Woodview gets refreshed by dozens of volunteer painters

It was all-hands on paint rollers and brushes on Saturday at Woodview Mental Health and Autism Services in Aldershot.

Close to 30 volunteers spent the day painting 10 rooms at the facility that has helped many students since opening in 1960.

The Rotary Club of Burlington North, Burlington Helping Burlington, community volunteers and high school students from Interact, Rotary International's service club for young people ages 12 to 18, came out to add fresh paint to the walls of the rooms where students and teachers spend their days learning and growing.

Michelle Bake-Murphy, communications and fundraising coordinator at Woodview, was overcome with emotion and pride.

“I can really feel the love today,” she said. “You wouldn’t think a coat of paint would make that big of a difference, but it really does.”

Ashley Silva, Woodview’s program manager, said painting is not something the non-profit could have done on its own without the financial support and the physical hands-on painters.

“There are 39 learners every month here who will benefit from this,” she said. “When you’re in those therapy rooms the fresh coat of paint is going to make a difference. It will bring a sense of comfort and joy and it’s just extra special now.”

After a morning of painting the group enjoyed donated pizza from Pizzaiolo, salads and treats. Benjamin Moore paint was donated by Burlington Paint.

Nestled in a woodland setting at 69 Flatt Rd., Woodview provides Halton mental health day treatment programs for students in Grades 1 to 8 and high school, and autism services for children up to 18 years old. Their services focus on skill-building, coping strategies, relationships, independence and resilience.