CLEAR

Community Leadership on the Environment, Advocacy, and Resilience

The 10-week CLEAR program provides participants with the groundwork to become climate resilience educators, leaders, and innovators in their own communities and beyond. Participants will develop a deep understanding of climate science, local climate change threats, and solutions.

Program graduates can apply for a CLEAR Fellowship—mini-grants with continued mentorship—to support their own community resilience projects or initiatives.

Check out the speech Lauren Johnson (CLEAR facilitator) gave to the graduating cohort of summer 2020! 

Download the CLEAR Toolkit: A Guide for Developing Community Resilience Leadership Programs.

"Before CLEAR Miami, I was concerned about the physical and emotional effects of climate change, but did not know how to implement and affect change within my community. CLEAR taught me that no voice is too small to affect change, which is how I was able to enact a hurricane disaster preparedness workshop to my 150 students through the CLEAR fellowship. I am forever grateful for the resources and opportunities CLEAR Miami gave me, especially since it helped me realize my passion of the social impacts of climate change, which I am pursuing in graduate school this fall."

"Before CLEAR Miami, I was concerned about the physical and emotional effects of climate change, but did not know how to implement and affect change within my community. CLEAR taught me that no voice is too small to affect change, which is how I was able to enact a hurricane disaster preparedness workshop to my 150 students through the CLEAR fellowship. I am forever grateful for the resources and opportunities CLEAR Miami gave me, especially since it helped me realize my passion of the social impacts of climate change, which I am pursuing in graduate school this fall."

- Lauren, CLEAR Graduate

"CLEAR taught me to think critically and gave us a platform where we otherwise wouldn’t have had one. It put us in front of people making decisions. It’s one of those opportunities you really have to take advantage of. I’ve become a better speaker and exposed myself to great opportunities."

"CLEAR taught me to think critically and gave us a platform where we otherwise wouldn’t have had one. It put us in front of people making decisions. It’s one of those opportunities you really have to take advantage of. I’ve become a better speaker and exposed myself to great opportunities."

- Naomi, CLEAR Graduate

Participants will learn to

Bring voice and power to all seats of decision-making to ensure all community voices are heard and respected

Expose and challenge how poverty and discrimination make communities vulnerable to climate change threats

Effectively advocate for practices and policies that strengthen the resilience of Miami communities

Educate community members on basic climate science, threats, and solutions

Next CLEAR Cohort

NOTE: Applications are now closed. Please check back here later for the next cohort dates!

WHEN:
September 2 - November 11, 2020
Every Wednesday for 10 weeks
6:00 – 8:00 PM

WHERE:
VIRTUAL
Link will be given to participants.

COST:
There is no fee to participate.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

• Free interpretation in Spanish or Haitian Creole available
• Open to adults and teens (14+). Teens can earn community service hours
• Youth program available for kids ages 6-13 (must have a parent/guardian in CLEAR)

CLEAR Fellowship

Do you have an idea for a project that would make your community more resilient?

The CLEAR Fellowship lasts up to 12 months. It supports and funds CLEAR program graduates on a rolling basis, either individually or in teams, to pursue local resilience projects costing up to $1,500. Participants will receive support and technical assistance to complete their projects from Catalyst Miami.

To apply: Email Mayra Cruz
mayrac@catalystmiami.org

Participants will be required to: Explore how their projects could influence local climate resilience Submit an application, project proposal, and a proposed budget Track at least three key metrics related to their projects during their project Have regular check-ins (every month at minimum) with Catalyst Miami’s Climate Resilience Program Manager Evaluate the fellowship program at the completion of their 12-month fellowship Communicate with Catalyst Miami detailing the project, lessons learned, metrics tracked, and how funds were spent for reporting purposes

Some examples of fellowship projects are: A youth climate summer camp Hosting events to organize residents around a particular policy Creating a community emergency preparedness plan Creating a rain garden to collect stormwater and reduce flooding Creating and managing a community food garden

Note: Fellowship awards are limited; selection criteria will depend on availability of funds, project feasibility, need for the project, and other factors. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.

Disaster Resilience Fellowship

Do you have an idea that will help your neighborhood better prepare or recover from a natural disaster?

The Disaster Resilience Fellowship lasts up to 12 months. It will support and fund CLEAR and CERT program graduates on a rolling basis, either individually or in teams, to pursue local projects, costing up to $1,500. The projects will improve disaster preparedness/recovery and address other neighborhood concerns in Overtown, South Dade, Hialeah, Little Haiti, and Miami Gardens. Participants will receive support and technical assistance to complete their projects from Catalyst Miami.

To apply: Zelalem Adefris
zelalema@catalystmiami.org 

Participants will be required to: Explore how their projects could influence local emergency preparedness/resilience Submit an application, project proposal, and a proposed budget Track at least three key metrics related to their projects during their project Have regular check-ins (every month at minimum) with Catalyst Miami’s Climate Resilience Program Manager Evaluate the fellowship program at the completion of their 12-month fellowship Communicate with Catalyst Miami detailing the project, lessons learned, metrics tracked, and how funds were spent for reporting purposes

Some examples of fellowship projects are: Hosting events to organize residents around a particular policy Creating a community emergency preparedness plan Building a neighborhood meeting place that can be used as a meet-up point during disasters Creating and managing a resilient community food garden Creating a neighborhood communications system

Note: Fellowship awards are limited; selection criteria will depend on availability of funds, project feasibility, need for the project, and other factors. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.