MIAMI CHILDREN’S INITIATIVE COMMUNITY & COLLEGE & CAREER PROGRAM REPORT
SUBMITTED TO THE FUNDERS COLLABORATIVE Period covered: May 1 – May 31, 2018
Program Overview To support residents breaking a cycle of poverty MCI’s Community Advocates meet with families to link them to services which improve their ability to overcome the many challenges faced. Impact Zone residents have been linked by MCI advocates to after care programs for their children, one- on- one student tutoring, employment services, mental health services, legal services, parenting classes, expungement and sealing information, Medicaid and Food Stamps, Early Learning Programs, food bank items, health services, transportation, furniture acquisition, bus pass distributions, career clothing closet, and GED programs. In addition, families are provided opportunities to partake in the many MCI community events which include uniform distribution, Thanksgiving celebrations, turkey giveaways, holiday toy giveaways, community field trips, cultural celebrations, and much more. Community members are also empowered to address issues concerning them through the 3 resident’s councils created in the fall of 2016. MCI operates 2 Community Space’s which are the HUB of services for the community team. The Community Space is a center in which residents can meet with each other to discuss issues in the community, meet with their family advocate, meet with a career/college advisor, enroll in early learning programs, utilize the computer lab, copying, printing, and faxing services, do homework, apply for college/jobs, acquire items from the food pantry, or just come in for cup of coffee.
MCI’s Community Engagement | Number of Visits by Residents to the Community Spaces in May 2018 Annie Coleman Community Space
Lincoln Fields Community Space
426
72
Community Efforts May was an amazing month for the Annie Coleman community space as MCI began preparations for our summer programming and services. This month, MCI partnered with Keller Williams, Estee Lauder, and K & L Gates for days of services which helped positively impact the community. Commissioner Audrey Edmonson also provided the residents with a Mother’s Day cake for the mothers in the community.
On May 10th, 2018, members from the real estate company, Keller Williams, volunteered to repaint the garbage receptacles throughout the community which were outlined with positive affirmations on them. They also repainted the front and back doors of residents’ homes, making them look refreshed and vibrant.
On May 11th, 2018, members from the cosmetics company, Estee Lauder, repainted the performance area of the Promise Street Playground. They also spent time with children in our afterschool program and participated in our Fun Friday activities.
On May 16, 2018, members from K&L Gates law firm volunteered with children in the afterschool program by providing one-onone homework assistance and engaging them in a variety of fun activities.
In total this month, MCI welcomed 51 volunteers to help improve the look of the Anne Colman community, engage in positive interaction with residents, and spend time engaging the children in Project Promise. The time they spent with MCI was very enjoyable and the staff and residents look forward to hosting each of these groups again.
Transportation Program One of the many barriers facing our residents is a lack of transportation. To address this issue MCI has partnered with Miami Dade County Transit Authority to offer daily, weekly, and monthly bus passes to our children and families free of charge. In May, MCI distributed 64 bus passes to its residents. Furthermore, MCI has been empowering our qualifying residents to receive a free annual bus pass from Miami Dade County, which is valued at $1,350 per pass. To date, 26 MCI residents have received an Annual Bus Pass, which amounts to $35,100 that residents have saved on transportation. Lincoln Fields Community Space This month, we enrolled 22 children between the ages of 7 and 14 into several summer camps. We also linked teenagers to summer internship opportunities throughout Miami-Dade county. On May 23rd, MCI held it’s 2nd Women’s Meeting where women from the Lincoln-Fields community expressed their concerns about issues in the community, possible solutions, and the activities they would like to bring into the community such as yoga and Zumba classes.
On May 24th, MCI assisted with the “Watch Party” of two 8th graders from Lincoln-Fields. They received much attention from the community as we rolled out the red carpet for them and sent them off to their prom with a bouquet of balloons and flash photography. On May 25th, 2 residents participated in our monthly food co-op that took place the last Friday of every month. Participation decreased this month due the rainy weather. We continued to provide homework assistance and tutoring for the students in Lincoln-Fields. In total, 72 children and adults benefited from our services this month. Career & Continuing Education Program Program Overview There is enormous talent in Liberty City, and the Career Development Program seeks to unlock the potential in its residents by supporting them as they pursue their career objectives and earn a living wage. MCI seeks to accomplish these goals by helping residents secure employment and continue with their education. MCI works one-on-one with residents seeking employment by assisting with resume creation, job search, job placements by securing partnerships with employers, sourcing professional attire, interview prep, facilitating the seal/expunge process and transportation. In order to secure employment, many residents need financial support in order to comply with employer requirements. Such expenses include background check, state ID and uniforms. In addition, some of the residents we serve are pursuing certifications such as childcare, security and those in the medical field. MCI would like to assist with these expenses since they very often prevent candidates from getting the job at hand. With respect to education, MCI supports residents who are pursuing their GED, a college degree and a range of trainings that will make them more competitive to earn higher wages. MCI will be launching a GED program in 2017 at the Community Space. In September 2016, MCI launched its college track program to shepherd students through the registration process at Miami Dade College as well as provide them with support and mentorship while they are in school. MCI has also partnered with Year Up at MDC, a program that addresses the opportunity divide by empowering young adults to reach their potential through professional careers and higher education. Career Development Program – May Report 2018 May was a very productive month for the Career Development Program. MCI’s Career Development Specialists met with residents 210 times during the month. Other accomplishments for the month are highlighted below. Career Development Program | Total Number of Meetings with Residents 210 Total May Total May Total May Jobs Total Residents Total Resume’s 1 Interviews Accepted Currently Created in May Offers Working 29 19 20 26 126
Job Fair(s) Location: Starbucks Miami International Airport Date: May 4 Total Job Fairs Total Residents Attended Job Fair Jobs Secured through Job Fairs Youth Outreach 16-24 Report May 2018 30 Total Individuals
1 1 1
Data Analysis
Percentages
12 currently enrolled High School 13 with High School Diploma 5 with no High School Diploma
40% 43% 16%
2 current college students
7%
15 individuals employed or in education al institution 15 individuals not employed or in educational institution 14 of total in educational institution 7 of total not employed & not in educational institution 23 of total employed or enrolled in educational Institution
50 % 50 % 46% 23% 77%
The four students pictured above interviewed at Haulover Park and obtained employment at their local Parks Department.