Meet the lives you helped change through United Way of Miami-Dade
Luca
We all have a stake in making sure today’s children grow up to be productive citizens who give back to the community. A good education is the foundation for a child’s success in work and life — and a good education starts early. Research tells us 85 percent of our core brain structure is formed in the first three years of life and that reading at grade level by the end of third grade can predict high school graduation. In 2007, the United Way Center for Excellence in Early Education opened with the vision of providing all children with access to the highest quality care and education, so they can have the best possible start in school and in life.
Luca began his journey with the United Way Center for Excellence in Early Education at 15 months old. Tere Correa, Luca’s first teacher, thought that Luca might have some developmental challenges ahead. Almost immediately, Tere brought Luca’s need for intervention and treatment to his mother’s attention.
From diagnosing an issue with Luca’s eyesight to using his pet and friend “Fishie” to help him socialize with other children, the United Way Center for Excellence in Early Education staff were by Luca’s side every step of the way.
Now, 5 years old, Luca sees a whole new world through his blue-rimmed glasses with wonder and imagination. He is a boy who now interacts with his peers on a deeper level, focuses his attention in the classroom and enjoys life with a delightful attitude.
United Way has a community plan, focused on education, financial stability and health — the building blocks for a good life. Our goal is to create long-lasting changes that prevent problems from happening in the first place. We invest in quality programs, advocate for better policies, engage people in the community and generate resources. It takes all of us working together to create a more educated, prosperous and healthy Miami-Dade, and you are essential to realizing that vision for our community. Join us and LIVE UNITED.
Cliff
In the past few years, we have all seen how interconnected we are. When people are unemployed and more families are financially unstable, the impact is felt throughout the community. One misfortune – a lost job, a health problem – and a family can go from living on the edge to living on the streets. United Way of Miami-Dade invests in programs across our community to help our individuals and families pave a path to financial independence. At New Life Family Shelter, homeless families, such as Cliff’s was, are provided with opportunities to get back on their feet, to gain the skills and the confidence to become financially stable and independent again.
DeBorah
United Way of Miami-Dade invests in programs across our community to help our children to be successful in school and in life. One of those programs, at the Overtown Youth Center (OYC), teaches children to become good students and good citizens. DeBorah, a recent graduate of Booker T. Washington High School, began attending the after-school program at OYC in ninth grade. Today, as a college freshman, she credits the after-school program for giving her the confidence to pursue her goals, to get a college education and to give back to her community at the same time
Danielle
We all have a stake in making sure today’s children grow up to be productive citizens who give back to the community. United Way of Miami-Dade funds programs across our community to help our youth to be successful in school and in life. One of those programs, at Miami Bridge, offers shelter and counseling to those young people in our community who have not received the care they need and find themselves with nowhere to turn. With the help of United Way and Miami Bridge Youth & Family, Danielle is overcoming a history of abuse and pursuing her goal of a college education.
Lissandra
Research tells us that reading at grade level by the end of third grade can predict high school graduation. United Way of Miami-Dade invests in programs across our community to help our children to be successful in school and in life. One of those programs, at Centro Mater, helps children to improve their English language skills, making academic success more attainable. When she arrived at Centro Mater, Lissandra was scared people would laugh at her because she could not speak any English; she was having difficulty with her schoolwork and falling behind in her classes. Since enrolling in Centro Mater, Lissandra has improved her English through literacy activities, receives help with her classwork, and dreams about her future.
Claudia
In the past few years, we have all seen how interconnected we are. When people are unemployed and more families are financially unstable, the impact is felt throughout the community. Since its opening in October 2009, our neighbors can access financial education and coaching at the United Way Center for Financial Stability to help them pave a path to financial independence. Claudia, a single mother of seven, found herself unexpectedly unemployed and unable to afford her mortgage. With the help of her financial coach, Claudia received assistance in budgeting and credit repair, successfully negotiated a reduction in her mortgage payment and is now pursuing her dream of opening a child care center.
David
United Way of Miami-Dade invests in programs across our community to help our children to be successful in school and in life. One of those programs, at ASPIRA of Florida, helps children to improve their math and science skills while they pursue other interests, such as art, making academic success more attainable. In spite of his creativity and passion for art, when David arrived at ASPIRA, he was not eligible for art class because of poor academic performance in math. The after-school program has helped David improve his grades and pursue his love of art.