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Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern PA (DVSSP), in partnership with the Flenniken Library and Greene County Chamber of Commerce, officially unveiled the THRIVE Carmichaels mural at a recent ribbon cutting ceremony held at the library. Created by local artist Randi Stewart, the mural captures the history of the Carmichaels community, and was designed following input from people who live and work in Carmichaels.

At the ribbon cutting on Nov. 9, DVSSP Director of Prevention Alexandra Brooks and Flenniken Library Director Nicole Mitchell officially opened the mural along side local officials, DVSSP staff, and members of the Carmichaels community. In addition to Brooks and Mitchell, local officials speaking at the ribbon cutting were State Senator Camera Chatham Bartolotta, Greene County Commissioner Betsy McClure, Carmichaels Area School Superintendent Fred Morecraft, and Greene County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Melody Longsreth.

“The community input for the Carmichaels mural project served as the basis for the design of the mural, and was the most important piece to the project,” said Stewart. “We decided to focus on speaking the history and uniqueness of the town and it was very rewarding to brainstorm and listen to feedback with those who joined, as well as participate in critiques of the design as the process moved along.”

“I am so glad to have played a role in portraying the identity of Carmichaels with this mural project. It was a pleasure,” she added.

THRIVE Carmichaels and the mural project were made possible with domestic violence prevention funding from the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV). Studies have shown that when people feel more connected to their community, and when there are opportunities for social connection and engagement, there are fewer instances of all kinds of crime, including domestic violence. Every dollar of funding has been spent with local businesses in Carmichaels or Greene County where possible.

“It may seem strange that a domestic violence organization is doing a mural to prevent domestic violence, but the fact is that arts and cultural expression promotes health, it promotes physical activity, social connections and community engagement, and murals in particular can help residents feel a sense of pride and connection to their community,” said Brooks. “This mural alone will not prevent domestic violence, but it’s on every single one of us to do this together, to create safe and healthy environments where we will have safe and healthy friendships, relationships, and marriages.”

The next THRIVE Carmichaels community meeting is Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 6:00 p.m. at Fellowship Hall in Carmichaels. Everyone is welcome. For more information about the THRIVE Carmichaels, visit

peacefromdv.org/community.

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