A group of Deering High School seniors has won a Painting for a Purpose grant to make a permanent prayer room at Deering High School. The group plans to paint a mural and create a safe space for members of the Muslim community at DHS. Designing and painting the room will both strengthen their current connections within their school community and help New Mainers feel welcome and represented. Painting for a Purpose is a local nonprofit that brings creative people together to paint whimsical decorative items that they sell to raise money to fund service-learning projects led by Portland Public Schools students. Students receive up to $500 to put their idea into action.