At The Help Group, we believe what’s possible expands the moment a young person is truly seen—supported not just to succeed, but to belong, to express, and to thrive. The arts are often where that possibility first takes shape: a place to explore identity, build confidence, and turn what feels unspoken into something powerful and shareable. This fall, that promise came full circle when Gabe Gault returned to The Help Group not as a student, but as an accomplished multimedia muralist—bringing his creativity home, and reminding us that with the right support, students don’t just find their voice. They can shape the world with it.
From Student to Celebrated Artist
Gabe Gault’s story began at Summit View West, where a traditional classroom could have limited his path—but at the Help Group, his creativity was recognized and nurtured. With the right encouragement, he poured his focus into art and discovered not just a talent, but a calling. Today, his murals span communities and national landmarks, including Toledo’s Glass City River Wall—recognized as the largest mural in the United States. His collaborators include some of the most influential names in culture and civic life—Nike, Netflix, UCLA, the NAACP, and the Will and Jada Smith Foundation. And yet, the most powerful measure of his success isn’t how far his work has traveled. It’s that it has brought him back—home to the place that helped him imagine what was possible.
Painting Representation, Creating Connection
This semester, Gabe brought his signature style (what he calls “Standing Out and Blending In”) to two Help Group campuses, creating murals that do more than beautify walls. They tell students: you belong here.
At our Sherman Oaks campus, working alongside students from Village Glen and Bridgeport, Gabe painted a mural celebrating the diversity of our student population. While not based on specific individuals, the piece was carefully crafted to ensure every student could see themselves reflected in the art. “I did overhear a student say, ‘that looks like me,’ and that’s what I wanted: students to see themselves and feel represented in this mural,” Gabe shared.
That moment of recognition captures everything we strive for at the Help Group. When students feel seen, valued, and represented, they begin to believe in possibilities they might never have imagined.
Coming Home to Summit View West
The second project brought Gabe back to Summit View West, his alma mater, where he created a dynamic and modern mural of California poppies. This time, he was joined by volunteers from AppleTV+, adding another layer of community support to the project.
Michele Hennessey of Apple, who participated in the mural painting, captured the spirit of the day perfectly: “Gabe is an amazing artist and top-notch man. His contribution to his school showed a big heart and a giving spirit.”
The Ripple Effect
Gabe’s story illustrates what happens when we meet students where they are and help them discover their strengths rather than focusing solely on their challenges. His artistic philosophy of “Standing Out and Blending In” reflects his own experience: finding ways to express his identity while navigating systems that don’t always make space for difference.
When former students like Gabe return to share their gifts, they create ripples that extend far beyond the paint on the walls. Current students see what’s possible. They understand that their challenges don’t define their potential.
Gabe Gault came to Summit View West as a student with a learning difference. He left as an artist with a voice. He returned as proof that when we create spaces where students can discover and develop their passions, there’s no limit to what they can achieve. The murals on our campus walls will remain long after the paint dries, vibrant reminders that every student has something extraordinary to contribute to the world.
