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Barry Hosts Changemaker Conference for Miami-Dade Youth
Barry University recently hosted a youth leadership and community engagement conference to empower young people to become agents of positive change in Miami-Dade County. Approximately 70 high-school youth participated in the Changemaker Youth Summit on Social Justice, coordinated by Ashoka, Breakthrough Miami, and MCCJ. They took part in small-group discussions, team-building activities, a meditation session, a story-telling workshop, peer-to-peer presentations, a gratitude exercise, and additional activities that emphasized dialogue and reflection.
Mentor Dida, Ashoka’s Youth Venture program coordinator, facilitated the conference with support from Breakthrough and MCCJ staff members as well as university and community volunteers. Ashton Spangler, program coordinator at Barry’s Center for Community Service Initiatives, was among the facilitators.
An international organization, Ashoka seeks to cultivate a “community of change leaders who see that the world now requires everyone to be a changemaker.” Ashoka’s work in the United States is focused on and youth programs designed to build empathy.
Breakthrough Miami uses peer-to-peer educational methods to “ensure that motivated, under-resourced middle-school students have access to excellent high-school opportunities, graduate from high school on time, and attend college.”
MCCJ, historically known as the Miami Coalition of Christians and Jews, is a human relations organization that advocates an inclusive community. The organization has provided opportunities for intergroup dialogue since its founding more than 75 years ago.
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Campus Election Engagement Project Organizer Visits Barry
Barry’s Campus Democracy Project leaders met with the Florida organizer of Campus Election Engagement Project recently. The purpose of the meeting was to explore strategies and resources for engaging college students in local, state, and national elections.
Courtney Berrien, CDP co-chair, and Sean Foreman, outgoing CDP co-chair, held an on-campus discussion with Monica Matteo-Salinas, the CEEP Florida organizer. They focused on preparations for the November 2018 election, a significant one for Florida. Citizens will vote for a new governor as well as candidates for the United States Senate and House of Representatives.
They also discussed the CEEP Fellowship, an opportunity for student leadership of voter engagement on university campuses. Barry was awarded a CEEP fellowship last year.
CEEP is a national non-partisan project that helps America’s colleges and universities register students to vote, connect students to political campaigns, and support voter education efforts.
The Campus Democracy Project is a nonpartisan initiative that promotes civic learning and democratic engagement through get-out-the-vote activities, including voter registration, education, and mobilization.
Foreman will continue his work with the CDP in 2017-2018 by serving as the CEEP liaison at Barry.
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Kids Come to Campus to Feel the Power of Work
More than 50 fourth-grade students from Ruth K. Broad Bay Harbor K-8 Center and some 20 fifth-grade students from the Bridgeprep Academy Interamerican Campus came to Barry’s Miami Shores Campus recently as part of a program called KAPOW. Staff members and a few parents accompanied them on their field trip.
The kids engaged in conversations, presentations, demonstrations, and other hands-on activities provided by Barry administrators, staff, faculty, and student leaders.
A program of the National Child Labor Committee, KAPOW (Kids and the Power of Work) is designed to promote early learning for success in college and careers.
KAPOW is looking for volunteers for the next school year. Volunteers visit schools and provide lessons based on a prescribed curriculum. The KAPOW website and a video provide additional information on the program. Further details and sign-up information are available from Program Director Tania Reynolds at taniakapow@gmail.com or 305-338-5548.
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Opportunities to Volunteer Abound in Local Community
Barry employees have numerous opportunities to respond to community needs by serving as volunteers this summer. A sampling of such opportunities is provided below.
For additional information on how to get involved this summer, contact the CCSI at service@barry.edu or 305-899-3696.
Network For Teaching Entrepreneurship Wednesday, July 26, & Aug. 2 ¦3:00–5:00 p.m. ¦ 1951 NW 7th Ave., Suite 600, Miami, FL, 33136
A specialized camp has been organized for South Florida’s Network For Teaching Entrepreneurship alumni. Specifically, it’s for those “who are ready to take their business plans to the next level through an advanced boot camp, curriculum, and mentor support.”
Volunteer mentors will bring their professional expertise and generosity of time and spirit to serve as members of the Business Mentoring cohort. Mentors will be matched with an alumni business and will meet weekly to assist alumni identify the strengths and opportunities in their business plan, sharpen their professional skills, and further develop their idea to bring it to fruition.
Volunteers will have a 30-minute orientation (either in person or via web conference.)
Contact: Jackie Nguyen at Jacquelinen@nfte.com or 786-577-2207.
Mindful Hour at Little Lighthouse Foundation Now to Sept. 1 ¦ Wednesdays, 7:30 a.m.–8:30 p.m. & Thursdays, 4:00–5:00 p.m. ¦Miami, FL 33136
This program welcomes teens and adults to find a moment of peace and reorient themselves while learning practical de-stressing techniques. Volunteers can help participants engage in the class or spend time with participants’ children.
Mindful Hour runs from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Chapman Partnership site on scheduled Wednesdays and from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Miami Bridge site on scheduled Thursdays.
For more information, visit www.thelittlelighthouse.org; for answers to questions, contact Priscilla at priscilla@thelittlelighthouse.org or 786-566-1219.
Activity Hour at The Little Lighthouse Foundation Now to Sept. 1 ¦ 6:15–7:30 p.m. ¦Miami, FL 33136
The Little Lighthouse Foundation’s Activity Hour gives volunteers and youth alike the opportunity to develop essential team-building and communication skills while having a great time along the way. Activity Hour incorporates games, role playing, interactive activities, and arts and crafts to teach self-development and build self-esteem and confidence. Volunteers build relationships with the youth while assisting and participating in the planned activities of the program. Volunteers for Activity Hour should arrive by 6:15 p.m.
