My name is Mary Elizabeth Phillips, and I have been an active member of our Historic Downtown Mansfield, Texas, community for almost 15 years. Last week, I learned that a friend (who has recently moved from Mansfield to another country) has a beloved grandson who is on the autism spectrum. His name is Isaiah, and he is 15 years old. He had sought out summer employment and was accepted into the SEAL program run through Goodwill, which matches young, neurodiverse students with summer employment opportunities. Isaiah had his summer plans arranged and was very much looking forward to his first job when the dreaded letter arrived: "Funding for this program is no longer available."

I have met with Isaiah's parents, and we agreed that he should still be able to have a summer job, even if it means that we have to 'build the airplane while we fly it.' Isaiah was scheduled to work 15 hours each week, and we will be honoring the terms of his original agreement. HOWEVER, there simply is not enough work each week for a young man to do at our tattoo shop. But that is okay, because all of Main Street can benefit from his eagerness to work and be of service (one of his family's core values is 'leadership through service' - how much do we love that?!?)

I invented an entire job for Isaiah: he will be our Main Street Ambassador. He will be joining me T-TH from 11am-3pm and Friday 11-2pm beginning June 12. We will meet each morning behind Mansfield Tattoo, where we will pick up the litter that seems to blow into our little courtyard each night, and do light tasks around the shop. I am investing in two good brooms and window washing equipment. When we finish Mansfield Tattoo, we will work our way down the block. To fill in gaps between these tasks, I plan to have Isaiah assist with any sort of morale-building projects that will serve our downtown community: painting and hiding rocks, planting and watering flowers for any business that would like pots outside their doors, scraping gum off walls, organizing and implementing a community art project... in essence: whatever the neighborhood needs in order to enhance their customers' experiences in our little shopping district. We are definitely open to your ideas!

My fundraising goal is $2600.00 - this will cover 10 weeks of Isaiah's pay, and will assist in my purchasing of needed cleaning materials as well as 'fun' projects like building planters or other installations that business owners would like to see on the block. Any amount over this goal will be rolled into our materials fee so that we can do even bigger and better projects!

I will keep a detailed ledger of how every penny is spent, and if we have any funds left at the end of the project, they will go toward some sort of community event at the end of Isaiah's tenure as 'Main Street Ambassador.' I am NOT claiming or keeping any compensation for managing this project: it will simply do my heart good to know that in uncertain times, even someone like lil' ol' me can make a small difference. One brushstroke in our community masterpiece.

Thank you for your consideration in making a contribution to this cause. Not only will we be helping a young man who very much wants to work and contribute to society, but you will also be helping with Main Street morale and collaboration!