Shreveport’s Beloved “Paint Your Heart Out” Program Could Be Ending After 33 Years

Over the past 30 years more than 1700 homes in Shreveport have been painted as part of the Paint Your Heart Out program. But this community effort could be on the chopping block. But a final decision on ending the program has not been made.

READ MORE: Food Bank Needs Help from Public

Mayor Tom Arceneaux says this is a very expensive program and he wants to find out if there is a better use for the money. Paul Pratt Chairs Paint Your Heart Out and he is urging the Mayor and the City Council to find a way to keep the program operating.

Why Is Paint Your Heart Out on the Chopping Block

Community Development Director Verni Howard says the program has been budgeted for $350 thousand dollars, but the cost of the program for this past year has ballooned to nearly $500 thousand dollars. She says the city has to spend at least $100 thousand dollars getting the homes prepped before the volunteers go out into the neighborhoods to paint.

READ MORE: See What Economic District for 50 Cent Looks Like

The Problems Left Behind by Paint Your Heart Out

Howard says this is a great program, but we have to remember these are volunteers. They are not professional painters. She says she gets calls from elderly people who say the work is sub- par. She says there is paint on the windows and the sidewalks. One resident’s windows were painted shut. She says the city is spending tens of thousands of dollars to correct mistakes made by the volunteers.

Get our free mobile app

But Pratt says “the program not only supports our seniors, but also beautifies our city at the same time. It’s been a cornerstone of community pride for more than 30 years.”

Howard says “we love this program, but we have to consider whether we can use that same money to make more lasting improvements for our elderly citizens.”