Meet the ReServists!

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.

Jerry Bethel Turns His Life, the Lives of Others Around

Jerry Bethel is an AmeriCorps VISTA member completing his first year of service at Catalyst Miami. He works closely with the Prosperity Campaign—helping low-wage families and individuals connect to quality healthcare programs, establish financial security and enhance their quality of life. Jerry shares his personal reflections on connecting with Catalyst Miami at a significant point in his life.

Before I came to Catalyst Miami, I was going through a rough time. I was homeless and living on the streets with my girlfriend, who was pregnant at the time.

I connected to Catalyst Miami through a friend who introduced me to the Parent Leadership Training Institute. Being involved in this program taught me how to make changes within my community. I gained a lifetime of experiences and connections that I will forever appreciate.

Shortly after finishing the Parent Leadership Training Institute, my life turned around drastically. I'm no longer homeless. I found shelter, and I became an AmeriCorps VISTA member.

My role as an AmeriCorps VISTA at Catalyst Miami allows me to create and expand programs that ultimately bring low-income individuals and communities out of poverty. I connected with this program because I see a bit of my own story wrapped in the work I am doing for others in the community.

None of this would have possible without the knowledge and connections I made at Catalyst Miami.

Wonderful Article of our Prosperity Campaign Champion, Erbi in FIU's BizNews

Alumna's Dedication Strengthens Communities

Erbi Blanco-True. Picture from BizNews.fiu.edu

Interns for Impact: ENEAMI BESTMAN



Hello! My name is Eneami Bestman, it is pronounced E-nae-me, which is Nigerian meaning, “my day is coming!” I am a native of Miami, Florida and have served over eight  years in the United States Air Force. During my time in the Air Force I was stationed in several places including serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom in Kuwait and Iraq. After completing my commitment to the Air Force, I attended the University of West Florida where I earned my bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice. I have recently completed graduate school at Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA with my MA in American Government along with two certificates in both Global Politics and Law & Public Policy.

ENEAMI BESTMAN

With my military experience and education,  it would have been logical for me to move to Washington, DC and seek employment. However, after viewing an interview on YouTube of First Lady Michelle Obama, she expressed how her parents instilled in her the importance of college graduates returning to their hometowns and giving back. She commented on how her parents presented her with the question of, “How much better would our communities be if people returned for a few years to give back?” It was at that moment I decided after graduate school I would return home and serve in my community. I have been granted that opportunity through interning with Catalyst Miami.

As a summer intern at Catalyst Miami, I work directly with Daniella Levine, the nonprofit organization’s President  & CEO. Working with Daniella is very exciting, no day is ever the same as I get to watch her  in action. On the day I came in to interview with Daniella and receive an orientation of Catalyst Miami, as I passed Daniella's office, I heard someone say “What are you doing the next couple of days?” I thought she was speaking to the volunteer coordinator who was showing me around, but no, she was speaking to me! The next morning at 6:30am I was headed, with Daniella, to the Annual Florida Prosperity Partnership (FPP) Conference in St. Pete, FL.

At this conference, I learned of the Prosperity Campaign (PC), which is the flagship initiative of Catalyst Miami. The Prosperity Campaign helps low-wage individuals and families in South Florida connect to quality healthcare programs and services, establish financial security, and improve their quality of life. I am designated as the point person working with Daniella to plan and organize the utilization of a grant that will afford us the ability to further expand the Prosperity Campaign's services statewide. I am helping to create a survey that will be distributed statewide to all of the prosperity centers. The information that we gather will help us to asset map, evaluate the various services of the prosperity centers which will lead to greater collaboration locally and statewide. Outside of this great task, I have been presented with numerous opportunities to gain experience in other areas. I have represented Catalyst Miami at a public hearing advocating against Florida Medicaid Reform, which would increase hardship for low-income, elderly, and the disabled population. I am also working on an article for publication in the Georgetown Poverty Law Journal. The unique and rewarding aspect about interning at Catalyst Miami is that I am not given busy work; I am made an integral member of the team.

Recently, I was notified that I have been selected as a Pubic Ally. This program is a ten month apprenticeship where I will be placed at a non-profit within the county where I will contribute to the development of that organization. At the end of this exciting journey, next year, I desire to enter law school and continue my life as a public servant.

Empowering Families through Financial Literacy

By: Bryan Troupe, Catalyst Miami Communications Intern 

Maisah Williams is a Certified Financial Counselor with Catalyst Miami's Prosperity Campaign. The campaign's aim is to assist families and individuals in long term stability. "We don't provide just a quick cover up," Maisah says, "We are solution oriented. We help people get to a level in life where they are self-sufficient, meaning they are able to not only locate resources, but to maintain those resources as well." ...A young high school graduate of inner-city Miami has been accepted into Miami-Dade College - but her family cannot afford it.

“Tonya” and her family lack the financial knowledge and resources needed to assist in financial aid or grant opportunities.  Through a friend of a friend, Tonya finds out about the Prosperity Campaign, which can assist her with financial aid and other financial resources for college. Tonya meets with Maisah, who is able to assist Tonya with completing her financial aid report and give her additional financial education. The story does not end there.

Tonya then speaks about her mother with Maisah. Tonya’s mother is currently unemployed, and combinations of a weak economy and having to use unemployment compensation to support a family have her mother depressed. With only a high school diploma, finding a job in Miami Dade County is almost impossible. The mother, “Vivian”, comes into the office the next day to speak with Maisah, who is able to enroll the mother into Miami Dade College and help her set up financial aid.

“One of the great ways we are able to benefit and educate the community is through word of mouth.” Maisah says.

