Official Flyer of "Tip of the Iceberg? Surviving in a Down Economy"



Catalyst Miami's friend, Laura Levey

By: Viviana Mauri, Communications Intern

This Saturday, July 16^th, 2011, marks Catalyst Miami’s Birthday Bash Celebration for Daniella Levine and Laura Levey at the home of Laura and Lewis Levey. 

            As the supporters and readers of Catalyst Miami’s online media sites and blog, you definitely know well our President & CEO, Daniella Levine, but you may want to learn more about our event’s hostess, Mrs. Laura Levey.
         

Mrs. Levey was introduced to our nonprofit organization, Catalyst Miami, through her grade school friend, our Vice President of Community Partnerships, Karla Gottlieb. Mrs. Levey spoke only the kindest words of her grade school classmate, calling Karla a great friend whom she knows not only works very hard on behalf of Catalyst Miami, but believes the passion for her work truly comes from the goodness of her heart. She is deeply moved by Karla’s devotion to her community.


A mother of five children, Laura shares that her passion of giving is something she hopes to transfer to her kids by supporting organizations such as Catalyst Miami. Laura shared: “I love to be involved with the community. They need my help.” She fears, “too many organizations are disappearing.”

            Laura shared with our Communications Director, Cheryl Mizell, her admiration for our Catalyst Miami CEO & President Daniella Levine as well as for the work she has accomplished in both Miami-Dade County and the international community. Additionally, she shared her recognition for the respect that Daniella commands within the Jewish community.

Among the three public concerns Catalyst Miami identifies (economic opportunity, health, and education), the one Laura focused on was education. She is deeply grateful to the work Catalyst Miami has conducted in schools to support the children and families who cannot afford the supplies and help they need to succeed. 

At only three days away, you are still in time to RSVP for this Saturday evening’s 6-11PM beautiful Birthday Bash for Daniella & Laura! Please do so by contacting our Events Coordinator, Monica Matteo-Salinas, at (305) 576-5001 x 22 or e-mailing her at monicas@hscdade.org. In lieu of a birthday gift, the birthday girls request a $50 donation to your nonprofit organization, Catalyst Miami. See you then for a delicious Spanish paella, live music and a great time!

Visit our website, www.hscdade.org, to view our official invite (Also below)!



Tip of the Iceberg? Surviving in a Down Economy

Dear Champions of Civic Health, YOU ARE INVITED!

Tip of the Iceberg? Surviving in a Down Economy

July 20th 12AM-2PM

A Lunch sponsored by Allegany Franciscan Ministries

Training Center

1900 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 200  Miami, FL 33132 

RSVP to Amanda Schubert at amandas@hscdade.org or 305 576 5001 x 48

Are your revenues down? Are your expenses up? Is the cash flow not flowing?

• Come for roundtable discussion to explore the forces at play and how we can fight back, survive and thrive.
• Downsize, merge and innovate: but don't give up your dreams.
• Case studies on recent closures and reductions at C-One, Bertha Abess and Farm Share.
• Analysis and response from area experts.

Speakers will include representatives from:

• Hands on Miami (currently in a state of suspended operations)
• Farm Share (facing dramatic cuts from a state budget veto)

In addition to hosting this important conversation, we will announce 

3 exciting developments of Catalyst Miami

Official flyer coming soon!

RSVP for this Saturday's Birthday Celebration!

If you haven't done so yet, please RSVP by Thursday by contacting our Event Coordinator, Monica Matteo-Salinas!

MAKE your contribution to our official website, www.hscdade.org

 &
 JOIN our Birthday Bash Event Page for this beautiful evening in Miami Beach!

See you then!

Interns for Impact: SCARLETT MONTENEGRO



SCARLETT MONTENEGRO



Hello everyone! My name is Scarlett Montenegro, and I am currently an intern at Public Allies Miami with Catalyst Miami. No day is the same here, I can come in and create a new flyer for a fundraiser or I can be interviewing new prospects for next year’s Public Allies Miami class. I have gotten the chance to work on a variety of interesting projects with my supervisor and Public Allies Miami Director Asha Loring, as well as the rest of the Public Allies team. My supervisor had this to say about my time with Public Allies Miami, “In her short time with us, Scarlett has become an integral part of our team. Her follow through and dedication have truly increased our capacity to support Miami’s nonprofit sector.” The Public Allies team has made me feel like another co-worker rather than an intern. Throughout my time here I’ve been fortunate enough to be part of the growing network of Public Allies Miami. I’ve worked closely with my team preparing end of the year events for Public Allies Miami class of 2011. I was part of the preparation for their Presentations of Learning (which by the way were amazing)! I also helped set up and coordinate their successful Graduation at Jungle Island Ballroom Tree top, where we celebrated their accomplishments.

