Jay Silva
2007 West 100th Street
Cleveland, Ohio 44102
08/10/2025

Neighbor Up Action Grant Committee

Re: Letter of Support – “Pieces of Peace: A Mosaic Project”

Dear Neighbor Up Action Grant Committee,

I am writing to express my support for the “Pieces of Peace” mosaic project. My perspective comes from my work as a management consultant on transformational projects around the world. I have spent years observing what successful execution looks like — from early vision through planning, communication, and delivery. The team behind Pieces of Peace is showing the right signs: a clear and meaningful goal, a design that brings people together, and an approach that invites participation from anyone in the neighborhood — whether through a conversation, a text message, or an email. These are the kinds of inclusive practices that give a project life and momentum.

In addition, the organizers are already active in the community in ways that matter. Their outreach is both intentional and semi-organic, using their own platform — including Google Forms — to welcome and coordinate participation. They provide food over the weekends, support neighbors in need, and advocate for the rights and wellbeing of local residents. The design of this project fits naturally into that existing network of care, ensuring that it will be carried out with the same dedication and follow-through they already demonstrate.

Through this work, I’ve seen impacts that reach all the way to the youngest among us. My four-year-old daughter recently wanted to taste the greens in our community garden because “her daddy planted them.” It’s a full-circle moment when these efforts are local, done with love, passion, respect, and the determination to do good no matter what. Pieces of Peace carries that same spirit — transforming small, individual acts into something lasting and shared.

I am confident that with this approach, the project will not only be completed but will have a lasting, visible impact. It is built on values of openness, kindness, and shared effort, and I believe it will inspire others to contribute in their own ways.