East Bay Group Hopes Third Time's a Charm
April 22, 2000

	Volunteers painting Grant School

If the third time's a charm, then the paint will be just about flying onto a local elementary school next Saturday (April 28).

That's when dozens of Peace Corps alumni, neighbors and parents will make their third attempt to paint the outside of Grant Elementary School at 2400 Downer Avenue in Richmond. They hope their efforts will also send a powerful message to students. The volunteers will begin at 8:30 a.m. and continue until 4:30 p.m.

"The community is cooperating, now all we need is a little help from the weather," says Jayma Brown, a Peace Corps alumni and Richmond resident who is spearheading the effort with the North & East Neighborhood Council. The volunteers tried twice last fall to spruce up the school, but were rained out both times.

Grant is a public school on a very tight budget and with about 90% of the student body classified as very low income and low income. It is one of the biggest elementary schools in the West Contra Costa Unified School District.

Brown says it is a wonderful opportunity for everyone to show students and parents that the community cares and wants to improve the way the school looks. If it rains, the group intends to mount a clean-up effort inside the school.

North & East Neighborhood Council President Sandi Genser-Maack says the painting project is one of strategoes her organization has taken on in the last several years to help Grant Elementary and the other two schools in the neighborhood.

"This is a powerful way for everyone who cares about the welfare of our children to send a message that we're willing to help. We believe that it takes everyone to have a thriving community. We invite people to join us," Genser-Maack says.

Besides the painting project, which the school district is supporting with paint and personnel, the North & East Neighborhood Council also coordinates the "Shoes that Fit" program to buy new shoes for needy children and Project LINK, Linking the Interests of Neighbors and Kids. LINK recruits neighbors to visit the elementary school for as little as 30 minutes to talk about a hobby, trip, job or other topic.