Spring to Service: Beers Elementary School

An Afternoon Helps Transform the Landscape of a School

It was one of those rare, truly spring days in Washington, D.C. when the sun is shining, it’s not too hot, and everyone wants to take advantage of the perfect weather. Several CapitalSource staff, friends, and family did just that on April 18, 2009, when they gathered at Beers Elementary School in Southeast, D.C. and helped transform the school’s landscape and reiterate the company’s commitment to the surrounding community.

The group of 29 spent the afternoon painting murals and planting flowers in an effort to beautify Beers Elementary School, which serves 320 three-year-olds through 5th graders, 61% of whom are from low-income families. The event was organized by City Year, whose mission is to unite young people of all backgrounds and give them the skills and opportunity to change the world over the course of a year of full-time service. City Year’s work takes various formats one of which is physically transforming community schools and neighborhoods. With the help of City Year, as well as other volunteer companies, CapitalSource employees made a difference to Beers Elementary and the surrounding neighborhood. “Upon arriving to school on Monday morning," Jacqueline Simms said, "faculty, staff and students alike were in awe of the beautiful artistic murals and courtyard garden.”