Addressing Poverty and Homelessness in Toledo

                         Artists:  Nate Masternak and Ben Miller

 People experiencing poverty and/or homelessness in the Toledo area shared their insights regarding the impact of their experiences on the human spirit.  While they spoke about being touched by the compassion and support of some individuals, they also described the consistent assault on their spirits.

There remains a need, they felt, for the public to address the largely unspoken realities of poverty and homelessness in local areas and for people to connect across class as human beings.  HVTA, under the leadership of local artist, Terry Burton, met with area artists to discuss the project and to solicit sketches for a proposed mural.   Monroe Street, Toledo's Avenue of the Arts was a perfect site for installing this Community HeARTbeats mural.

Dan Rogers, the Executive Director of the Cherry Street Mission Ministries, which is located on the corner of Monroe and 17^th Streets, was enthusiastic about the idea of painting murals on the exterior walls of the Cherry Street building.

In consultation with the HVTA staff, local artist, Nathan Masternak created three sketches.  The murals,  painted by Nathan and another young artist, Ben Miller Rios—co-founders of Artivism, were unveiled on Saturday, September 8^th, 2007.

These murals are intended to prompt public introspection, dialogue and action around issues related to poverty and homelessness in the Greater Toledo area.