 I’ve learned so much in the past month, I can now say that I’ve written a press release and have planned for fundraising events. Social Media is also one of my fortes here.  I’ve created Public Allies Miami a twitter account which you can now follow and scoop in on all the new great things we are working on. I’ve also worked with YouTube and Facebook.  Not only do I get to work with Public Allies Miami but also with Catalyst Miami. I am currently working with Daniella Levine and other interns here on an article on poverty which we hope to publish soon for the Georgetown School of Law. I’m going to be working on this article even after my internship here is over. It will be a great reward and accomplishment to see my name published in a Law journal.

 I am originally from Miami. I graduated cum laude from G Holmes Braddock Senior High School, one of the largest schools in Miami-Dade County. I am one out of eleven scholars of the first ever Posse Foundation Miami, attending Mount Holyoke College, in South Hadley, Massachusetts. I am currently a second year majoring in Sociology with a Nexus Minor in Law and Public Policy. I’m also the new InternQueen Ambassador at Mount Holyoke College.  I am presently working on a project of my own on campus that will take place in the spring semester of 2012. I am working closely with the Career Development Center, President Pasquerella, and other staff on creating an event inspired by the non-profit Dress for Success that will give young women on campus the empowerment they need to succeed in the work force. When I graduate, I hope to enter Law School and become a great lawyer in the City of Miami.

 While working at Catalyst Miami I’ve also developed a passion for non-profits and hope to one day have one of my own. The skills and tool sets I’ve learned while interning here will help me reach my goals. I thank Catalyst Miami, Public Allies Miami, and The Posse Foundation for such a great opportunity.  Feel free to contact me via Twitter @scarmontenegro or email at monte22s@mtholyoke.edu.

Thank you, Scarlett Montenegro



A First Look at Tomorrow's "Masked"

By: Viviana Mauri, Communications Intern

We are only ONE day away from Catalyst Miami's 11th Annual Theatre Event, the Southeastern premiere of MASKED!

During this year's "Masked",  Catalyst Miami will include "A Call to Prayer," an interdenominational prayer service of both Muslim and Jewish faiths by South Florida's religious leaders, Rabbi Mitch Chefitz of Temple Israel and Imam Dr. Nasir Ahmad of Al Answar Mosque. In addition, we  honor this year's exceptional philanthropic and community leader, John Anzivino. After the show, Catalyst Miami will be hosting a cocktail reception with invited cast members at the Biltmore Hotel's Piano Bar. 

It is with pure excitement at Catalyst Miami's Communications that we share with you a first, exclusive look at tomorrow's play: behind-the-scenes photographs of the set submitted personally to us by the GableStage!

We hope to see you there! If you have not secured your seats to tomorrow evening's event yet, you can do so by visiting Catalyst Miami's official website, www.hscdade.org, or purchasing your tickets at the door!

It will be a night to remember! Until then, take a first look at "Masked"...

Catalyst Miami Hosts the Southeastern Premiere of "MASKED" at GableStage

By: Cheryl Mizell, Communications Director

Just 3 days until Catalyst Miami's 11th Annual Theatre Event!

The Southeastern premiere of “Masked” is scheduled for 7:30 pm, Friday, July 8th at GableStage at the Biltmore.

MASKED, "an explosive Israeli play about three Palestinian brothers locked in a life-and-death struggle over issues of deception and betrayal," sparks an insightful dialogue between Jewish and Muslim communities.

 The opening reception features two faith leaders from the South Florida community at center stage, Rabbi Mitch Chefitz, Scholar-in-Residence at Temple Israel and Imam Dr. Nasir Ahmad of Mosque Masjid Al-Ansar, offering inter-denominational prayers that ground the audience's emotions and passion soon to be stirred by the play.

