STAMFORD, Conn. - June 25, 2009 - Keep America Beautiful, Inc. is pleased to announce improvements to the online home of its acclaimed graffiti prevention program, Graffiti Hurts(R). Along with the redesigned Web site and new content is an updated Graffiti Hurts(R) logo. Check it all out at www.graffitihurts.org.
The new look and content reflects Keep America Beautiful's continuing efforts to address graffiti vandalism through targeted prevention techniques and educational outreach, especially to young people. Graffiti Hurts® stresses that graffiti vandalism is not a victimless crime. In fact, the victims are often the vandals themselves, their families and friends, as the entire community suffers a diminished quality of life.

New features on the site include "Force4Good" - multimedia segments profiling organizations, artists and activists that are combining talents to reach young people through innovative graffiti prevention programs. Additional tools and online resources help community organizations develop, build and sustain local efforts.

"Building a consistent message to prevent graffiti vandalism requires that our organization and programs remain relevant to their target audiences," said Keep America Beautiful President and CEO Matt McKenna. "We thank The Sherwin-Williams Company for their ongoing support of this program that is making a difference in hundreds of communities nationwide."

"Preventing graffiti requires a commitment to providing tools and resources directly to the people and organizations that need them," said Harvey Sass, president and general manager, Diversified Brands Division, The Sherwin-Williams Company. "Sherwin-Williams is proud to support Keep America Beautiful's efforts to improve communities and the lives of their residents through the Graffiti Hurts program."

The logo and Web site were redesigned and constructed by Anthony Thomas Advertising of Cleveland, Ohio. The goal of the redesign was to make the site and its contents more accessible to multiple audiences ranging from community leaders, teachers, law enforcement, and local governments to at-risk youth and the organizations working with them.

Graffiti Hurts(R) was developed in 1996 through a partnership between Keep America Beautiful, the nation's largest nonprofit education and community improvement organization, and The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE: SHW), maker of Krylon paint, to respond to the blight of graffiti vandalism in communities nationwide. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, graffiti contributes to lost revenue associated with reduced ridership on transit systems, reduced retail sales, and declines in property value.

About Keep America Beautiful, Inc. and its Graffiti Hurts(R) Program
Keep America Beautiful, Inc., established in 1953, is the nation's largest volunteer-based community action and education organization, whose network of nearly 1,000 affiliate and participating organizations forms public-private partnerships and programs that engage individuals to take greater responsibility for improving their community environments. For additional information, visit www.kab.org. Graffiti Hurts(R) is a community-based graffiti prevention program of Keep America Beautiful, Inc. that provides resources to help communities assess the graffiti problem, initiate graffiti prevention activities, and educate youth and adults about the impact of graffiti vandalism on neighborhoods.

Keep America Beautiful

Keep America Beautiful

Keep America Beautiful is the nation’s leading nonprofit that brings people together to build and sustain vibrant communities. With a powerful national network of community-based affiliates, we work with millions of volunteers who take action in their communities to transform public spaces into beautiful places. Through our programs and public-private partnerships, we engage individuals to take greater responsibility for improving their community’s environment.

For more information, visit kab.org, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, discover us on Pinterest, or view us on YouTube.

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