Pride in the Westside

Take Pride in the West-Side

Less than a mile from downtown St. Augustine, where thousands of visitors stroll around daily, snapping photos, and riding in horse-drawn carriages is a neighborhood that’s seemingly worlds away.

In West Augustine, a predominantly African American neighborhood, a Family Dollar is one of few signs of commercial economic development, more than 90 percent of residents use septic tanks and abandoned shops dot King Street, separating the remaining storefronts in business.

Children walk on West King Street (which is the face of west Augustine) to get to school each morning, other’s pass through there to get to other parts of town. Images are important, currently the images speak of despair, neglect, and ashes. instead of current images that speak of despair & Neglect A paint-up Clean-up project would do much to foster hope, self-esteem and pride in its residents.

God has placed on my heart to organize a group of people whose purpose is to turn the current ashes of despair into a beautiful place that will offer hope, self-esteem and healing to this neighborhood (Beauty for Ashes). Our goal is to paint at least 3 structures, on west King Street depending on the amount of donations and volunteers we receive. We plan on painting at least 3 structures every 2 or 3 months, until the corridor is finished. June 5th, August 21st, October 23rd are the tentative dates for this year that we propose to do the beautification projects.

Currently we (Living Waters Ministries) are collaborating with various churches and organizations (Grace United Methodist, Compassionate Women of St. Augustine, Trinity Parish Episcopal, and others t

hat help to volunteer bi-monthly to paint the structures. We are also collaborating with Leslie Robinson, Director of Flagler College Art Department; Natalie Stephenson, Director of Graphic Design, as well as Christina Parrish Stone; Executive Director of St. Johns Cultural Council and Terra Freeman Urban and Commercial Horticulture Extension Agent, Master Gardener Program Coordinator/IFAS Extension to assist with art, murals, and landscaping along the corridor.

We have formerly named our project “Take Pride in the West-Side”, a campaign that will include artwork, murals and landscaping in various places and buildings on the corridor.

We welcome anyone that wants to roll up their sleeves and volunteer in any capacity possible to make this dream a reality.