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Artwork For Prison Walls: A Girl Scout’s Vision

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June 1, 2012

This Briarcliff teen who loves to paint hopes to bring smiles to children of incarcerated mothers.

Accomplishment: Working toward the Girl Scout Gold Award by creating a project that brings artwork to the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility for Women.

Key to Awesomeness: Zimmerman was contemplating a project for her Girl Scout Gold Award, the honor that will culminate 11 years of scouting for the ambitious eleventh grader.

She said she wanted to combine her love of painting with her desire to design a project that would help women in unfortunate circumstances.

Previously for her Silver Award, she and her troop collected clothing and school supplies for teen mothers trying to get their GEDs.

“I was so inspired to help women push past what society thinks they are capable of doing,” she said. “And I got the idea to donate art to the prison because every year at Christmas time, my church (St. Theresa’s) does a present drive to give to the kids of the moms who are there."

Zimmerman worked with art classes at her school and she and the students ultimately created 50 pieces of kid-friendly artwork to adorn the walls of the main visiting area, the children’s center and the nursery at the prison. Mickey Mouse, Sponge Bob, Elmo and many other beloved characters are featured in the colorful paintings.

The 16-year old Girl Scout believes her project, entitled “Painted Presents,” will have a dramatic effect on the residents at the facility and its children.

To read more about this inspiring teen click here.