1999 marks the 100th Anniversary of
the Juvenile Justice System in the United States. Our 11thJudicial Circuit is
marking this anniversary with a broad variety of events. We are planning a weeklong
celebration (December 6th through 10th, 1999) focusing on the many
elements essential to successfully rear a child. The highlight of our week will be the
unveiling of a major work of art inspired by a children's mural on the front wall of the
Juvenile Courthouse.
Renowned artist, Xavier Cortada, has agreed to collaborate
with us to create a special collage. Cortada, who has worked on mural projects around the
world, and who also practiced law specializing in Juvenile Justice before becoming a
full-time artist, is now working with hundreds of abused, neglected, and delinquent
children to create this work of art. Cortada has already spent countless hours meeting
with children in various programs about this project. After discussing their hopes and
dreams for the future, the children then express their thoughts artistically by painting a
picture or writing a poem. These pictures and words will eventually be combined by Cortada
in an enormous collage to be installed inside the courthouse. From the collage, Cortada
will then be inspired to paint a central theme for the project. This image will then be
enlarged two stories high, reproduced in glass mosaic tiles, and mounted on the front of
our courthouse building. Cortada has said this project is "like coming full circle
for me" because it combines his background in Juvenile Justice, his artistic talents,
and his wonder at the amazing capacity of children to express their feelings honestly and
interpret the impact of their lives. Having seen the drawings, I can tell you how deeply
moving this project will be.
The mural project is only one of the many events planned for
our celebration week.
Each day will be devoted to a different theme, all
components we feel are necessary for healthy child development. There will be a
performance every day by children in various Juvenile Justice programs, along will
information booths, demonstrations and courtroom tours. One day will focus on health,
highlighting various programs now in place to promote physical and emotional well being.
Another day will focus on education and the many projects we undertake to teach children
involved in dependency and delinquency court. Yet another day will focus on the family,
including biological and extended families, as well as foster and adoptive families.
Another day will highlight community groups, including faith-based organizations, which
play a critical role in child development. The final day is devoted to self-expression,
another crucial element for children. This is the day the mural will be unveiled.
The goal of the celebration is to spread the word to the
community at large about all the work we do in the Juvenile Court system for children. We
hope to bring in hundreds of people who do not usually come to the courthouse so they can
understand all the efforts undertaken every day in this community on behalf of children.
We know how much we actually accomplish. Now is the time to let the rest of the community
know.
Any celebration of this nature is essentially reliant on the
support of leaders within the community. The mural will consist of two components: One
will be located inside the building and will include many of the original pieces of art
created by the children involved in the project; the finished mosaic will be installed on
the exterior of the building. Estimated costs are $40,000. In addition, there will be
operating costs for the weeklong celebration - many activities are being planned for the
children and the community. We would also like to create a poster of Cortada's finished
mosaic, to be given to the community leaders, political leaders, celebrities, sponsors,
sport personalities, and other VIPs involved in this event, and to sell for additional
funding. We are currently in the earliest stages of the fund raising for this activity. We
do believe that there will be significant support from within the legal community, and are
currently working with representatives from several bar associations in Dade County.
On Wednesday, November10, 1999 the Grand Bay Hotel in
Coconut Grove will be hosting a "Sushi Happy Hour" along with Clauda Heimes of
CH Promotions to help raise funds for this event. The Happy Hour will begin at 6:00 P.M..
Valet Parking is available as well as a public parking lot across the street from the
hotel. A donation of $20.00 is requested. There will be drink specials and door prizes.
Your generosity will mean a great deal to our ability to
showcase the important work we do on behalf of abused, neglected, abandoned, and
delinquent children. The events planned for the celebration will not only bring awareness
to the community, but will be fun for the children and bring much joy and happiness to
their lives. Your contribution will help make this celebration a big success.
For further information, please contact Michele L.
Zukovich, Court Evaluation Unit, at (305)638-6774.
|
