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COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS FACE IMPENDING FUNDING CUTS

Posted on News Room · October 28, 2014 8:00 PM

By: James Gordon


On Wednesday morning, representatives from various Community Based Organizations (CBOs) from all over Miami gathered before the Miami-Dade County Finance Committee to make a case against impending funding cuts. In accordance with Florida law, each representative was given a total of one minute to defend the value of their respective organizations and make a plea for continued funding. Though the many CBOs present were varied in their causes and missions, they were united in their message; the work that CBOs do is vital to creating a more equitable and thriving community and continued funding is essential to making their missions possible.

The various CBOs in attendance made their statements in response to a letter sent out on June 20th by Commissioner Dennis Moss in which he warned of coming budget cuts. In his letter, Moss suggests that the prevailing attitude towards CBOs is generally negative.  He goes on to suggest that the supposed poor performance of some organizations “leaves the impression that the county is wasting money funding [these] groups,” thus making them more vulnerable to budget cuts. He concludes his letter by urging CBOs to attend Wednesday’s meeting in order to advocate for themselves and shift the tone of the conversation in their favor.
So now, in addition to the transformative and meaningful work that they do despite scarce funding and limited resources, these groups must come before a committee to defend the value of their work and essentially beg for continued funding. The many CBOs present at Wednesday’s meeting represented a large range of important and pressing causes, including poverty, accessible healthcare, education and elder care. One by one, the CBO representatives stood before Chairman Esteban Bovo, each making a rushed argument against the proposed budget cuts. The overarching message was clear: the committee should be very careful not to undervalue the work that these CBOs do. Though budget cuts may prove an unfortunate reality in this time of limited funding, our commissioners must make their difficult decisions with respect for the incredible work being done to better our community and an awareness of the impact that their actions will have on the citizens they were elected to represent. As one CBO representative notably pleaded, the committee must make these cuts with a scalpel, not a butcher knife.

Fast Food Workers Rise

Posted on News Room · October 27, 2014 8:00 PM

By: James Gordon

On May 15, protestors in Miami gathered around a local McDonald’s and Wendy’s to partake in a nationwide strike in support of higher pay and fairer working conditions for fast food workers. The one-day strike was part of a rapidly growing campaign that is gaining both national and international traction, with 150 U.S. cities and 30 countries having partaken in walkout according to Salon’s Josh Eidelson.  Since the fast food industry saw its first significant worker strike in New York City in November of 2012, the demands of the campaign have been consistent and uncompromising, calling for an increase in the minimum pay to $15 per hour and the right to unionize without retaliation.
With a struggling economy and a highly competitive job market, more and more workers are turning towards the fast food industry for employment in order to support themselves and their families. As the demographic amongst fast food workers shifts, the industry must be able to accommodate and meet the changing needs of its workers. A report by the Center for Economic and Policy Research reveals that that the majority of fast food workers are in fact 25 years or older—not teenaged high school students as common misperception might hold.  Furthermore, of the percentage of non-teenaged workers, about 85 percent of them hold at least a high school degree. The pay range for the large majority of these workers falls between the federal minimum wage of $7.15 per hour and $10.10 per hour. For a fast food worker working full-time, the lower end of this pay range puts them just above the poverty line of $11,670 as determined by the Office of the Assistant for Planning and Evaluation. However, one must keep in mind that this guideline is the standard for single person households while more than a third of workers over the age of 20 are raising at least one child. If the minimum pay increases to $15 per hour, a full-time employee would make about $30,000 per year. There is a great disparity between the current average wage being earned, the wage workers are advocating for, and the wage they should be earning—$22 an hour— had the minimum wage adjusted to meet inflation. This discrepancy underscores just how necessary a minimum wage increase is, and how it is still far from where it should be for it to fully meet the financial realities of today’s workers.
To the satisfaction of many supporters of raising the minimum wage, McDonald’s CEO Don Thompson appears to have heard his workers’ call for change. According to a report by the Chicago Tribune, Thompson recently announced during a talk at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management last month that he would support a bill backed by President Obama that would raise the federal minimum wage to $10.10. This bold and promising statement by Thompson marks a huge victory for fast food workers, signifying that their voices are being heard. Though $10.10 is not quite the $15 being demanded by our fast food workers, it is certainly a step in the right direction towards promoting economic equality and financial sustainability for our workers.

