Rainbow students send ‘hug’ to 305 8th Street

Art by Rainbow Elementary School students encircled 305 8th Street’s building. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON, HUNTSVILLE – An outreach project involving cross-curricular learning allowed Rainbow Elementary School students to “hug” residents at 305 8th Street.

Named for its Huntsville address, 305 8th Street is a residential facility for high-functioning adults with disabilities. Residents “can be considered to share the same needs of children, such as being reminded to do things and the overall need of feeling protected and loved,” executive director Andrea Williams said.

Williams worked with Rainbow volunteer Christa Gabby for enrichment students in grades K-2 to draw “pictures that made them feel happy.” The artwork was placed on fiber lines and wrapped around 305’s house to ‘hug’ the residents.

Williams visited Rainbow “to share my special family’s story of 305 8th Street with the children. In many ways, I talk about their similarities. I asked them, ‘Do you drive yourself to the doctor?’ and ‘Do you have to be reminded to brush your teeth?’ With these questions, I addressed that people grow bigger but sometimes will always need help.”

After Williams’ talk, the students “adorned the stacks of paper provided by 305 8th Street with images of super heroes, words of encouragement, pets, sunshine, rainbows and hearts,” Williams said.

An example of artwork by Rainbow’s kindergartners and first- and second-graders. (CONTRIBUTED)

Seeing the art strung on lines, residents “were a bit confused at first but enjoyed every minute once we got started,” Williams said. A resident named Sara said, “It’s just beautiful!” Mikey asked “How many more?”

“We were all astonished at how many pieces of art the children produced and amazed by their talent,” Williams said.

The students’ most touching pictures showed their understanding to “make others happy,” the activity’s purpose, she said.

305 8th Street always needs help from friends, such as day-to-day volunteering and household supplies, like trash bags, scrub sponges, disposable gloves and paper products. “We have an open house every day, so come and see us,” Williams said.

For more information, call 256-797-1659, email to andrea@3058thstreet.org or visit 3058thstreet.org.