A new mural was unveiled Wednesday at Sponsors, which provides support for people re-entering society after being in prison.
The mural depicts a man getting out of prison and the symbolic help he might find outside. It was designed by local artist Kari Johnson. Sponsors clients and volunteers helped paint it.
Hanley: "I have house painting experience from a young age and so I can stay within the lines."
Tim Hanley is a mentor at Sponsors. He says he helps men who have been in prison by providing a different model of friendship that what they might be used to. The program helps with finding work, and relearning what it's like to be in society.
Hanley: "I was told that when a person gets out of prison in Oregon they're given a bus ticket back to where they were incarcerated and told to report to their parole officer in 48 hours and that's it. My first mentee had been in prison for 25 years."
The mural is on a building next door to the Sponsor's mentorship Program. The neighbors donated their wall overlooking the garden.