A Splash of Hope on Plum St: Why the "You Are Not Alone" Mural Still Matters
Artist Elisa Del Giudice high up on the lift, turning a sketch into a permanent landmark for our city.
It started as a splash of yellow on my daily run.
A couple of years ago, I began noticing a mural taking shape at the YMCA, just down the road from my house. I would run past it every afternoon, watching the lines and colors evolve until the letters finally became legible. Once I could read the message, I stopped running and started Googling.
I found out it was part of the You Are Not Alone Murals project.
Their mission is simple but profound: “We are a non-profit public art project that inspires artists to create murals in their communities–sparking hope, connection, and conversations about mental health.”
Once I understood the weight of what was being painted in my own neighborhood, I had to know more. I dug around, found the local artist, Elisa Del Giudice, and asked if I could come out and document her process.
Looking back, this was a pivotal moment for me creatively. It was one of the very first times I stepped out of my comfort zone to photograph something other than my family or product inventory. I wasn't just capturing a painting; I was capturing a feeling.
The whole concept of the mural felt like a big yellow hug.
Watching the message take shape. It took a team to bring those massive yellow letters to life on the side of the YMCA.
As someone who has navigated the heavy waters of depression and anxiety, I know exactly how vital those four words—You Are Not Alone—can be. It’s a reminder that we don't have to carry it all by ourselves.
I drive past the YMCA every day now, and I still look at it every single time. It hasn't lost its impact.
I was digging through my archives this week and froze when I found these photos. It may have only been two years ago, but it feels like a lifetime of history has passed since then. I wanted to share them again because, while my photography has evolved, the core value behind this image hasn't changed.
Art connects us. Vulnerability connects us. And if you needed a sign today, let this be it: You are not alone.
I couldn't resist. When the car matches the message perfectly. That specific shade of yellow has basically become the color of hope for me on this block.
