(reflections from a few of this year's Public Allies in Miami)
I joined Public Allies because I wanted to give back to my community. I wanted to make my hometown a better place for the locals, beyond South Beach. Public Allies has given me a new interest and a more holistic approach to my career plans. I have made friends with people around me with a similar mindset of public service and values serving as motivation along the way and for the future.- Jennifer V
I wanted to learn more about Miami. I wanted to serve and be involved in this community. Public Allies has given me a support system, a network of lifelong friends, stronger sense of purpose and clearer goals, and resources/opportunities/ and connections. – De’Azia B.
I joined Public Allies for two reasons. I needed a job and I really wanted to aid others in becoming financially free and stable. It’s my greater belief that financial stability is essential to our mental and physical health, family upbringing and the opportunities an individual can provide for their children. Financial stability factors into numerous aspects of life and will make for a better society as more families are educated. The experience as a Public Ally has given me nonprofit experience, professional development, financial knowledge, and experience to say the least. I have also been blessed with a new set of dynamic brothers and sisters who are diverse and alike in the same. -Vaughan J.
I joined Public Allies because after completing a year of service (through CityYear), I felt that I had more to give to my community. I believe that nothing is more valuable an investment than time, so I decided to continue to give that for the betterment of Miami. Public Allies has given me LIFE! It has given me a greater look into my community from a different lens and insight into how nonprofits function. I have found a family in my cohort and am honestly unsure how I would have made it without them. -Janite P.
Join Catalyst Miami July 19 at 7:30 p.m. for our 13th Annual Theater and Awards Event, when we will honor the Health Foundation of South Florida for 20 years of helping youth bloom, as well as Genie Langan, a pioneer educator at Mater Academy. All proceeds from ticket sales benefit Public Allies Miami. Read more here.
One of the great things about working at Catalyst Miami is that people from a myriad of backgrounds and at all different places in their life are here working together for the same cause. From student interns to retired professionals giving back, we're not short on diversity! Today we want to highlight some of our newest family members who are part of ReServe Miami, a program that matches professional who are 55+ with service opportunities. These ReServists have a wealth of experience and talents and are using them in their work with Catalyst Miami's Prosperity Campaign, which matches low- to moderate-income people with public benefits and financial literacy training to help them thrive.
Miltoria Fordham recently retired after serving nine years as the President & CEO of Partners for Self Employment, Inc. a local nonprofit. She has served on various nonprofit boards and has tremendous experience in nonprofit strategic planning, management, development and organization. She is the former Executive Director of the Martin Luther King Development Corporation. Currently, she is President of the Board of the Community Action Agency Foundation which provides financial support and in-kind contribution to various programs operated by Miami-Dade County Community Action and Human Services Department. Miltoria is also a member of Booker T. Washington Alumni Association which provides support for low-income and homeless students and the school with financial and in-kind support and in-kind contributions.
As a practicing attorney, Harvey Goldman has worked with some of the most prestigious firms in Miami- Greenberg Traurig and Holland and Knight. He specialized in corporate law, securities, venture capital, IPO's and mergers and acquisitions. His volunteer experience is equally impressive - President and Chairman of American Heart Assn., Vice President of WPBT, Vice President and Board member of Miami City Ballet. He has also taught at the University of Miami Law School.
Lovita Richardson is a continuing professional who has years of experience working in group therapy and behavioral therapy settings. She currently works with the Dade Correctional Institution in Florida City as a Behavioral Health Technician where she was responsible for implementing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and monitoring the progress of inmates. Lovita has also worked as a Program Coordinator with Dress For Success where she was in charge of recruiting, mobilizing and partnering with volunteers and coordinating projects.
Maggie Butler has an MBA from Columbia University in Finance & Marketing as well as a MPH from Columbia University. She is an accomplished educator, manager, and leader whose staff and students are able to maintain high levels of interest, performance and achievement. Currently, she is Board Secretary of the "Active Seniors in the Key" group, which plans and executes a wide range of programs to support the needs of the 60+ population on the island. She is also a very effective communicator with strong financial and analytical skills. She is bilingual and bicultural in English and Spanish.
Catalyst Miami is proud to be a part of the lives of the many passionate people who work with us as interns, AmeriCorps members and volunteers. This week we are spotlighting former intern Bryan Troupe.
"I was extremely interested in the different programs I came across at Catalyst Miami. I began envisioning the enormous amount of positive change that could be made in communities and how ‘real’ voice could be given to citizens. My internship experience with Catalyst Miami allowed me to realize that there was a different way to make positive change in communities and among citizens.
Catalyst Miami is a huge part of the reason I changed my major to Public Administration –and I haven’t doubted my decision since. I now want to create a nonprofit agency, which includes a multitude of programs for things such as education and healthy eating. After I obtain my degree, I will be able to start on my goal."
-Bryan Troupe, Former Intern with Catalyst Miami
Each year the members of Public Allies Miami develop Team Service Projects (TSPs) in order to complete their year of service. These TSPs are an opportunity for the Allies to learn about a particular community within Miami and strategize ways they can help strengthen that community. This post was contributed by the Little Havana TSP group as a reflection on their project and an invitation to join them in celebrating the neighborhood of Little Havana.
