Facebook Live Show, Best Buddies, Celebrating Dads

June 2017

Sharing the Day with Shake-A-Leg


	Learning about South Florida marine life with Shake-A-Leg.

Children's Trust President and CEO James R. Haj recently spent some time on the water with kids from Shake-A-Leg Miami's Marine Academy Camp.

Haj and the children boated on Biscayne Bay, built a weathervane while aboard and embarked on a seagrass hike where they discovered things like sea shells, horseshoe crabs, and bits of coral and sea sponges. A wholly inclusive environment that caters to children with disabilities, Marine Academy Camp also provides opportunities to underserved children and youth.

"We have kids here in Miami who live a mile from the beach and have never seen the ocean. We've got disabled kids who've never had a chance to get in a kayak, get in the water and swim," says Haj. "The impact of a program like this one - where kids of all backgrounds and abilities can interact with each other - is immeasurable. The smiles on the kids' faces says it all."

Celebrating Fathers


Capturing memories at Concrete Park.

Liberty City families came together at Concrete Park to celebrate fathers, grandfathers, uncles and other male role models during the "Healthy Men, Healthy Families, Healthy Community" event.

Made possible by the Orange Heights Collective, a group of local residents facilitated by The Children's Trust to revitalize the neighborhood's greenspace and create safe, family-friendly hubs - and hosted by the collective's newest member, House of God Miracle Temple - the day included food, entertainment and a professional photographer, courtesy of The Trust, to take keepsake family photos for those enjoying the day.

Informing & Inspiring the Community


Mya Wright and Trust Director of Communications Emily Cardenas broadcasting on Facebook Live.

Pop over to The Trust's Facebook page every other Thursday at noon for 10 with The Trust, a new 10-minute talk show broadcast on Facebook Live! We'll be chatting with community stakeholders and providers about resources and services available in your area, as well as sharing heartwarming stories from children and families who have benefited from Trust-funded programs, like Mya Wright. A participant in both Breakthrough Miami and Thomas Armour Youth Ballet, Wright - who credits both organizations with helping her understand the importance of education, as well as persevere through her mom's medical crisis and the loss of her brother - will be attending Mount Holyoke College in the fall.

It takes a village, said Wright on the show. "And The Children's Trust was my village."

Know a great Trust-connected story? Tell us at [email protected].

Answering a Call for Help


City of North Miami Mayor Smith Joseph with Trust personnel.

When parents in North Miami's Kiwanis Park neighborhood told The Trust last May that what they needed most was a free summer program for their children, we helped make it happen, just one year later.

Youth Education through Sports, aka Y.E.S., is taking place at the park and is a collaborative effort of The Trust, Gang Alternative, Councilman Alix Desulme and the City of North Miami, among other community partners. It's serving elementary-age children who live near the park, and will segue into an after-school program once summer's over. City of North Miami Mayor Smith Joseph recently met with Leonie Hermantin, a community outreach specialist for The Trust, and community engagement team member Aundray Adams to get up to speed on the group's efforts on behalf of his city's residents.

Giving Others a Voice


	YAC-ers and Best Buddies Ambassadors

Members of the The Trust's Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) ended the academic year with a very special service project.

Partnering up with Best Buddies International, an organization that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, YAC-ers met with Best Buddies Ambassadors to help them pen their personal experiences of living with disabilities. They and the Ambassadors, who travel locally, statewide and nationally to share their stories in an effort to increase understanding of and sensitivity to people with disabilities, enjoyed a day of collaboration, conversation and a great lunchtime feast!

Supporting Our Partners in Service


State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle

We joined State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle at Jewish Community Services of South Florida's annual meeting, where the organization recognizes the efforts of its staff and welcomes its board of directors. Rundle, the event's keynote speaker, spoke of the importance of helping people in need, a common thread running through the work of the many community stakeholders in attendance.

Trust-ers were also on hand as longtime partner Amigos for Kids pulled off another successful Miami Celebrity Domino Night fundraiser at Jungle Island. Congratulations!

Promoting Awareness of Gun Violence


	Trust staffers crushed it on June 2.

Trust staff joined thousands of Americans across the country on June 2nd and 3rd to support #WearOrange, a grassroots organization raising awareness about gun violence that's grown into a national movement. Learn more about what you can do in your community to address gun violence at wearorange.org.

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.

[email protected] | www.thechildrenstrust.org