September 15, 2015
By Camilo Mejía

This past Friday marked 14 years since the September 11 attacks, an event that drastically changed the course of American foreign policy and led to a series of US military interventions throughout the Middle East. The event also changed many aspects of our lives, from people's right to due process, to widespread state surveillance, to the relationship between law enforcement agencies and the public. The Social Justice Table, a network of social justice organizations working to create social change in Miami-Dade County, in partnership with the Institute for Civic Engagement and Democracy (iCED) at Miami Dade College, hosted a panel discussion to consider all the changes that have taken place and to explore community-centered approaches that address national security while preserving people’s right to privacy and redress grievances.The panel discussion was preceded by a service component organized by iCED and largely driven by Miami-Dade College students who collected non-perishable items and assembled a PB&J sandwich line. The non-perishables were donated to Stand Down, a national organization dedicated to eradicating homelessness in the veteran community, while the PB&J sandwiches were donated to the Miami Rescue Mission, a local shelter serving the greater homeless community since 1922.

“Having a service component to benefit charity groups is a good thing,” remarked Scot Evans, professor at the University of Miami School of Education and Human Development, “… but having a service component followed by a discussion looking into why there is a need for charity is even better.”

The panel discussion that followed offered participants an overview of foreign and domestic policy changes resulting from the 9/11 attacks, looking into the rationale behind the US invasions and occupations of Afghanistan and Iraq in the context of international law, and the change in state vs public relationship as contextualized by the Patriot Act and other domestic policy changes.

Then the audience got to hear about the first-hand experiences of a local organizer who has been active in the Occupy movement in Miami and other social justice movements, such as the March Against Monsanto and the People’s Climate March. The panelists challenged participants to imagine ways to address safety and security concerns while protecting people’s right to organize and demand positive social change, and the moderator encouraged the audience to join local social justice initiatives.

As always, participants were invited to regroup at a local venue for some unstructured social networking after the panel and group discussions. Around 20 Social Justice Table partners shared food and drink and continued exchanging ideas and information at the social hour.

The next Social Justice Justice Gathering will take place on October 12 at Catalyst Miami, and will provide an opportunity for social justice partners and allies to contribute to the People’s Climate March, happening on October 14, by making signs and banners for the march while enjoying food and drink during our unstructured networking time.

For more information, contact Camilo Mejía at [email protected].

Contact: Carla Moreira Strickland

Canvassers will kick-off “Prosperity Miami” in Overtown, where they will talk to dozens of families about the services and opportunities being offered through the initiative

WHO: Service providers, organizers, canvassers, and Overtown residents

WHAT: Kick-off of “Prosperity Miami,” an initiative to offer services and to increase civic engagement in Miami-Dade County

WHERE: YWCA of Greater Miami, 351 NW 5th Street, Miami, FL

WHEN: Monday, September 14th from 2:00-6:00pm

MIAMI, Florida – On September 14, 2015, Catalyst Miami, a nonprofit organization helping families become prosperous and civically engaged, will officially kick-off “Prosperity Miami,” an initiative to offer direct services and increase civicengagement in Miami-Dade County. Catalyst Miami has partnered with South Florida Voices  for Working Families and New Florida Majority Education Fund to canvass ten neighborhoods to engage 8,000 families. The goal is two-fold: toprovide families with essential services and to connect them with opportunities to become civically active. The civic engagement opportunities include voter registration, U.S. citizenship  application, participation in leadership developmentprograms, and more.

Catalyst Miami will offer on-the-spot enrollment services at weekly Prosperity Miami neighborhood fairs, as well as health fairs, churches, job sites, school open houses, and back-to-school events in ten neighborhoods, includingCoconut 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 five-year ban on permanent residents.

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Catalyst Miami is a nonprofit organization committed to supporting families and community organizations by improving health, educational, and economic outcomes in South Florida.

New Florida Majority Education Fund is a statewide organization working to increase the voting power and influence of African Americans, Latinos, new immigrants, and working families towards a more inclusive, equitable Florida.

South Florida Voices for Working Families is a coalition of community, union and faith-based organizations working together to win improvements in the quality of life for working people in the South Florida area.

Contact: Carla Moreira Strickland

Catalyst Miami, in partnership with Goulds Park, Miami Children’s Initiative, County Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava, and County Commissioner Dennis Moss, will offer two leadership development programs this fall

MIAMI, Florida – In September, Catalyst Miami will offer two leadership development programs for individuals and families interested in growing as advocates and community leaders. Step Up Miami, a 12-week program, will be hosted in Goulds. People Empowering People, a 10-week program, will be hosted in Liberty City. The programs are open to all interested residents, with dinner and childcare provided at no cost.

Step Up Miami is a 12-week leadership development program that aims to generate a critical mass of neighborhood leaders interested in addressing poverty in Miami-Dade County. The program guides participants through an examination of current best practices in community development, the sharing of personal experiences, an exploration of diverse community development approaches, and hands-on application of problem solving strategies.

The next Step Up Miami cohort begins on Thursday, September 17, 2015 at Goulds Park, located at 11350 SW 216 Street, Miami, FL.