NCRC documentary "Fleeced: Speaking Out Against Senior Financial Fraud" receives a regional Emmy award

Posted on News Room · October 26, 2014 8:00 PM
Catalyst Miami would like to congratulate our partner, National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC), and everyone involved in producing the award-winning documentary Fleeced: Speaking Out Against Senior Financial Fraud. Special recognition goes to Kim Jacobs, the multi Emmy award winning producer of Fleeced, and Clayton Taylor, Executive Producer of WFYI Productions.
 
Fleeced received a regional Emmy award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Science of the  Lower Great Lakes Regional Chapter last Saturday, June 7th.  Fleeced was  awarded the Emmy in the category Public/Current/ and Community Affairs, and beat out six other finalists.  The link for the announcement is http:///www.nataslgl.org/index.php. The Fleeced distribution policy and process will be released shortly.  
 
 
 
Fleeced: Speaking Out Against Senior Financial Abuse reveals what can happen to older adults when they are targeted for scams and abusive financial products. This documentary collaboration from the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) and WFYI Public Media, funded with generous support from the Atlantic Philanthropies, presents real stories about the financial abuse of older adults. The film also reveals how they are fighting back, and becoming powerful advocates for themselves and others to help change the current landscape of economic security for older Americans.
Presented by:
    

Groups Release Information to Help Immigrant Students Take Advantage of New College Tuition Law

Posted on News Room · October 25, 2014 8:00 PM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 10, 2014
Contact:
Apreill Hartsfield, Southern Poverty Law Center, (334) 782-6624;apreill.hartsfield@splcenter.org
 
Natalia Jaramillo, Florida Immigrant Coalition, (786) 317-3524;Natalia@floridaimmigrant.org
Groups Release Information to Help Immigrant Students
Take Advantage of New College Tuition Law
                                                                                              
MIAMI – The Southern Poverty Law Center and the Florida Immigrant Coalition released information today that will help immigrant students take full advantage of a new state law that makes them eligible for in-state college tuition rates even if they were brought to the United States without papers.
Earlier this week, Gov. Rick Scott signed H.B. 851 into law, making the dream of a college education closer to reality for these rising entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders. Students who believe they may benefit from the law are urged to find more information about the requirements by visiting the websites of the Southern Poverty Law Center’s (SPLC) or the Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC).
“Rather than punish them for something beyond their control, Florida has chosen to help these students become integrated members of our communities and better contribute to our state’s thriving economy,” said Manoj Govindaiah, an SPLC staff attorney. “We want to be sure these students have the tools they need to take full advantage of the law’s benefits.”
The information includes guidance about how and when the law applies, along with answers to other frequently asked questions.
“Expanding access to college is a win-win for Florida’s families and our economy. Young people can now, not only dream about what they can become, but actually have a chance at achieving it. After spending years fighting anti-immigrant bills, we welcome this change. It is good to see leadership recognize the value of our current and potential contributions as immigrants in Florida” said Maria Rodriguez, of Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC).
The SPLC has long championed the rights of immigrant students across the Deep South by challenging policies that needlessly punish them for being brought to the United States as children.
In Florida, an SPLC lawsuit blocked a policy that forced the children of undocumented immigrants to pay out-of-state tuition rates even when they were U.S. citizens born and raised in the state. A federal judge found in 2012 that the policy violated the U.S. Constitution, clearing the way for these students to attend college at affordable rates. H.B. 851 further expands meaningful access to Florida’s colleges and universities to immigrant students, allowing them to reach their full potential, and allowing Florida to benefit from these students’ ingenuity and creativity. The SPLC also helped students in other states and blocked policies targeting children of undocumented immigrants in Alabama and South Carolina.
The Florida Immigrant Coalition has been instrumental in investing and emboldening young immigrants known as Dreamers. FLIC began its fight for tuition equity over a decade ago.  As recently as 2011, FLIC successfully pushed back against anti-immigrant legislation.  After supporting the implementation of the bill to insure its full utilization, the organization will set its sights on ensuring that all Floridians have equal access to driver’s licenses, regardless of status.
The groups plan to reach out to students across the state who may be eligible for in-state tuition rates. A copy of the materials can be viewed at http://sp.lc/1hBu1SE. 
###

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We moved! Please note the new address below.
 
Francesca Menes | Policy and Advocacy Coordinator | Coordinator, Florida Wage Theft Task Force
Florida Immigrant Coalition, Inc. (FLIC) 
2800 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 800, Miami, FL 33137
For the Fair Treatment of Everyone | www.floridaimmigrant.org | http://flimmigrant.wordpress.com/

“A message from the D.C. area nonprofit community” - The Washington Post, May 25

Posted on News Room · October 24, 2014 8:00 PM
“A message from the D.C. area nonprofit community”
The Washington Post - Published: May 25
The below signatories are executives of Washington DC area nonprofits representing social service, advocacy, and sector infrastructure organizations.
The views expressed in this letter do not represent official positions of individual organizations, but rather a shared perspective of the sector.
 
