Trust Insider
March 2017
Cultivating Strong Leaders for Tomorrow, Today
The Trust's Youth Advisory Committee honed its advocacy skills at the capital.
The Children's Trust Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) recently traveled to Tallahassee to tour the capital, meet with legislators and take part in several youth advocacy events.

Coinciding with Children's Week, when thousands of child and family advocates from across the state convene to lobby on behalf of critical issues such as education, literacy and health care, this year the YAC-ers' annual trip to our seat of government saw them attending town hall meetings and news conferences, and presenting their own dynamic and very well-received Children's Week workshop on youth and gun violence.

The Youth Advisory Committee is a leadership development program made up of high school students from all areas of the county. Members work together through service learning projects to engender positive change in themselves, their communities and the world.

Real Talk, Real Solutions: Addressing Gun Violence in Miami-Dade 
Reverend Al Sharpton connects with Children's Trust staffer Gus Barreiro.
The Children's Trust joined members of the clergy, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Miami-Dade Police, the Dade County State Attorney's Office and local activists for "Fighting Crime through Spirituality," yet another step taken to address youth and gun violence in the county. Hosted by Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson and the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, the summit allowed community stakeholders to further strategize and develop real-life approaches to stopping the violence. 

Other anti-violence advocacy supported by The Trust this month included a candid sit-down between Miami-Dade police officers and members of The Trust's Youth Advisory Committee (YAC), to discuss recent efforts and successes in strengthening community-police relations. Many YAC-ers vocalized that the interaction changed their perception of police for the better, and the group as a whole is looking forward to working with the officers on a peace rally in May.
 
Promoting Literacy Through
Family-Friendly Fun
Whimsy, awe and wonder with Dr. Seuss.
Hundreds of happy families celebrated Dr. Seuss's birthday with a free, fun-filled literacy-boosting event at Miami Children's Museum, thanks to the generous support of The Children's Trust. 
 
Live readings, performances and boisterous appearances by beloved characters - including the Cat in the Hat and Things 1 and 2 - delighted partygoers, who were also treated to a slew of literacy-boosting games and art activities, as well as b-day cake!
 
 
The Trust has sponsored the birthday/literacy event for over a decade.  
Photo: Courtesy Miami Children's Museum 
Teaching Kids About Conservation
Fun and learning at ArtSea.
The Children's Trust was a proud sponsor of Big Blue & You's 6th annual ArtSea, a free, environmentally conscious event that drew in thousands of Miami-Dade children, youth and parents.
 
With historic Virginia Key Beach and a sparkling Atlantic Ocean as a backdrop, ArtSea-ers enjoyed a slew of family-friendly activities, including arts and crafts, dance and fitness sessions; water safety instruction; stand-up paddle boarding; sand sculpture; marine biology experiences for kids; and live music and drumming. 
 
ArtSea is a much-anticipated event that offers children and youth, many residing in challenged neighborhoods, the opportunity to enjoy a special day outdoors while creating art with ecologically kind and recycled materials, learning about marine biology and educating themselves about protecting South Florida's precious coastlines .

Photo: Diana Larrea 
Sharing Smiles, Forming Families:
Miami Heart Gallery Monday

Meet Mytravis at Miami
Heart Gallery.
The Children's Trust has kicked off a new feature on Facebook and Twitter, connecting even more potential parents to local foster kids available for adoption: Miami Heart Gallery Monday.

Showcasing the latest additions to Miami Heart Gallery, #MHGMonday is another way we're introducing foster children to their potential forever families. Children like Lenard, Amelia and Michael, and siblings Jashawn, Kamren, Thomas and Lacy - all featured on Miami Heart Gallery and all recently adopted. So check out #MHGMonday and visit the gallery online - you may find a piece of your heart you never knew was missing.

Photo: Charles Allan Smith 
Bringing Art to the Mini-Sized Masses
Art appreciation at smART Gallery Family Day.
The Trust-sponsored Family Day at smART Gallery - a local pop-up public art installation created especially for children and benefiting the Miami-Dade Family Learning Partnership - encouraged kids to get in touch with their creative sides.
 
Numbers- and letters-inspired art pieces were hung at 36" high, just right for the shorter set, amid interactive art stations where kids could sketch a self-portrait, emulate Jackson Pollack or make their mark on a colorful e-mural while their parents learned about the many services and programs available through The Trust. Local artist Daniel Fila (aka Krave) created an original diptych on-site; the piece will be incorporated into the visual theme of this year's Champions for Children event, happening on June 15 at Jungle Island.


Trust Insider is a monthly newsletter created to keep the Miami-Dade community in the know about the programs, initiatives, events and outreach efforts The Children's Trust takes part in that benefit children and families.

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