About the Project 

While housing is globally recognized as a human right, for many Philadelphia residents it remains a dream. A Place to Call Home sheds a light on the unique housing challenges facing urban children and youth while embarking on a significant effort to equip them with the skills and resources necessary to ensure they remain healthy and housed.

Inspired by voices of homeless youth, the projects within this series include a mixed-media animation created with artist Damon Reaves, a mural and installation of youth stories cast into a paper dining room by muralist Ernel Martinez, a series of site-specific small murals designed by Shira Walinsky (produced in collaboration with her University of Pennsylvania class called Big Picture: Mural Art), and the painting of over 30 facades of homes on the 3800 block of Melon Street, led by muralist Ernel Martinez, all designed to bring the project to the art house where the installation is sited, 3828 Melon Street.

Pathway to the Art House 

A series of site-specific small murals and a temporary wheat pasted “pathway” designed to bring the project to the art house installation. Shira Walinsky, muralist

Community Mural – 3800 Block of Melon Street 

Using geometric color-blocking, the block will become a “community mural” where over 30 facades are painted to create a unifying identity. Ernel Martinez, muralist

Art House – 3828 Melon Street 

An installation that includes two mixed-media animations, a sound mural, an installation of youth stories cast into a paper dining room, and a room with housing information and resources. Damon Reaves and Shira Walinsky, mixed-media animation; Elisabeth Perez-Luna, WHYY sound mural; Ernel Martinez, paper dining room installation

WHYY Partnership 

The Power of Story, Audio Mural
Produced by Elisabeth Perez-Luna
Associate Producer, Mike Villers

For extended Newsworks coverage of A Place to Call Home, click here.