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Local nonprofit proposes 'Buddy Bench' installations and SEL program to Miami Lakes committee
Summary
Mary Portela of the My Buddy Bench Project told the committee about painted 'buddy benches' and an accompanying social-emotional learning (SEL) program the group offers; the full program is priced at $3,500 and the committee agreed to develop a plan and seek town-council approval and sponsorships.
Mary Portela, co‑founder of the My Buddy Bench Project, presented a proposal to the Miami Lakes committee to install brightly painted “buddy benches” in local parks and school playgrounds and to pair each bench with a social‑emotional learning curriculum designed to reduce bullying and promote youth mental health.
Portela said the peer‑support concept, also called friendship benches, is used internationally. Her organization supplies pine‑wood benches that are primed, painted by volunteers and double‑sealed for weather…
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