Over the last week, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Streets Dept has partnered with Broad Street Ministry, ​Mural Arts Philadelphia​, ​HAHA MAG, and four regular Streets Dept artists to create and install a series of eye-catching and informative hand washing stations around the city of Philadelphia.

While there’s much we’re still learning about the 2019 novel coronavirus and how it spreads, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintains that two of the best measures anyone can take to help protect themselves from contracting the virus is: 1) Keeping a distance of about 6 feet from others, and 2) Washing your hands regularly.

In an effort to promote these effective safeguards and offer those who might otherwise have difficulty finding the resources to wash their hands regularly, we’ve installed mural hand washing stations at the following four locations: Broad Street Ministry (315 South Broad Street), 839 South Street, 2774 Kensington Avenue, and 1700 Block of East-Bound Vine Street.

The informative murals created for this project were made by (in order of there appearance in this post): Nilé Livingston, Symone Salib, Dora Cuenca, and NDA (who’s mural will be installed Friday, and I’ll update this post at that time). Starbucks and ​The Independence Foundation have funded the project, so we thank them and the artists for their help in brining this project to life so quickly.

During the spread of COVID-19, Broad Street Ministry will continue to provide life-sustaining services to vulnerable and marginalized Philadelphians. Their main facility will remain open throughout the pandemic to provide takeout meals and mail delivery for the more than 3,000 people who depend upon their services. If you have the means at this time, please consider donating to Broad Street Ministry here.

At the end of the day, we’re in this together. We’re either all able to access the resources that can keep us safe and healthy, or none of us are safe and healthy. And that’s true whether there’s a pandemic or not.

Click the names of the following artists to be taken to some of their past installations around Philly: Nilé Livingston, Symone Salib, Dora Cuenca, and NDA!