Turning adversity into advocacy

Experiencing homelessness was anything but expected for Mariame Rodriguez and her family. Having recently relocated to Miami-Dade County from Connecticut to care for her mother, the toils of unforeseen circumstances left her with limited hope as she struggled to find a home in early 2006. Rodriguez, a mother of two children with serious health problems, a nurse and a caretaker, made a fearless phone call to the homeless hot-line holding onto the belief that “when one door closes another one opens.” 

Rodriguez lived in a homeless shelter with her family for six months then moved to transitional housing for a year and four months. This made a lasting impact on everyone in her family. “My kids suffered,” Rodriguez says. “They went through a lot and didn’t have trust or confidence. It created insecurity that, to this day, I’m still trying to break out of them.”

With every effort to instill positivity in her family’s life, Rodriguez searched for various community resources that could assist them during their time of transition. She and her eldest daughter attended a college fair presented by New Futuro where she received information on college access. At the fair she also made a connection to a program that reminded her of home: Catalyst Miami's Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI). She was initially attracted to PLTI because it originated in her hometown. “It originally came from Connecticut, so it sparked an interest and curiosity.” She then learned about the leadership, community service and advocacy components of the program, which appealed to her even more. She and her family decided to join.

Miami change makers are teaming up to tackle poverty

Written by Felix Acuña, New Media Coordinator

As I think about the astrological projections that I heard on Telemundo right before the ball dropped on New Year's Eve, I'm relieved I have a backup plan for optimism for the year to come. At the risk of sounding too cheesy, I must admit that this past year I was reminded that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can overcome the system of structural inequality we live in. One such group of people, which will be growing this January, is the Miami Thrives Network (MTN).

For those of you who might not be familiar with the initiative, MTN is a network-in-development of nonprofits in Miami-Dade County. MTN aims to address the root causes of poverty, and ultimately we envision the group conducting policy campaigns. At the moment, we are in the process of developing the network and holding discussions for interested participants.

At a series of informal meetings, or dialogues, held this past year, a handful of MTN members had lively discussions on topics ranging from competition among nonprofits to the incredible people power that these groups have. Dialogues were held at organizations such as MUJER, Belafonte Talcocy Center and Catalyst Miami. The issue that was brought up the most was the need for education and workforce pipelines for youth living in poverty. It was agreed that this network belongs to all of us and therefore responsibilities and authority must be shared across groups. 

I'm excited that several participants in Catalyst Miami's nonprofit advocacy training, Harvest Democracy, will be joining the movement this year. I refer to the network as a movement because I sense among the participants a conviction that we can use collective action to change society and a commitment to doing so. It's hard to say what will come out of this network in the long run, but to use a truthful cliche, it's not only about the destination--the journey is just as important.

Advocacy is in season!

This morning, nonprofit workers representing fifteen different service providers attended the first session of Harvest Democracy, an advanced training series on services and social change at the Catalyst Miami office.

Catalyst Miami's 4-part Harvest Democracy program is designed to strengthen the understanding, commitment and skills of nonprofit staff and board members in regards to advocacy.

Thanks to the generous support of Allegany Franciscan Ministries, Harvest Democracy will help nonprofits accomplish their missions by incorporating advocacy and policy analysis into their organizational strategic planning. In addition, fundamental values for effective advocates at all levels of government will be discussed.

Participants who complete the program will:

• Understand the importance of advocacy in nonprofit leadership
• Learn to engage constituents and
• Develop leadership tools to protect their services through client engagement

Notable Results from the last Democracy series:

*100% of evaluation results show improved "aptitude as an advocate," with 75% of them rating their newfound confidence as "very good" or "excellent."

*100% felt confident in their ability to generate a strategy to engage constituents and decision-makers, while 75% had reported insecurity in this are prior to completing the program.

*88.9% reported engaging in new coalitions or alliances over the course of the program or expressed their intention to do so.

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.

Daniella's Hot Topic: Harvard Advanced Leadership Seminar visits the University of Miami

By: Viviana Mauri, Communications Intern

            Last week on June 17^th, 2011, our President and CEO Daniella Levine attended a prestigious leadership conference by Harvard University called the Advanced Leadership Seminar at the University of Miami’s Newman Alumni Center. The program was opened by Thomas LeBlanc, Executive Vice President and Provost of the University of Miami, and Dennis Scholl of the Knight Foundation. 

           Themes of the conference included understanding what it takes to adapt in a changing environment, determining how to pick the right causes compatible with your skills and connections, how to help grow a good idea, dealing with conflicting stakeholders, and learning to think in both the long-term and short-term simultaneously.

            Within Daniella’s wonderful notes from the event, there was one particular section I felt worth sharing with our amazing supporters and readers here at Catalystmiami.blogspot.com: the “7 Leadership Skills”, presented by program designer Rosabeth Moss Kantor, a Harvard School of Business professor. Check them out and see how they can help you in your life!