Several months ago, we convened for the first time as a group of regional nonprofit leaders. Our intent was to exchange mutual support and ideas in the service of the social missions that we represent and about which we care deeply. What we found in each other’s company was far more profound and challenging than we expected.
 
In this year when we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s well-known speech and recalling his exhortation to create and nurture a “beloved community,” and in this time when we are so starkly aware of income inequality and its effects, we found ourselves compelled to speak out publicly.
 
With the extreme proliferation of nonprofits over the past three decades, we are acutely aware of one central idea: All of us with a social mission were created with the intent to put ourselves out of business. But how far have we really come? How much have we actually achieved? What could we do differently to advance our shared purposes?
 
We represent organizations that address everything from homelessness to racial equity to education, health care and beyond. What we desire for D.C. and our region is extremely bold and entirely uncomplicated.
 
We envision a community where everyone — regardless of race, class, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability or any other status — has equal access to education, health care, housing, safety, civic participation, employment, income and dignity. We envision a community characterized by compassion and informed by the impulse of love.
 
In the service of this shared vision, we are asking ourselves some critical and difficult questions. For all of you who participate in the philanthropic life of our region, we respectfully request that you join us by asking yourselves these questions as well:
 
Are we willing to address fundamental causes and advocate for change beyond our organizations’ issue interests?
 
Can we be completely open to new ideas such as merger, acquisition, consolidation, closure or partnership if and when they are better vehicles for promoting our vision and missions?
 
Can we deepen our commitment to empowering individuals, families and communities by permitting greater self-determination and control of resources and programs?
 
Are we willing to change our sector’s name? Wouldn’t it be more accurate to call our nonprofit community the “Social Profits” sector since collectively we are creating “social value”?
 
What would it take to finally change our very own mind-sets — and that of our employees, volunteers, public and private funders, individual donors and contributors — from the notion of “charity” to the notion of “investment”?
Are we willing to take the radical step of demanding that our sector report on how and where the notion of “love and compassion” fits into our work?
 
We know that our sector has significant influence and capacity in our communities. Just consider the size, scale and impact of the 13 mission-driven organizations that we lead every day. Though they comprise less than 1 percent of all nonprofit groups in the metropolitan D.C. area, our organizations provide direct service to more than 32,500 individuals, advocacy for social justice for more than 600,000 residents, and policy and technical assistance for hundreds of nonprofit groups. If our groups were incorporated as a single for-profit business, the company would be considered a major employer with more than 1,400 employees (a workforce larger than Wal-Mart’s or Starbucks’ operations in D.C.), 5,100 volunteers and nearly $108 million in total revenue. We operate 54 program sites in the region and participate in more than 235 partnerships and collaborations.
 
Why should you, public and private funders, corporations and foundations, and individual donors invest in the Washington region’s “social profit” sector?
 
First, the business case for such investment is quite clear and measurable. Investing in education, health care, housing and other community services leads to direct savings for governments and taxpayers (fewer social services required) and greater revenue (high-functioning citizens contribute more taxes).
 
Second and more important, as individual members of a community, we have an inherent responsibility — a social compact, if you will — to one another. Whether we are motivated by faith, compassion, or other personal reason, we are all part of something larger than ourselves. We call that community and strive for equality, justice and inclusion in the life of such community.
 
We provide. We advocate. We matter. We are working on behalf of a better and more “beloved” community. We aim to be true to the ultimate intent of our missions and fearless in our willingness to change or adapt as we seek to “put ourselves out of business.”
 
Don Blanchon, executive director, Whitman-Walker Health ●Jack McCarthy, chief executive, AppleTree Institute ● Julie Chapman, chief executive, 501c TECH ● Julie Meyer, executive director, Next Step Public Charter School ● Kim Perry, executive director, DC Vote ● Lecester Johnson, executive director, Academy of Hope ● Russ Snyder, chief executive, Volunteers of America Chesapeake ● Schroeder Stribling, executive director, N-Street Village ● Scott Schenkelberg,chief executive, Miriam’s Kitchen ● Suzanne LaPorte, president, Compass ●Tamara Smith, executive director, YWCA National Capital Area ● Diana Leon-Taylor, chief executive, Nonprofit Roundtable ● Glenn O’Gilvie, chief executive, Center for Nonprofit Advancement ● Heather Kaye, founder, Leadership Sanctuary

Audubon Society Petitions Against Filling Biscayne Bay for MLS Soccer Stadium

Posted on News Room · October 23, 2014 8:00 PM

The Audubon Society recommend the following steps six action steps be taken today to prevent filling in the Biscayne Bay slip for use as a soccer stadium.
Mayor Gimenez recently offered David Beckham the FEC boat slip on Biscayne Bay as an Alternative Site for his proposed soccer stadium. This site is now preferred site for the MLS Soccer Stadium.

