GAF, in partnership with the City of Shafter in California and Project for Public Spaces (PPS), hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the official opening of the Shafter Learning Center’s new expanded learning area. Following the ribbon cutting, members of the community joined in on a celebration event where they explored the expanded facilities, signed up for classes and enjoyed fun and engaging activities.

GAF, a proud member and employer in the Shafter community for more than a decade, as well as the team from PPS and City of Shafter, worked closely with education specialists and community residents to determine the best use of the space. The result is a new learning area that includes additional classroom and meeting space, a new children's library where families can relax and read together, and a new, colorful pavement area using StreetBond that expands the usable outdoor space.

"The people who benefit the most from this are the community. So our students, our parents, the folks that live here in Shafter, who come here and take classes and want a better future, who have dreams for a better future,"  America Niño-Rodriguez, program manager with the city of Shafter Library and Learning Center, told ABC-affiliated KERO-TV.

The expansion project is part of GAF’s social impact initiative, GAF Community Matters, which is focused on making a positive difference as neighbors and partners in the community by leveraging roofing expertise, resources and products to help build resilient communities.