People Empowering People is a 10-week leadership development program with a strong community focus. Created by Cheryl Czuba, UConn Extension Educator, the PEP program builds upon individual life experiences and strengths to encourage growth in communication and problem solving skills, parent/family relationships, and community involvement.

The next People Empowering People cohort begins on Tuesday, September 29, 2015 at Charles Drew K-8 Center, located at 1775 NW 60th Street, Miami, FL.

For more information or to apply, please contact Gina Ha, Family Leadership Director at Catalyst Miami, at (786) 414-1296 or [email protected]

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Catalyst Miami is a nonprofit organization committed to supporting families and community organizations by 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.

Catalyst Miami's LEAD department seeks to cultivate grassroots leadership within our communities. Everyone can lead-–at home, in the classroom, in the community. We teach individuals how to find their voice and make a difference in their communities; and we offer training and practice opportunities for youth and adults in advocacy and public policy.

The Parent Leadership Training Institute is a 22-week leadership development training that helps parents and child advocates learn the leadership skills needed to become effective advocates for children in schools, communities, and state and local governments. During the program, participants develop projects to address community concerns. Many of these projects require funding to ensure they are successful and sustainable. Our crowd funding campaign will provide seed funding for the 2015 Parent Leadership Training Institute's community projects.

This year's cohort has developed 15 projects, including a project that will focus on developing a neighborhood clean-up committee for Little Havana and another that will fund the creation of family literacy workshops for various neighborhoods in Miami-Dade County.

Please support our leaders!

Twelve AmeriCorps members made public presentations of their learning and leadership experience.

MIAMI – On June 22 and 23, Catalyst Miami hosted the AmeriCorps Public Allies Presentations of Learning at Jungle Island in Miami. During the two-day event, twelve Public Allies made public declarations of how they made a difference in South Florida and grew as leaders before an audience of nonprofit colleagues, friends, family, and prospective Public Allies.

Speakers at this event included The Children's Trust CEO Charles Auslander, introductions from Opa-Locka Community Development Corporation, Florida Immigrant Coalition, The University of Miami, The Children's Movement of Florida, and more. Public Allies Miami received a proclamation in honor of the 8th local graduating class from Miami-Dade County Commissioner, Audrey M. Edmonson, naming Tuesday, June 23, 2015 “Public Allies Miami Day.”

Public Allies are local young adults who are devoted to making a difference in South Florida. Their 10-month apprenticeships at local nonprofit organizations allow them to hone their leadership skills while gaining meaningful professional experience. Graduating AmeriCorps Public Ally, Kareena Rozier, said, "I now have a deeper understanding of the connections that hold us together and the factors that drive us apart. Of the work I’ve done recently, I feel most confident about becoming a more committed, passionate, and engaged community member."

Public Allies' mission is to advance new leadership to strengthen communities, nonprofits and civic participation. Public Allies is changing the face and practice of leadership in communities across the country by demonstrating our conviction that everyone can lead, and that lasting social change results when citizens of all backgrounds
step up, take responsibility, and work together.

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Catalyst Miami is a nonprofit organization aiming to build a just and equitable Miami where all residents are meaningfully engaged. Our programs and services empower families and strengthen our communities. Follow us @CatalystMiami.

Contact: Carla Moreira Strickland

Twelve AmeriCorps members made public presentations of their learning and leadership experience.

MIAMI – On June 22 and 23, Catalyst Miami hosted the AmeriCorps Public Allies Presentations of Learning at Jungle Island in Miami. During the two-day event, twelve Public Allies made public declarations of how they made a difference in South Florida and grew as leaders before an audience of nonprofit colleagues, friends, family, and prospective Public Allies.

Speakers at this event included The Children's Trust CEO Charles Auslander, introductions from Opa-Locka Community Development Corporation, Florida Immigrant Coalition, The University of Miami, The Children's Movement of Florida, and more. Public Allies Miami received a proclamation in honor of the 8th local graduating class from Miami-Dade County Commissioner, Audrey M. Edmonson.

Public Allies are local young adults who are devoted to making a difference in South Florida. Their 10-month apprenticeships at local nonprofit organizations allow them to hone their leadership skills while gaining meaningful professional experience. Graduating AmeriCorps Public Ally, Kareena Rozier, said, "I now have a deeper understanding of the connections that hold us together and the factors that drive us apart. Of the work I’ve done recently, I feel most confident about becoming a more committed, passionate, and engaged community member."

Public Allies' mission is to advance new leadership to strengthen communities, nonprofits and civic participation. Public Allies is changing the face and practice of leadership in communities across the country by demonstrating our conviction that everyone can lead, and that lasting social change results when citizens of all backgrounds step up, take responsibility, and work together.

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Catalyst Miami is a nonprofit organization aiming to build a just and equitable Miami where all residents are meaningfully engaged. Our programs and services empower families and strengthen our communities. Follow us @CatalystMiami.

           If you are interested in applying for SNAP or Medicaid or any of the other services we offer, contact Catalyst Miami and schedule an appointment at (305) 576-5001. These programs are not limited to individuals enrolled in college; they are open to all individuals and families that meet the designated criteria. We are also connected with many partners who also offer great services.