WEST HARTFORD, Connecticut – On Sunday, Feb. 27, the Friendship Circle of Greater Hartford marked Jewish Disability Awareness Inclusion Month by creating the first Jewish Community Inclusion Mural. People of all ages, with and without disabilities, came together on the patio of Starbucks-Bishop Corner in West Hartford – unphased by the winter temperatures, eager to choose their color and contribute to the beautiful, colorful art composition – to spray paint a community mural, which serves as a testament to what can be achieved when people of all abilities work together in an inclusive environment. Participants also had the opportunity to pick up educational handouts, purchase children’s books on inclusion, and make their voices heard by writing notes on the “One Thing I Wish You Knew About Me” message board.

Standing at the intersection of Trout Brook Drive and Albany Avenue intersection in West Hartford, the theme of the 8’x16’ artwork is #justASK – a message that says when a community asks and listens, and all its members feel heard and respected, it creates an environment of understanding and acceptance.  

The Friendship Circle brings together everyone from toddler to young adults with and without special needs, for a variety of Judaic and social programming.

Learn more about Friendship Circle at friendshipCircleCT.com. 

To see a timelapse video of the creation of the mural and to learn more about the theme, visit justASK.care.

Main Photo: A Friendship Circle volunteer celebrates the finish of the Jewish Community Inclusion Mural