 This eleven year tradition between Catalyst Miami and GableStage attracts and pays tribute to South Florida's finest philanthropic and civic leaders such as John Anzivino, this year's honoree, while engaging the audience in thought provoking entertainment

A cocktail reception with invited cast members immediately follows at the piano bar in the adjacent Biltmore Hotel.

For ticket information or sponsorships, contact Monica Matteo-Salinas at 305.576.5001x22, monicas@hscdade.org  or visit www.hscdade.org

Imagine Miami presents… Community Project Showcase

Imagine Miami is an initiative of Catalyst Miami.

Interns for Impact: VIVIANA MAURI

Good afternoon Catalyst Miami blog readers! I hope you celebrated a beautiful 4th of July weekend with your loved ones!



VIVIANA MAURI

My name is Viviana Mauri, and I serve Catalyst Miami as their Communications Intern, one of my main duties being as Editor and Intern Liaison for this blog. Each day, I work closely with Communications Director, Cheryl Mizell, to ensure that all of the organization's incredible accomplishments, advancements, and hot news reach the South Florida community in the most exciting and effective ways.

During my internship, I have taken on projects I feel confident will prepare me for all types of future professional endeavors. During my experience thus far, I have learned to write press releases, researched Catalyst Miami's history in the media, assisted meetings regarding the re-branding and transition of Catalyst Miami from Human Services Coalition, video-taped two full days of Public Allies' Presentations of Learning, all while always making sure that Catalyst Miami's official social media pages are not only up to date, but in perfect sync. In my experience at Catalyst Miami, I have truly covered all grounds of communications.

A graduate of Young Women's Preparatory Academy's Class of 2010, I became a Posse Foundation Scholar to Mount Holyoke College. Currently a rising sophomore at MHC, I major in Romance Languages and Cultures, concentrating in Italian and French, and minor in Journalism, Media, and Public Discourse. During my freshman year at Mount Holyoke, I launched an on-campus radio show with good friend, aspiring sex-therapist and talk show host, Crystal Reed, called, "Crystal and Vivi After Dark." I plan to continue working with WMHC 91.5 FM South Hadley, as a Radio Host and as their new Promotions Director for 2011-2012.

Learning about the steps to re-branding Catalyst Miami is currently undertaking is knowledge I will apply to my new position at the station, as I hope to re-introduce WMHC to the Mount Holyoke student body in a more new, bold, and modern way this school year. I am also involved with my campus' newspaper, The MHNews, where I work as Assistant Editor to the Arts and Entertainment Section. One of my most exciting articles this past year as Staff Writer was a detailed coverage of the pop culture moment of year: The Royal Wedding.

I aspire to become a Broadcast Journalist, and envision myself pursuing a Masters in Television and Radio Broadcasting.

I would love to hear your feedback on the Catalyst Miami official blog, so please, do not hesitate to comment below or let me know what you're thinking via Twitter! Tweet me personally @VivianaMauri and if you haven't already done so, please FOLLOW Catalyst Miami on Twitter @CatalystMiami and LIKE the organization on Facebook for the latest updates!

A PLTI Graduation

By: Bianca Mijares, Catalyst Miami Intern

The Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI)'s graduation took place this week on Tuesday evening at the Miami Beach Community Church. The Institute graduated a total of sixteen parents and eighteen children this year.

PLTI is a twenty week program for parents and children that includes a ten week course on leadership and a ten week civics program with a corresponding community project for parents. The children who participate go through a similar process as their parents with similar themes about leadership and community engagement and their ability to affect change in a kid-friendly way.

Raquel Regalado, a school board member from District 6, was the guest speaker at this year's graduation. She told a personal story of when she learned to step up to lead when she saw something she did not think is fair. She encourages others to do the same, and congratulated us on our leadership program for children alongside their parents. In fact, she will be presenting a certificate of recognition to Catalyst Miami for this program at the next School Board meeting on July 13.

Gretchen Beesing, Vice President for Civic Life at Catalyst Miami, as well as one of the facilitators for the second phase of the PLTI program, called this year's graduating class, "outstanding and passionate," and one of the "best groups that she has worked with." She shared that she was tremendously moved as she witnessed the powerful bonding of the group.