WACO, Texas (KWTX) – When you drive through Downtown Waco, The Hangar used to blend in—just a steel structure.
Now, it’s impossible to miss: a bright, bold new mural stretches across the side of the building, painted by students from Rapoport Academy.
Over the past three weeks, the students have spent hours each morning working together to bring the design to life.
The mural was created to reflect The Hangar’s mission of serving Waco’s unsheltered community, while also sharing a message to the public that everyone is valued and welcome.
The colorful piece features people owners Laurie and Dusty Kirk know well from around the community—faces that represent the relationships built through the organization’s work.
“Something really important for us is that they get recognized as people, not as homeless and that’s kind of what this mural was about and it’s the way we do our mission here just to make them feel like friends and hopefully it begins the end of homelessness for them,” Dusty Kirk said.
Organizers say the mural project is expected to wrap up soon.
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