Manhattan
Inclusive Safety Mural

Created by:
Manhattan-based Artist Giannina Gutierrez & Residents of Polo Ground Houses

Over the course of several weeks, this intergenerational mural team - consisting of the artist as well as youth and seniors from the Polo Grounds Houses - met virtually to discuss what Inclusive Safety means for their community, and how to send a positive message through public art. The intergenerational nature of the group led to meaningful conversations around what it means for everyone to feel safe, regardless of identity, background, or age. 

The central themes of the mural are inclusion, belonging, unity, resilience, and hope. The silhouettes across the front side represent unity through diversity, and the sky-blue figure invites the visitors to interact with the mural by standing in its outline surrounded by the words “You Belong.” 

Other elements of the mural include the oak tree in the shape of two hands forming a heart, sending a message of resilience, wisdom, and intergenerational unity. The bright flowers and plants throughout the mural evoke feelings of peace and belonging often found in nature, and the hummingbird is a symbol of joy and resilience.

~1 Minute Mural Timelapse Video + Behind-the-Scenes Photos

Interested in seeing the other Inclusive Safety Murals?

Brooklyn - Bronx - Queens - Staten Island

Resources

If you want to learn how to be a better bystander, check out these free resources from our friends at Righttobe!:

• Sign up for a training

• Check out their Bystander Guide
  

If you are experiencing, or have experienced, domestic and gender-based violence - help is always available to you.

• You can access information and resources to help anyone experiencing dating, domestic, gender-based, or family violence, including elder abuse, by visiting www.nyc.gov/NYCHOPE, or by calling the NYC 24/7 confidential Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-621-HOPE (1-800-621-4673) or TTY 1-866-604-5350.  

• The Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence (ENDGBV) Training Team provides engaging, interactive training and technical assistance to support service providers in effectively identifying and responding to clients experiencing domestic and gender-based violence. ENDGBV tailors its trainings to meet organizational/agency staff needs. Read more about the Training Team.

• The Healthy Relationship Training Academy provides violence prevention workshops for young people ages 13-24 and staff who work with young people. Please read these FAQs and then request the appropriate Academy workshop(s).

• If you are sexually harassed or discriminated against based on a protected category under the Human Rights Law in New York City, please report this to the NYC Commission on Human Rights. Call (212) 416-0197 or fill out an online inquiry form.

• The Commission on Human Rights offers a youth leadership development program to identify human rights issues in their communities, develop solutions, and build their leadership skills.