Over the Rainbow
Greetings!

How can a heart be so heavy, yet so hopeful?

This past Sunday my Coco, my fur-baby of nearly 12 years, passed away. It all happened so quickly. I'm grateful he didn't suffer.

Coco was diagnosed with cancer over two years ago, and the vets gave me no hope for his survival at the time.

But my baby lived over two more years--a boxer breed miracle.

Now he's over the rainbow.
My heart, no matter how heavy, remains full of hope.

Hope is the promise of tomorrow. It is having the faith that you will find, give and spread love in this world while you have the ability to do it.

I invite you to inspire hope, encounter joy and spread love in our downtown community this month. There are many ways to gather together and fill our hearts:

6:30 a.m. Sun., Apr. 17 | Sunrise Service at Water Works Park
6 p.m. Fri., Apr. 22 | Art + Open Mic Night at The Portico Cafe
7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Sat., Apr. 30 | BIG Habitat Build Day

Scroll below to learn more.

My Coco never met a stranger. He literally loved his neighbors. He inspired a special joy and happiness in everyone he'd meet.

In my heavy heart there are spaces of hope where I believe my good boy is waiting patiently for his mommy--somewhere over the rainbow.

Peace,

Chalette M. Davis
Events & Missions
Chalette@ThePortico.org
O: 813.222.2299 | M: 813.951.6974
1001 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, FL 33602
Conversation. Connection. Community Change.

P.S. Join me this Sunday for an Easter Sunrise Service filled with love, joy and hope in every color of the rainbow.

Easter Sunrise Service
6:30 a.m. Sunday, Apr. 17
Water Works Park

With warm hearts and open minds, we welcome all to celebrate Easter!

Celebrate Easter sunrise with Hyde Park United Methodist in a casual service at Water Works Park (1710 N. Highland Ave., Tampa).

This service features acoustic music, meditation and conversation.

We encourage you to come as you are to this service: children, lawn chairs, blankets and even pets are welcome.

Want to serve? Contact Justin.

Connect more on Facebook.
Art + Open Mic Night
6 p.m. Friday, April 22
FREE & Open to Public

The Portico Cafe is back in April for Autism Acceptance Month welcoming local artists to share their talents with downtown Tampa during this special Fourth Friday event.

ABOUT OPEN MIC NIGHT
Acoustic musicians, poets and performers are welcome to perform and collaborate.

Limited 15 minute sets available.

Performers sign-up here: https://bit.ly/3t8mmUT

** Family-friendly Entertainment Please **

**Beginning at 6 pm: Buy One Specialty Coffee Drink and Receive a Free Muffin**

Free and open to the public!

Check out our menu at ThePorticoCafe.org

ABOUT THE ART | ARTIST STATEMENT
Raising awareness for Autism Acceptance Month, The Portico Cafe welcomes an artist living with autism, Joseph Benito, to our space.

“Painting is a fun way for me to express myself. Thank you for following my art adventures.”

Learn more about Joseph at @MyArtByJB

EVENT HOST | Jasey Soulz
For many years Jasey Soulz has hosted open mic events in the Tampa Bay area– most notably at the Bamboozle Tea Lounge in downtown. A talented performer himself, Jasey has also co-hosted and judged several local talent shows within the New York metropolitan area.

This event is free and open to the public.

Want to serve? Contact Chalette.

Connect more on Facebook.
Mindi's Habitat Build
NEW COMMUNITY BUILD DAY!
7:30 a.m. Saturday, April 30

Let's build Mindi's house!

Join friends and neighbors of The Portico in celebrating Mindi, one of our greatest success stories.

Stay connected and join the team that will begin building the home of one of our success stories at The Portico.

 We are hosting a "BIG" build day on April 30.

The foundation and walls of Mindi's house have gone up and we are ready to host a serve day and give Mindi a big surge of volunteer support!

Want to serve? Register here

Connect more on Facebook.
WE'RE ON A MISSION!
THE PORTICO CAFE IS OPEN
8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Tuesdays - Friday
HELP US MEET OUR MONTHLY GOAL!

Coffee On A Mission

As of Thursday, April 14: 46 Bags Sold 

The Mission: 100 Bags in 30 Days 

The Coffee: Locally-roasted Portico Blends and Don Carlos Espresso

The Cause: Stand against homelessness with every gift or purchase.

Buy, give or donate at: ThePorticoCafe.org.

We ship ANYWHERE in the U.S. coast to coast ($5 delivery in Hills. Co.). 
THE PORTICO CAFE IS OPEN!

A Barista Feature

Syrius is a vocational rehab employee that we hired through a community partnership with Tampa Crossroads. He has worked in The Portico Cafe for over a month now.
We're so lucky to have him!

Tampa Crossroads develops partnerships with many community organizations and private sector businesses, addressing the unique employment needs of people with disabilities.

Through this partnership, we're able to train individuals with disabilities and give them their "first shot" at finding long term/sustainable employment.

We all work together to make a difference!


Learn more about Syrius in next week's "Connections List" e-newsletter.

Menu Items:
Breakfast
Morning Cuban 
Breakfast Burrito
Avocado Toast
Cuban Toast
Lunch
Turkey Club
Portico Cuban

Full Menu
Every time you give or make a purchase at The Cafe, you bring us closer to our goal to bring back a fully operational cafe with a mission: to help the formerly addicted and homeless onto employment ladders and into safe affordable housing.
Yoga Mondays
Community Yoga
5:30p.m. Mondays
The Community Hall
FREE & Open to Public
Midday Meditation
12:30 p.m. Tuesdays
The Henderson Chapel

Refresh your soul and connect with The Divine during this brief mediation practice each Tuesday.

Join us Tuesdays in The Portico's Henderson Chapel.

For more information contact Justin@theportico.org.
BOOK A SMALL MEETING SPACE AT THE PORTICO
Book one of our small meeting rooms for business meetings and small gatherings.

The Board Room, our newly renovated space, was designed exclusively for business-style meetings. It is one of six meeting/event spaces currently available to suit your small gathering needs (30 persons or less).

Book your meeting now at ThePortico.org/ReserveSpace.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS

12 p.m. Sunday, May 8 | Community Meal
6 p.m. Tuesdays Starting May 10 | RISE: 12 Steps with Jesus

The Portico | 1001 N. Florida Avenue | 813.222.2299 | ThePortico.org