Front Porch Conversations
	Mural Unveiling during The Front Porch Florida Designation Announcement of the Community of Little Havana by Governor Jeb Bush on June 1st, 2001, 11:30 a.m. at San Juan Bosco Church 1301 West Flagler Street, Miami, Florida
POSTPONED: Please check back for future unveiling date
(A Luncheon will follow the Announcement-- please RSVP to Maria Estrada at 305-324-5505 x 100 by May 29, 2001) The project is presented by Greater Miami Neighborhoods and its partners.

Governor Jeb Bush has designated Little Havana as a Front Porch Initiative community. The initiative is a grass-root, bottom-up revitalization initiative that focuses on the family and empowers residents to define and resolve neighborhood problems through technical assistance.

On June 1, 2001, during the Initiative's launch, the "Front Porch Conversations" collaborative mural created by Miami artist Xavier Cortada will be unveiled.  The collaborative mural, sponsored by Greater Miami Neighborhood and its partners, was created using drawings by students from Riverside Elementary School.

Through input from received from students and members of the community, the nine-foot long canvas mural aims to capture the conversations people (would) have (had) about their community: Conversations about memories and aspirations of the people of Little Havana. Conversations about the history and the future. Conversations that help others become more aware of critical issues facing the community, explore their own thoughts and feelings about these issues, and propose solutions.

Front Porch Mission Statements

To encourage and support Florida's urban citizens in their effort to preserve core neighborhood values and to assist them in identifying and strengthening their existing community assets.

To foster an atmosphere of cooperation and understanding in neighborhoods, which empowers neighbors to create an oasis of hope within their communities through committed local activism.

To work as an Agent of facilitation by uniting individuals; neighborhoods; and public and private resources as collaborative partners with a common goal of re-claiming Florida's urban communities.

To promote and celebrate neighborhoods that have successfully revitalized themselves, as role models and shining examples of what all Florida urban communities aspire to become.