The staff and clients at the St Vincent de Paul MSCS were so grateful to artist Jeri Brittell and PBD for their work in creating a more welcoming atmosphere in their dining room where meals are served to over 400 homeless people every day.
Since their basement dining room has no windows and a low ceiling, the mural painting created a sense of space and beauty with the 16 foot long "Peaceful Countryside View".
Lessy Benedith
Director, MSCS
St. Vincent De Paul
Multi Service Center South
Phase 1: Dining Room - Complete
Phase 2: Women's World - In Progress
San Francisco, CA
The Multi-Service Center homeless shelter is the largest homeless shelter in Northern California. It shelters, feeds and supports 340 homeless men and women every night, and provides drop-in services to 150 each day in addition to a safe place to sleep, full breakfast and dinner. The Multi-Service Center offers crisis counseling, drop-in medical care and HIV-testing, mental health and substance abuse case management, job and housing search assistance, a library and computer lab, support groups for those recovering from trauma, and emergency clothing, shower and laundry facilities.
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Donated product
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Project Highlight
Jeri spent months on her mural, adding an amazing level of detail. Stylistically, the painting is timeless, and depicts a view of the countryside – a far cry from the city streets. It was wonderful to see her make the last brush stroke! |
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PROJECT DESCRIPTION |
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In March 2007, members of the IIDA Board of Directors met with Mayor Gavin Newsom offering interior design talent and resources to renovate the homeless shelter run by St. Vincent de Paul. PBD became involved when IIDA requested our collaboration on this project.
After several team meetings with priorities set, the dining room would be part of the first phase. We brainstormed and came up with what we thought to be the most important element – a mural –a way to improve the dark basement area where the meals are served.
In the second phase PBD worked with other volunteers to renovate the Women's World Sleeping Area; also shown in these photos. We separated the sleeping area from the lounge area with laminated hanging panels to give them a space for relaxing away from where they sleep. A comfy space to watch TV, play board games, sit and have conversation. Using recycled 3-Form scraps we designed a collage in the entry way and new paint. The women's sleeping area is next to the dining room in the basement and the renovation lifted their spirits...they respect the space that gives them a home off the streets.
PROJECT SPONSORS |
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PBD | $2,000 donation from Have a Heart event
PROJECT VOLUNTEERS |
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Jeri Brittell
PRODUCT DONATED |
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Sherwin Williams | 15 gallons paint
Haas Foundation | Office furniture
Service West | Moving & storage services
Skaar Furniture | Lowenstein chairs
