The latest collaboration between Strode Station Elementary School’s Family Resource Center and students from the Phoenix Academy will meet one of the most basic needs.

FRC Director Ros Gay said she has seen an increase this year in the number of students who are not able to bathe adequately in their current living conditions, which can lead to distractions and problems at school.

Gay said the school has a shower students can use, but Phoenix students are working to make it more inviting and user-friendly.

“What we want is for our students to feel comfortable,” Gay said.

Thursday, a pair of students from the Phoenix Academy, along with teacher Mike Murray, picked up where the last group left off: taping off the ceiling and wall tiles before painting the upper walls a light blue.

“One of the classes we have is a life skills class,” Murray said. “We’ve partnered with Strode Station to give kids some experience with community service. Some of the kids have some hours required from court, but most don’t. This is a way for them to give back to the community.”

Murray said Phoenix students usually make it to Strode one day a week to work on projects, sometimes working on landscaping outside. With winter-like temperatures, inside projects are welcome, he said.

“If we can improve the community as a whole, it’s better for everyone,” Murray said.