It’s art with a message.

During a special ceremony on August 31, we proudly unveiled our first United to End Homelessness mural in Costa Mesa. More than 170 community members and public officials gathered at First United Methodist Church in Costa Mesa for the special celebration and to reflect on long-term strategies and solutions to end homelessness in Orange County for good.

More than 170 community members and public officials gathered on Aug. 31 at First United Methodist Church in Costa Mesa to celebrate the unveiling of the first United to End Homelessness mural in Costa Mesa.

The new mural painted on a public building at the historic Costa Mesa church aims to raise awareness for helping Orange County’s homeless population. The artwork, thoughtfully created by renowned local artist Brian Peterson of Faces of Santa Ana, is an immersive and interactive depiction of what each and every homeless person needs: a safe and comfortable place to call home.

One side of the building reads, “What solves homelessness?” while another side illustrates a furnished family room with a yellow couch and a painting of Robert Morse, a former homeless man who now spends his time helping homeless persons and families. A portion of a couch protrudes from the mural, allowing people to sit “in” the home and take photos.

The mural features a painting of Robert Morse, a former homeless man who now helps homeless persons and families.

Peterson is the founder of Faces of Santa Ana, an organization dedicated to supporting people experiencing homelessness through art and creativity. His work has been praised across the nation as both “eye-opening” and “humanizing.”

His passion and advocacy work for this cause is the reason why United to End Homelessness collaborated with Peterson to launch the mural project to serve as a driving force for good. This initiative was purposefully designed to engage the community in a conversation about homelessness and to think about long-term solutions that would end Orange County’s homelessness crisis.

Artist Brian Peterson of Faces of Santa Ana created the new mural painted on the historic Costa Mesa church.

“Home Sweet Home” is the first in a series of murals that United to End Homelessness plans to roll out across Orange County. It, and the murals to follow, will be proudly displayed to serve as a catalyst for change to inspire every citizen to be a part of the solution to end homelessness in Orange County.

The special mural unveiling ceremony featured remarks from Orange County United Way’s President & CEO Susan B. Parks, Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie Norris and Costa Mesa Mayor Katrina Foley.

If you haven’t already, check out the mural with a few friends and share your pictures on your social media pages with the hashtag #UnitedMuralsOC. Help us spread awareness and continue to build on this momentum.

Together, we can and will end homelessness for our most vulnerable neighbors.

Are you ready to help end homelessness in Orange County?