About this Event
🚂 A New Stop on the Kindness Journey! 💛
Join us as we celebrate the unveiling of My Buddy Bench Project's 9th Buddy Bench at South Miami Heights Elementary School!
All aboard the Kindness Express! 🚂💛
We're excited to invite you to a special milestone as South Miami Heights Elementary School, home of the SMHE Locomotives, officially unveils its new Anti-Bullying Buddy Bench on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at 9:00 AM!
What began as one young girl's personal experience with bullying has grown into a movement dedicated to ensuring that every child feels seen, included, and valued.
Founded by mother-daughter duo Mary and Victoria Portela, My Buddy Bench Project (MBBP) is a Miami-based nonprofit working to create safer, kinder, and more connected school communities.
💛 More Than Just a Bench
The Buddy Bench is a symbol of friendship, inclusion, and hope—a place where students can seek connection, extend kindness, and remind one another that no one should feel alone.
Through MBBP's Kindness Ambassador Program, students are empowered to become leaders of kindness by practicing empathy, preventing bullying, and building meaningful friendships. The program also provides ongoing social-emotional enrichment activities that help create a lasting culture of compassion and belonging.
🌟 Celebrating Community & Kindness
Join students, school leadership, Kindness Ambassadors, community partners, and MBBP Co-Founders Mary and Victoria Portela as we celebrate this meaningful addition to the South Miami Heights Elementary community.
This initiative was made possible through the generous support of The Children's Trust and in collaboration with Christina's Academy. We are grateful for their commitment to strengthening the emotional well-being of children and families in Miami-Dade County.
Event venue & nearby stays
South Miami Heights Elementary, 12231 Southwest 190th Terrace, Miami, United States
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