(Ithaca, N.Y., September 6, 2024) – On Thursday, August 29, 2024, to commemorate the conclusion of National Immunization Awareness Month, Tompkins County Whole Health (TCWH) hosted a gathering at the “COVID-19 Community Resilience Mural”, located along the Albany St. side of the Human Services Annex building at 214 W. Martin Luther King Jr./State St., Ithaca. This event brought together partners from our local healthcare system, higher education institutions, community agencies and county administration to celebrate the mural’s completion and advocate for continued partnership in county-wide vaccination efforts.
The event offered an opportunity for community partners to reflect on their partnership and efforts during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. A video documenting the process of the mural was launched during this event. This video, created by Shira Evergreen of Uplifted Ithaca, incorporates visuals of the mural’s development along with interviews featuring staff from TCWH and Tompkins County Office for the Aging, and Ithaca Murals. Millicent Clarke-Maynard, retired Ithaca City School District teacher who was featured in the mural, gives an interview describing her vaccination hesitancy and why she felt it was important to be a part of this project.
The event included introductory remarks from TCWH Commissioner Frank Kruppa, followed by statements from mural honoree Millicent Clarke-Maynard and Ithaca Mural’s Director Caleb Thomas.
Frank Kruppa stated, “This mural illustrates all that we have overcome together as a community. It also reminds us of the things we must do to keep one another healthy and safe. The COVID-19 vaccine has recently been updated for this fall/winter season, and it is essential that we get this vaccine to reduce our risk of severe illness and hospitalization.” Kruppa continued, “We wanted to memorialize the lives that our community lost during the pandemic with part of this mural. The artists thoughtfully included candles in their memory. I’ve already heard from community members who lost a loved one that the mural resonates for them, I hope this public art inspires everyone who sees it to think of the lives we can save through public health.”
Millicent Clarke-Maynard stated, “I was so afraid to be vaccinated, but I knew it was important. I lost a loved one during the pandemic and I wouldn’t wish that pain on anyone. I am honored to have been selected to be a part of this mural, to represent our community and older adults. I hope that everyone will stop by the Human Services Annex to see this beautiful artwork!”
Caleb Thomas stated, “The opportunity to use art to highlight public health messaging was an honor to be a part of. I am so thrilled with how this mural turned out and hope that the community will connect with the message of hope, resilience and togetherness that the artists brought to life on this wall.”
The video can be found on the Tompkins County YouTube page at: http://www.youtube.com/@tompkinscountyny496
For more information on COVID-19 Vaccination, please visit our website at: https://tompkinscountyny.gov/health/covid19vaccinefaq
For more information about Ithaca Murals, please visit: https://www.ithacamurals.com/
Tompkins County Whole Health envisions a future where every person in Tompkins County can achieve wellness. Find us online at TompkinsCountyNY.gov/health, and follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/TompkinsWholeHealth and on Twitter at @TCWholeHealth. Get Whole Health updates or other county announcements via email or text, sign up here.
Media contact: Shannon Alvord, salvord@tompkins-co.org
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