Having soccer is great for Miami, however we shouldn't have to fill the bay to play professional soccer. We need to better protect public land over private interests! Help us preserve the bay for future generations!

There are six simple ways you can help:

1)  Sign the Petition  to "Stop the Proposed Building of an MLS Soccer Stadium on Biscayne Blvd at Museum Park," directed at County Mayor Gimenez, City Mayor Regalado and District Commissioner Marc Sarnoff. http://www.thepetitionsite.com/101/420/637/stop-the-proposed-building-of-a-mls-soccer-stadium-on-biscayne-blvd-at-museum-park/

2) Email and call the  Miami City Commissioners

3) Email and call County  Mayor Gimenez and City of Miami  Mayor Regalado, and urge them to choose a stadium site that does not require filling Biscayne Bay!

4) Occupy Museum Park on June 14th by utilizing it as a public space: enjoying picnicking, kayaking, boating, etc by the boat slip.  


5) Sign up for the Biscayne Bay Coalition and amplify the voice of the bay! For more information, please contact Biscayne Bay Coalition Coordinator Susan Shapiro 

6) Vote NO on filling the deepwater FEC Boat Slip to build a soccer stadium at the upcoming Elections!  
Watch TAS's Executive Director comment on this issue on Channel 7 News . Please  read our talking points and our letteron the latest proposed soccer stadium site. 

Link to Tropical Audubon Society E-Blast        

Emerge Americas Techweek draws 220 companies, 115 startups

Posted on News Room · October 22, 2014 8:00 PM

By: Emon Reiser

Booting up with 6,000 attendees - 1,000 more than initially expected - the eMerge Americas Techweek concluded Tuesday with organizers and attendees lauding the convention that drew tech innovators and investors from throughout the U.S., the Caribbean and Latin America.
"We really saw this as an opportunity to get involved in what will begin to evolve into a technology wave," said Sherrie Porter, Senior Vice President of Miami-based EWM Realty.

This is the Start it up network for teaching entrepreneurship bubble. From May 2-6, attendees representing startups and businesses and tech enthusiasts gathered at the Miami Beach Convention Center for the event, which is slated to become an annual fixture in the city to help cement South Florida as an international tech hub. The convention touted more than 200 participating companies and 115 startups this year.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Breakfast With The Business Journal - Boca Raton
MAY 12, 2016
2016 Influential Business Women Awards
MAY 20, 2016
2016 Healthiest Employers Awards & Health Fair
JUNE 02, 2016

The conference was the brainchild of businessman Manny Medina, former owner of Terremark Worldwide, who said he experienced firsthand the lack of support needed to nurture a burgeoning technology business in South Florida, early in his career. “This particular idea came to me out of frustration because running a publicly traded technology company out of Miami, or South Florida, is just challenging because Miami is not seen as a technology hub,” Medina said. “I wanted to do something where we helped change that.”

Medina said many attendees were impressed by the substantive content the events' 150 speakers brought to Miami’s burgeoning technology conversation .
One of the speakers was José A. Quiñonez, Executive Director of San Francisco-based Mission Asset Fund. He was invited to speak at eMerge on his company’s social lending product Lending Circles, started to offer better financing options for low-income citizens through technology. Quiñonez said more than 65 attendees from different organizations met him at the convention, where MAF signed an official partnership agreement with the nonprofit Catalyst Miami.

“We’re going to be doing the program with them initially and then we’re going to be looking for other organizations to add to the mix,” Quiñonez said. “We came to meet the local folks and we got the chance to meet other foundation heads like the Knight Foundation. Everybody was at the table, as it were. “
Along with the 220 participating companies that networked at the convention, events included the Startup Village, where more than 115 startups from around the globe had tables and networked on the convention floor and a Launch Competition, where the top startup companies presented and competed for $150,000 in prizes. Tech enthusiasts also competed for $30,000 with ideas to help solve problems in emerging markets.

