching students about art, but making public statements about impact.” 

When asked about their participation in the mural, Rinaldi Tile & Marble explained, "We believe in giving back to the community we live and work in. We are happy to provide some of the materials that Kathleen and students turn into rays of sunshine on the wall. Art is a fantastic way to brighten an otherwise dull day." 

Homeless Services Center participants and staff are thrilled with the mural, not only for its beauty, but also because they were able to participate in its creation.

 In the days since the mural was completed, Betty Scott, HSC Hygiene Bay Manager, said that many HSC participants have expressed gratitude and several have been brought to tears by the kindness this mural represents.   

Founded in 1986, Homeless Services Center (HSC) practices effective solutions that create a pathway to housing for individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Santa Cruz County. HSC strategically focuses its efforts on data-driven solutions to increase the rate at which participants end their homelessness and reduce chronic homelessness in Santa Cruz County. For additional information, contact Homeless Services Center or visit www.santacruzhsc.org.