Allentown, PA (May 26, 2023) – An eagle in flight, coming to rest on a tree stump with a message of peace, accompanied by a butterfly. These are some of the images used in a public mural project at KidsPeace’s outpatient clinic on Green Street in Allentown, PA.

KidsPeace leadership, supporters and Allentown officials gathered at the clinic on May 20, 2023 to formally dedicate the mural, saluting the artist who created the three-panel work decorating the outside of the building. Monica Salazar described her work as representing the potential of the children who find treatment and healing at the facility.

Salazar was joined in the ceremony by Allentown Mayor Matthew Tuerk, who emphasized the importance of organizations like KidsPeace in addressing the growth need for mental health care in the region. Joining the mayor and KidsPeace President Mike Slack at the dedication was Howie Meller, CEO of People First Federal Credit Union, which provided funding for the mural. Also attending was Tony DaRe, CEO of BSI Corporate Benefits, which has supported the outpatient programming offered at the Green Street clinic.

KidsPeace also announced the establishment of a garden on the Green Street property as a representation of growth and renewal for clients of the clinic. Salazar also provided artwork for the wall serving as a backdrop to the new garden. (For more information about the artist and her work, see the “Monica’s Story” segment in the KidsPeace Stories video series, at www.kidspeace.org/kidspeace-stories. )

The Green Street clinic offers outpatient and community-based therapeutic programming for kids and families, and is one of the locations at which KidsPeace provides its free walk-in assessments for children and families in crisis. Learn more at the Outpatient Services page on kidspeace.org.

Since 1882, KidsPeace has been building on its expertise to give hope, help and healing to children, adults and those who love them. Through its comprehensive range of residential treatment programs; accredited educational services; unique psychiatric hospital and foster care and community-based programs, KidsPeace is dedicated to helping people connect, transform and overcome their challenges to ensure a stable future, transition to adulthood and gain independence. Since its doors opened, nearly 300,000 children have participated in one of the multitude of programs KidsPeace offers.

For additional resources or more information on how to get involved, become a foster parent or make a donation, please visit www.kidspeace.org. Follow us at www.facebook.com/kidspeace.org or on Twitter @KidsPeace.

 

Allentown Mayor Matthew Tuerk salutes KidsPeace and artist Monica Salazar for both the mural project and the services offered at the outpatient mental health clinic on Green Street in east Allentown, during the May 20 Community Day celebration.

Mural artist Monica Salazar explains the narrative behind her work on the mural on the exterior of KidsPeace’s outpatient mental health clinic on Green Street in east Allentown.

Formally dedicating the mural to the kids and families seeking Hope, Help and Healing at the Green Street outpatient clinic: (from left) People First Federal Credit Union CEO Howie Meller, KidsPeace CEO Mike Slack, artist Monica Salazar, Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk, and BSI Corporate Benefits CEO Tony DaRe.

 

Information Provided By:
Robert Martin
Director of Communications

 

 

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