1. Learn to Listen: Tune into your environment.
2. Be dissatisfied. By looking for the thing that is not working, you can improve your situation and work.
3. Communication. It’s important that one not only has a vision and passion, but the ability to communicate clearly what it is you want to accomplish.  
4. Coalition building. Two heads think better than one. Believe in the power of teamwork.
5. Perseverance. Know how to deal with unexpected obstacles. Everyone loves a beginning and the finished end goal. But it is often the middle, the hard work, the “sweat, blood, and tears,” if you will, that requires from us the most sacrifice. Move from rhetoric to action
6. Face your critics! With a positive, proactive approach, stand up for yourself, but at the same time, listen, to know where you can improve, and the most important word in any environment: accountability.
7. Last, but not least, celebrate your success! You deserve to be happy in all of the amazing things that you do!

          The workshop was attended by diverse leaders from twelve countries and four continents, including top representatives of South Florida’s institutions of higher education, President of the University of Miami, Donna Shalala, and President Emeritus of Florida International University, Modesto Maidique. Also present were Florida State Senator for District 33, Oscar Braynon, Senior Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education at UM, William Green, Florida House Representative, Frank Artiles of District 119, Jim Cason, Mayor of Coral Gables, and former Mayor of the City of Miami, Manny Diaz, who served as a featured panelist to the event. 

 

Public Allies' Presentations of Learning

By: Bianca Mijares, Catalyst Miami Intern
Cheryl Mizell, Communications Director

Yesterday June 16^th 2011 was the first of two days of Presentations of Learning put on by the Public Allies to illustrate what their experiences with the program have been in the past 10 months. Eleven Public Allies presented. Their presentations ranged from performance pieces to singing to dancing. All were extremely moving and insightful.

Laselve Harrison, Communications Coordinator with Catalyst Miami, launched the day by presenting his Public Ally learning experience through the template of the Voice, the e-newsletter, drawing parallels to the organization’s values while highlighting a transformative path to finding his own voice. Anne-Valerie Pierre-Canel gave a stellar performance worthy of an Oscar by spotlighting her star experiences and allies in best supporting roles in award winning films. Autumn Romer from Take in Stock Children, a scholarship program that pairs children with a mentor and an advocate and gives them the opportunity to receive a scholarship for college upon completing a set of requirements, did a performance piece about her personal transformation, growth, and discovery. She is a Leader! Jalyssa Whitaker spoke emotionally about her professional and personal growth and later expressed the same feelings through a choreographed dance to “Pieces of Me” by Ledisi. Diana Pena Rojas wrote a letter to her fellow allies detailing the struggles of her troubled life and everything the program has done for her. Then she had everyone plant their very own peanut plant.

All of the allies who presented spoke about one or more of these things: adapting difficult sometimes chaotic situations, realizing you are a leader, learning from experiences no matter the outcome, redefining success, and finding happiness. The event was inspiring and provided an opportunity to spotlight these wonderful people and to reflect on oneself and on the value of service.

Democracy Summer: Advocacy is in Season

By Bianca Mijares, Catalyst Miami Intern

 

Catalyst Miami’s “Democracy Summer” is an advocacy training designed to strengthen the understanding, commitment and skills of nonprofit staff and board. We will help nonprofits meet their missions by incorporating advocacy and policy analysis into their strategic planning. Participants will leave understanding the importance of engaging constituents and clients in leadership development, capacity building and strategic planning. Participants will leave with tools to protect services and organizations through client engagement. Democracy Summer is an 8-part training series taking place July 7 through September 1, 2011. We will enroll up to 25 advocates. Be on the look out as Catalyst Miami will begin contacting potential organizations this week!

From the collection of home videos: Tallahassee trip 2010

The HSC family recently took a road trip to our state capital to talk to legislators about issues affecting Miami-Dade County and Florida as a whole. We wanted to share this quick video with our readers so you can get a taste of the work that we do. Maybe some of you will get on the bus next year!

The FANM Little Haiti action group is incredible

Meeting the Little Haiti action circle was a wonderful experience. They are happy to serve their community and see themselves as a family. With this joy came stories of effective organizing in their neighborhood. They are getting things done. We appreciate them and their willingness to accommodate our poor Haitian Creole skills.

The devil is in the data...follow the money

Ed Bender, from the National Institute on Money in State Politics was at HSC this morning to teach us how to use the tools on www.followthemoney.org. These free databases organize reported information about campaign contributions from across the country in an accessible manner.

Something you might observe if you are poking around the site:

In 2008, 7% of Florida's state elections were competitive (meaning, no candidate was unopposed or raised twice as much as his competitor). This is striking compared to states like Arizona, where 62% of races were competitive (and there is a robust public financing program.)

We will be posting the presentation on our website soon, but in the meantime, Follow the Money.