Over the past nine months, Los Allies Unidos--the AmeriCorps Public Allies in Little Havana--have been connecting with community leaders and stakeholders to create a unique and lasting project in Little Havana. During this time, they have practiced Asset-Based Community Development and focused on building a stronger community from the inside out. They were happy to find assets everywhere: in community-based organizations, informal associations and individuals.
Emerging from this focus on community voices, Los Allies Unidos began developing a project that would bring folks together for a common cause, while creating a forum for public discussion. Their project, Little Havana MOVES, will kick off with a community mapping event where residents and non-residents document their journeys through the neighborhood and note areas of pedestrian concern. While exploring Little Havana, participants will record stories and issues facing the community. The workshop and move-about will take place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Domino Park/ Maximo Gomez Park on Saturday, June 8.
Through this activity, Los Allies Unidos seek to boost residents' resources, knowledge and impact to create a culture of neighborhood and pedestrian safety. Following the mapping event, Little Havana MOVES will host a forum for visual and oral storytelling.
Los Allies Unidos are excited to partner with ConnectFamilias, Catalyst Miami and other community-based organizations to co-create this unique project in the community.
By: Cheryl Mizell, Communications Director
Just 3 days until Catalyst Miami's 11th Annual Theatre Event!
The Southeastern premiere of “Masked” is scheduled for 7:30 pm, Friday, July 8th at GableStage at the Biltmore.
MASKED, "an explosive Israeli play about three Palestinian brothers locked in a life-and-death struggle over issues of deception and betrayal," sparks an insightful dialogue between Jewish and Muslim communities.
The opening reception features two faith leaders from the South Florida community at center stage, Rabbi Mitch Chefitz, Scholar-in-Residence at Temple Israel and Imam Dr. Nasir Ahmad of Mosque Masjid Al-Ansar, offering inter-denominational prayers that ground the audience's emotions and passion soon to be stirred by the play.
This eleven year tradition between Catalyst Miami and GableStage attracts and pays tribute to South Florida's finest philanthropic and civic leaders such as John Anzivino, this year's honoree, while engaging the audience in thought provoking entertainment
A cocktail reception with invited cast members immediately follows at the piano bar in the adjacent Biltmore Hotel.
Good afternoon Catalyst Miami blog readers! I hope you celebrated a beautiful 4th of July weekend with your loved ones!
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| VIVIANA MAURI |
My name is Viviana Mauri, and I serve Catalyst Miami as their Communications Intern, one of my main duties being as Editor and Intern Liaison for this blog. Each day, I work closely with Communications Director, Cheryl Mizell, to ensure that all of the organization's incredible accomplishments, advancements, and hot news reach the South Florida community in the most exciting and effective ways.
During my internship, I have taken on projects I feel confident will prepare me for all types of future professional endeavors. During my experience thus far, I have learned to write press releases, researched Catalyst Miami's history in the media, assisted meetings regarding the re-branding and transition of Catalyst Miami from Human Services Coalition, video-taped two full days of Public Allies' Presentations of Learning, all while always making sure that Catalyst Miami's official social media pages are not only up to date, but in perfect sync. In my experience at Catalyst Miami, I have truly covered all grounds of communications.
A graduate of Young Women's Preparatory Academy's Class of 2010, I became a Posse Foundation Scholar to Mount Holyoke College. Currently a rising sophomore at MHC, I major in Romance Languages and Cultures, concentrating in Italian and French, and minor in Journalism, Media, and Public Discourse. During my freshman year at Mount Holyoke, I launched an on-campus radio show with good friend, aspiring sex-therapist and talk show host, Crystal Reed, called, "Crystal and Vivi After Dark." I plan to continue working with WMHC 91.5 FM South Hadley, as a Radio Host and as their new Promotions Director for 2011-2012.
Learning about the steps to re-branding Catalyst Miami is currently undertaking is knowledge I will apply to my new position at the station, as I hope to re-introduce WMHC to the Mount Holyoke student body in a more new, bold, and modern way this school year. I am also involved with my campus' newspaper, The MHNews, where I work as Assistant Editor to the Arts and Entertainment Section. One of my most exciting articles this past year as Staff Writer was a detailed coverage of the pop culture moment of year: The Royal Wedding.
I aspire to become a Broadcast Journalist, and envision myself pursuing a Masters in Television and Radio Broadcasting.
I would love to hear your feedback on the Catalyst Miami official blog, so please, do not hesitate to comment below or let me know what you're thinking via Twitter! Tweet me personally @VivianaMauri and if you haven't already done so, please FOLLOW Catalyst Miami on Twitter @CatalystMiami and LIKE the organization on Facebook for the latest updates!
Miltoria Fordham recently retired after serving nine years as the President & CEO of Partners for Self Employment, Inc. a local nonprofit. She has served on various nonprofit boards and has tremendous experience in nonprofit strategic planning, management, development and organization. She is the former Executive Director of the Martin Luther King Development Corporation. Currently, she is President of the Board of the Community Action Agency Foundation which provides financial support and in-kind contribution to various programs operated by Miami-Dade County Community Action and Human Services Department. Miltoria is also a member of Booker T. Washington Alumni Association which provides support for low-income and homeless students and the school with financial and in-kind support and in-kind contributions.
Emerging from this focus on community voices, Los Allies Unidos began developing a project that would bring folks together for a common cause, while creating a forum for public discussion. 
