Media Advisory: Wilkinsburg Students Decorate Municipal Building and Share Wishes for Their Community

Event Inspired by Carnegie Mellon's Hear Me Project

Contacts:  Byron Spice / 412-268-9068 / bspice@cs.cmu.edu
Ryan Hoffman / 412-805-8480 / hoffman.ryan8@gmail.com

Event: Two dozen elementary, middle and high school students from the Wilkinsburg School District will decorate the Wilkinsburg Municipal Building and a tree at the historic Wilkinsburg train station as part of an ongoing community service project. Each of the students will contribute to a 6-foot-wide "Wilkinsburg Wish" banner that will include their hopes for positive changes in the community. The banner will hang in the Municipal Building throughout the holiday season.

The event was inspired by stories that students shared with the Hear Me Project, a youth voice program based at Carnegie Mellon University's CREATE Lab. In May, a group of elementary school students from Wilkinsburg worked with Hear Me, recording their concerns about litter, violence and lack of pride in their community. To listen to the inspirational stories, visit http://www.hear-me.net/portfolios/12. The event is hosted by Wilkinsburg City Council, Wilkinsburg School District and Hear Me.

When: 9 - 11:30 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 1.

Where: Wilkinsburg Municipal Building, 605 Ross Avenue, Wilkinsburg

###