ABOUT US

The Portico is an entire city block in downtown Tampa. It includes a social enterprise (Portico Cafe), spaces to meet and work on the 2nd and 3rd floors, a historic chapel, and the Community Hall event space for the public. We enhance the social, artistic, and spiritual fabric of Tampa through Conversation, Connection, and Community Change!

The Portico Spiritual Community is a missional church dedicated to justice, restoration, and meaningful conversations. We cultivate relationships through a weekly breakfast that serves the hungry, small group networks, meditation gatherings, and welcoming meeting spaces—including a mission-driven café that supports those affected by homelessness and addiction.

Our unique worship experience, The 1001 Gathering, takes place every Sunday at 10:01 a.m. at 1001 N. Florida Ave. We are a vibrant community of Hyde Park United Methodist, committed to transformation and hope.

The Portico Cafe is a social enterprise that offers people transitioning from homelessness, addiction, and incarceration job training, employment ladders, and connections to safe, affordable housing.

Portico Housing Solutions bridges men from homelessness to transformation through safe housing, mentoring, and Christ-based support. These men are a part of our spiritual community.

The Portico Cafe

A social enterprise where every cup and space rental supports our homelessness initiatives

Missional Church

We are an unconventional church focused on conversation, meditation, justice, and serving the underserved

Missional Justice

Where we engage in advocacy & justice efforts in our community through groups and partnerships

Missional Outreach

We create community change through our homelessness and recovery initiatives

Spiritual Practices

We practice contemplation and reflection through art, meditation, and yoga

Transforming ourselves, the city and the world through conversation, connection and community change.

We offer gathering spaces, an event venue, and a historic chapel.

We host not-for-profit groups, festivals, art exhibits, concerts, social interest groups and community service projects.

Conversation

We are a place where people can be unafraid to lower their guard, be authentic with each other, and talk about God in new ways.

Connection

We are a breathing space amidst the noise and busyness of life, inviting connection to God and each other through silence and meditation.

Community Change

We engage individuals in service to make a difference in the community and the world.

Awards

2022 Tampa Bay Lightning Community Hero Justin LaRosa

Justin LaRosa, the minister and director of The Portico, was named Community Hero by the NHL Tampa Bay Lightning in 2022 for his leadership and dedication of the betterment of the Tampa community. The award came with a $50,000 grant, which went toward furthering the Portico mission.

2017 Children's Board of Hillsborough County Business Plan Winner

The Portico Cafe was recognized by the Children's Board of Hillsborough County in its first year of operation for its unique and mission-driven business plan.

Habitat for Humanity 2022 Volunteer Team of the Year

The Portico was recognized in 2022 for "superior performance and dedication to Habitat for Humanity's mission". We are grateful to Habitat for this recognition and for what they have done for members of our own community!

Second Chances: A Story of Struggle and Recovery

A Film by Tamara Nemirovsky

“Second Chances” is a documentary by Tamara Nemirovsky following 4 Portico Cafe employees as they navigate through the early stages of recovery and the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. The documentary has been nominated for and won numerous awards, and we are so grateful to Tamara for telling our cafe's story!

National and International Film Festival Awards

The Best Health and Covid 19 Film Award at The Berlin Indies Film Festival, Berlin, Germany.
The Excellence Documentary Feature Award at The Impact DOCS Awards, California, U.S.A.
The Best Documentary Made in Quarantine Award at South Film and Art Academy Festival, Rancagua, Chile.
The Best Feature Female Director Award at South Film and Art Academy Festival, Rancagua, Chile.
The Best North American Documentary Award at AltFF Alternative Film Festival, Toronto, Canada.
The Best Covid Film Theme Award at San Francisco International Film Awards, San Francisco, U.S.A.
The Best Documentary Award at TBUFF Tampa Bay Underground Film Festival, Tampa Bay, U.S.A.
The Best Covid 19 Film Award at The Golden Lion International Film Festival. Kolkata, India.
The Best Educational Documentary Honorable Mention at the Best International Film Festival, Bucharest, Romania.

National and International Film Festival Nominations

The Most Inspirational Documentary Nomination at the International Christian Film & Music Festival, Orlando, U.S.A.
The Best Documentary Screenplay Nomination at South Film and Art Academy Festival, Rancagua, Chile.
The Best Documentary Semifinalist at the Blow-Up Art Film Festival, Chicago, U.S.A.

National and International Film Festival Official Selections

Official Selection in the Documentary Film sessions at Barcelona Indie Filmmakers Festival BARCIFF, Barcelona, Spain.
Official Selection in the Documentary Film sessions at Gasparilla International Film Festival, Tampa,S.A.
Official Selection in the Documentary Film sessions at El Ojo Cojo, Madrid, Spain.
Official Selection in the Documentary Film sessions at Dunedin International Film Festival, Dunedin, U.S.A.

Meet the Team

Justin LaRosa

Minister and Director

Mindi

The Portico Cafe Manager