Contact: Carla Moreira Strickland

Allegany Franciscan Ministries invests in Catalyst Miami’s initiative to provide residents with social services through grassroots community outreach

MIAMI, Florida – On August 6, 2015, Catalyst Miami, an anti-poverty nonprofit organization, will launch “Prosperity Miami,” an initiative to bring social services to Miami-Dade County residents in their own neighborhoods. Catalyst   Miami will partner with South Florida Voices for Working Families and New Florida Majority Education Fund to identify and engage 8,000 families in ten neighborhoods.

For many low-income families, accessing social services is a challenge. The family caretaker has to worry about making an appointment, getting permission to miss work, accessing transportation, figuring out childcare, and, most importantly, losing income. These challenges make it hard for families to access social services that can improve their quality of life.

To mitigate these challenges, Catalyst Miami will offer on-the-spot enrollment services at health fairs, churches, job sites, school open houses, and back-to-school events in ten neighborhoods, including Coconut Grove, Downtown, Florida City, Hialeah, Homestead, Liberty City, Little Haiti, Little Havana, Overtown, and Sweetwater. According to U.S. Census data, these ten neighborhoods have the highest numbers of uninsured and underinsured children and families, families at risk of becoming uninsured, families medically underserved due to low-income/asset-limited status, and individuals and families impacted by the 5-year ban on permanent residents.

“We are delighted to provide funding for this important effort in a community with one of the widest gaps between rich and poor in the country and disturbingly large numbers without health insurance. The project will connect our most vulnerable residents to critical services and help them achieve economic stability,” said Eileen Coogan Boyle, President and CEO of Allegany Franciscan Ministries.

“Catalyst Miami is eager to begin this pilot and reboot our Prosperity Campaign. We are ready to bring our services to our clients, meeting them as close to home as possible. We are also grateful for our partners in this endeavor. New Florida Majority Education Fund and South Florida Voices for Working Families bring community connections and civic engagement opportunities to Prosperity Miami, making it easier for us to fulfill our mission,” said Gretchen Beesing,   Chief Executive Officer of Catalyst Miami.

Catalyst Miami will hold a community event on Thursday, August 6, 2015 to officially launch “Prosperity Miami.”

###

Allegany Franciscan Ministries is rooted in the tradition and vision of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany providing funds in three regions of Florida and working with community partners to create healthier, safer, and more prosperous places for our most vulnerable residents. As part of Trinity Health, its mission is to serve together in the spirit of the Gospel as a compassionate and transforming healing presence within communities served. For more information, visit www.afmfl.org.

Catalyst Miami is a nonprofit organization committed to developing and supporting individual leadership and community organizations with the purpose of improving health, educational, and economic outcomes in South Florida. You can visit Catalyst Miami’s website at catalystmiami.org and follow Catalyst Miami on Twitter at @CatalystMiami.