Young entrepreneurs participated in the convention's Youth Biz Plan Challenge and the youth business expo. Attendee Kristy Vale, a senior in high school, represented her family's business, Phantom's Custom Bikes. Vale said that with only an hour at the convention Tuesday, she had already connected with a local motorcycle company. "People are really taking advantage of this opportunity, especially young people," said Patricia Peña, social media specialist for the Weston-based tech marketing firm Optime Consulting. Medina said the events exceeded his expectations, but that plans for next year will include improvements. “Miami is the unofficial capital of Latin America for everything except for technology. What we’re trying to do here is by creating this gathering to spark what is already happening,” Medina said. “You have a lot of incubators, a lot of accelerators, a lot of startups, but we brought this massive amount of people here to accelerate that.”

Catalyst Miami to Launch Lending Circles Program

Posted on News Room · October 21, 2014 8:00 PM
With founding support from the JPMorgan Chase Foundation, Catalyst Miami announces that it will soon launch an innovative social lending program which will help financially excluded communities of Miami-Dade County gain access to the financial mainstream. Catalyst Miami’s Lending Circles program will help consumers under-served by traditional banking institutions build credit, develop sound spending habits, and receive financial coaching.
The Lending Circles program will focus on formalizing social lending circles popular in many of the immigrant communities of Miami-Dade County. Participants in the program will have the opportunity to connect to the formal banking sector while building savings, establishing credit scores, or repairing damaged scores. By the end of the program participants will have both credit histories and savings which can be used for anything from the seed capital needed to form a new business to a simple desire to build savings.
Catalyst Miami will work closely with participants to help them reach their financial goals by offering financial coaching services such as credit counseling and family budgeting, in addition to benefits enrollment, tax services, and career services.
For more information please contact:

Terry Tasker, 786-527-2574, [email protected]

Funded by:

 

Asset & Opportunity Network: House Committee Attacks Financial Protection

Posted on News Room · October 20, 2014 8:00 PM

House Committee Attacks Financial Protection

Refute unfounded stories that the CFPB is hurting consumers.

Despite having proven its worth as an effective watchdog for public interest, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is under attack. Last week, the House Committee on Financial Services released an online survey asking people to weigh in with stories about how the CFPB is hurting the public. These unfounded claims suggest that business as usual in Washington is best for America. We know the real value of consumer financial protection. We need to tell those stories!

As our partners at Americans for Financial Reform put it in their announcement, “We can’t let the industry win. What the Committee should hear is the real story about financial abuses that impact Americans.”
Do you have 5 minutes?
If so, share a story about how the CFPB has helped you or the clients you serve. The CFPB is a positive force in the financial marketplace, so please take a moment and tell the House Committee the side of the story it doesn’t want to hear.
Thank you for all you do to protect consumers in the financial marketplace, today and every day.

Want to share your story with us or send other feedback? Email [email protected].

Make sure you receive e-mail updates from the Assets & Opportunity Network. 
Add [email protected] to your approved senders list.

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CFED Released an Assets & Opportunities Scorecard for Florida

Posted on News Room · October 19, 2014 8:00 PM
Nearly Half of Florida Households 
Are One Crisis Away from Financial Devastation 
Our score is better but we are not in the clear. Our score moved from last year's 47 to 39, however for the indicators related to overall Health of Florida's residents we are a woeful 49!
"Despite an improving national economy, 48.7% of Florida households are in a 
persistent state of financial insecurity, according to a report released today by the Corporation for Enterprise Development (CFED). The report also found that state policies are doing little to improve the financial security of Floridians."
Key Findings:
  • The average college debt for students graduating increased 8% from $27,150 in 2011 to $29,400 in 2012.
  • As student loan debt increased, so did the student loan default rate. Fifteen percent of borrowers in 2012 defaulted on their student loans within three years of starting repayment, up from 13% in 2011.
  • The percent of employees participating in employer-provided retirement plans continued to decline from 47% in 2007 to 44% in 2012.
  • Although the racial wealth gap narrowed slightly between 2010 and 2011, households of color still fall far behind white households. They have approximately one-tenth the median net worth of white households ($12,377 and $110,637, respectively) and are considerably less likely to own a home.
  • The homeownership rate for households of color is 26 percentage points lower than the rate for white households (46% and 72%, respectively).
  • Only eight states (Maryland, New York, Maine, New Jersey, Connecticut, Washington, Minnesota and Rhode Island) have adopted 50% or more of the 67 policies that can support family financial security. Meanwhile, seven states (Idaho, Missouri, South Dakota, Alabama, Alaska, Mississippi and Wyoming) have adopted fewer than one-quarter of the policies.