A library renovation. New, colorful, inspiring murals. Improved outdoor seating. These are just a few of the projects that took place during the 2017 Workday at Wilmington Middle School STEAM Magnet thanks to Sharefest sponsor Phillips 66 and an incredible group of volunteers.

A longtime partner with Sharefest, Phillips 66 understands the value of engaging with and giving back to the community in which they work. This generous organization not only provided funds to support this project and others, but also brought a group of energetic employees to volunteer their skills and expertise to help see these projects to fruition during Workday on May 6.

“Sharefest and Phillips 66 work well together because our values align of safety, honor, and commitment, and we work together and collaborate within the community to make a difference,” shared Janet Grothe, public affairs manager for Phillips 66 Los Angeles Refinery.

Two additional groups were key players in this site. Harbor Christian Center helped with advanced preparation of the site, making sure everything was ready to go for a successful day. And a dedicated group of 45 volunteers from the center joined in on Workday to complete the projects.

Sharefest’s Youth Leadership Council (YLC) was also instrumental in the success of the project. As a service learning project, the YLC students took ownership of planning, preparing, and executing the renovation of the main library, which had not been updated since the 1970s. Upgrades included deep cleaning, painting, new furniture, and installation of a new stage for open mic nights. To make all this possible, the students began plans five months ahead of time, and their hard work and intentional planning paid off to create a beautiful place for Wilmington students to study and connect.

To complete the upgrades at the campus, two STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) bungalows were deep cleaned, painted, and prepared for the installation of new furniture; five STEAM-themed murals were installed, highlighting the important contributions of Latino scientists; and a large planter with built-in benches was added to the courtyard to provide shading and seating for outdoor classroom use. Together, these updates create fresh spaces to support students as they learn.

As one participant said, “No gender, no age, no color lines…just everyone working for one common goal.” Sharefest is proud to partner with Phillips 66 and the community to bring such a beautiful expression of community care to Wilmington Middle School.