The Prosperity Campaign does not only focus on financial education. Some of the other components of other organization include: helping individuals with their Medicaid, SNAP (food stamps), free tax preparation, financial budgeting, and savings planning.

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Prosperity Campaign Hosts Local Job Fair

The Prosperity Campaign, an initiative of Catalyst Miami is hosting a local job fair Thursday, June 30th, 2011 from 10 am to 2 pm at the Center for Independent Living in Miami.

Interns for Impact: SUMMIYA TASNIM

SUMMIYA TASNIM 

Greetings! My name is Summiya Tasnim and I am an intern working with Prosperity Campaign. As an intern, I operate under the wing of Nadine Gousse, the Community Liaison and Health Navigator of PC, in linking at-risk individuals with opportunities to help improve their standard quality of life.

As an adamant advocate and supporter of human rights and dignity for all, I believe that quality health care coverage and nutritional sustenance are fundamental necessities universally entitled to every individual in existence. With that being said, it is a rewarding feeling knowing that I am in some way contributing to the process of connecting individuals with resources in meeting their basic human needs.

Apart from being an intern, I am also a student attending Mount Holyoke College and majoring in International Relations with a concentration in Human Rights Law in the Middle East. I have dreams and aspirations of one day attending Law School. To prepare for the long road ahead, I've taken part in a handful of extracurricular activities, one of them being Model United Nations (MUN). It’s fascinating yet inspiring to see how the policies I have lobbied for throughout my MUN conferences are realistically being achieved here at Catalyst Miami.

The guidance, assistance, and insight I am gaining while working at Catalyst Miami will be essential in every type of endeavor I pursue.  Professionally, I am getting hands on experience in learning how to expand, cultivate, and nurture my administrative skills thus increasing my proficiency. Personally, I am getting the chance to make a difference in someone’s life. How much better can it get? I only hope to continue to develop personally as an individual but more importantly as a leader while working here at Catalyst Miami.

Interns for Impact: JAZMIN LOCKE

JAZMIN LOCKE
Photo by: Viviana Mauri, Communications Intern.

Hi there! My name is Jazmin Locke and I am the first intern to be featured on Catalyst Miami's blog, this is exciting! I must then be responsible for paving the explanation of what an intern at Catalyst Miami may be doing. Primarily I'd say it is being patient and receptive of the different assignments thrown at me and holding my breath to not exclaim, "Wait are you sure you want me to do this?" In just these two weeks I have noticed that Catalyst Miami places great confidence and enthusiasm in their interns, both believing in our creativity and our initiatives.

As a student in Environmental Sustainability at Mount Holyoke College, I am excited to get the opportunity to work with Lynn Fiala in improving Farmers Markets' efforts to reach people across Miami. While reading Request for Proposals, paying close attention to local politics and countless e-mails, I am gradually learning the steps it takes to bring Farmers' Markets from across Miami together to collaborate with one another, share resources, and increase the availability of locally grown food. Locally grown food is not easy to find across the county, particularly in designated food deserts where supermarkets cannot be found within a 10 mile radius. This collaborative is to work toward closing these gaps.

Here with three other Posse Scholars of Miami, I have the support of my peers in a new professional setting, where I can learn what it means to be myself in a progressive environment. This opportunity is providing me the experience that I will use in the environmental field in the future.

“A Call to Prayer” at MASKED

By: Viviana Mauri, Communications Intern

Our 11^th Annual Theatre Event, MASKED, is “An explosive Israeli play about three Palestinian brothers locked in a life-and-death struggle over issues of deception and betrayal. Set in a village on the West Bank in 1990, it depicts the tragedy of one family torn between duty, kinship, principles and survival.” We are pleased to announce that we will start this special evening with “A Call to Prayer.” We will be joined by two faith leaders of our South Florida community who will each open and close the show in inter-denominational prayer.

The idea for the prayers came from Catalyst Miami’s President and CEO Daniella Levine who shared, “The play is about Palestinians in Israel, written by an Israeli but dealing with Palestinian brothers. It’s been called ‘explosive,’ so I know it’s going to stir a lot of emotions and passion. It seems impossible to resolve the crisis in the Middle East. Only when we’re called to a higher purpose can we understand possible solutions. The play depicts the conflict of two different faiths that actually share the same God and pray to the same God, in their own way. That is what inspired my idea of a Call to Prayer in the Muslim tradition. Even those who don’t believe in the power of prayer and who are not religious hopefully can gain from appreciating this message that bridges traditions of prayer and peace.”

Tickets are available at http://www.hscdade.org/ or by calling (305) 576-5001

Pathway to Prosperity

To commemorate the 15th anniversary of HSC, we have been working on a series of videos about the history of the organization. This video, the second in the series, focuses on the Prosperity Campaign, which has helped thousands of people become more financially literate and self-sufficient.

Allegory of the Mountain: The Story of HSC

An allegorical journey into the inner workings of the Human Services Coalition.
DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this production DO NOT represent those of the executive team and board of directors. This video was produced by two of our most promising young employees who sometimes let their imaginations take them to places most people simply are not prepared to encounter. So be warned, and enjoy the ride....

Prosperity Campaign launches free tax prep season

Last Friday, January 29th, HSC's Prosperity Campaign had in Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) awareness event to kick off their work during the upcoming tax season. It was an exciting event, with appearances by Commissioner Natacha Seijas and Alex Sink, CFO of Florida, and it was particularly informative this year as there have been recent changes in the EITC program. Because of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA), taxpayers are now able to claim a third qualifying child. Households can receive up to $5,657 on EITC this year. The event only marks the beginning of the incredible work the Prosperity Campaign will do for people throughout the year.