For more information, visit www.thelittlelighthouse.org; for answers to questions, contact Priscilla at priscilla@thelittlelighthouse.org or 786-566-1219.
Tiny Tunes Now to Sept. 1 ¦4:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. ¦ Miami, FL 33128
Tiny Tunes gives children an opportunity to explore the wonderful world of music. Through hands-on learning of instruments, stage performance, writing, audio engineering, and creating music videos, children are taught how to write, create, and produce their own music. The organizers invite volunteers of all interests, and especially those who are artistically inclined. During each session, children are exposed to different instruments and take part in a jam session to encourage self-expression.
Tiny Tunes runs Monday afternoons from 4:00 to 5:00.
For more information, please visit www.thelittlelighthouse.org; for answers to questions, contact Priscilla at priscilla@thelittlelighthouse.org or 786-566-1219.
Sunday Lunch Service at Miami Rescue Mission Now to Sept. 1 ¦11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. ¦ Miami, FL 33128
The Miami Rescue Mission provides individuals and families who are residents and overnight guests with meals free of charge. The organization’s kitchen serves three meals a day, 365 days a year.
Here’s how volunteers will help: Join HandsOn Miami to serve warm meals to those in need. Within a three-hour period, volunteers serve Sunday supper to 200–350 people.
“Your help to fill empty stomachs with balanced and nutritious meals will surely leave you feeling like you’ve filled your heart,” the organizers say.
Volunteers must be at least 16. The strict dress code calls for long pants/jeans and shirts with sleeves (long or short), no tank tops or cap sleeves are permitted. Closed-toe shoes must be worn; flip flops and sandals are not allowed.
Volunteers must be able to stand for long periods. Some volunteers may be asked to lift and carry items that weigh up to 20 lbs.
For additional information and to volunteer, contact Kristian Tomil at Miami Rescue Mission.
Feeding South Florida’s Food-Sorting Project Now to Dec. 31 ¦ 8:30–11:30 a.m. & 1:30–4:30 p.m. ¦ Pembroke Park, FL 33023
Feeding South Florida needs volunteer assistance to recover food so it can become available for nearly 900,000 food-insecure South Floridians.
“Help us inspect, sort through, and repackage all of our rescued food donations in order to save it from being thrown out, and prepare it for distribution into the community to help our community members struggling to put food on the table,” Feeding South Florida urges prospective volunteers.
Additional information is at the organization’s website, <http://feedingsouthflorida.force.com/HOC__Volunteer_Opportunity_Details_Page?id=a0Cj0000009ftN0EAI>.
Back-to-School Community Extravaganza Saturday, Aug. 5 ¦9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. ¦ New Renaissance Middle School
The Children’s Services Council's Back-to-School Community Extravaganza, which includes a Resource Fair, will supply more than 5,000 Broward students with backpacks, school supplies, clothes, and shoes. Haircuts, vaccines, and other resources will be provided as well.
The Community Extravaganza will be held at three locations to make it convenient for families to access resources. One location is the New Renaissance Middle School. This distribution event will take place on Aug. 5. Volunteers are needed from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. to assist in the main area of the distribution site, getting supplies into the hands of individuals and families.
Volunteers set up, maintain, and dismantle stations; unload boxes; and distribute supplies. Some serve as runners between stations. Water and light snacks will be available. Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own lunch/dinner.
To register as a volunteer, visit HandsOn Broward.
Miramar Community Garden Volunteer Workday Saturday, Aug. 19, Sept. 16, Oct. 21, Nov. 18, & Dec. 16 ¦8:00–11:00 a.m. ¦Miramar, FL 33023
The 3,150-sq. ft. Miramar Community Garden, located at Fairway Park, is the first demonstration “micro farming system” in Broward County. It’s an environmentally and economically sustainable system that creates a network of healthy food sources of naturally grown vegetables and fruits, a social network for garden volunteers to learn about the urban agricultural industry, and an opportunity for vocational training.
Volunteers are needed for this monthly project, which involves tidying up, weeding, and planting the garden; checking irrigation; and carrying out special and ongoing projects.
The organizations say: “Bring your gardening tools, if possible; remember to dress appropriately; protect yourself from the sun; and don’t forget drinking water. A parent must accompany volunteers under 16 years old.”
To register as a volunteer, contact Deyman Rodriguez at HandsOn Broward.
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Staff and Faculty Urged to Support Box Tops Drive
The CCSI is urging staff and faculty members to support the Box Tops for Education Drive organized by the Minority Association of Pre-health Students, or MAPS.
MAPS is collecting box tops – more specifically, the pink label with an orange pencil found on many grocery items – for donation to North Miami Elementary School. Labels may be sent to the CCSI, Adrian 208.
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Community Engagement Fact Sheets Available
Sixteen fact sheets on community engagement topics are available from the CCSI.
Topics covered include Community-Based Research, Community-Engaged Scholarship, Community Service, Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Conferences, Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Organizations, Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Publications, and Service-Learning and Social Justice.
To obtain copies of any of the fact sheets, contact the CCSI via email at service@barry.edu.
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Next Issue of Engagement News Scheduled for August 14
Engagement News, the newsletter of the Center for Community Service Initiatives, is being published twice a month during the summer.
Regular weekly issues of the newsletter will resume at the start of the 2017–2018 academic year, on August 14.
The Department of Marketing and Communications publishes Engagement News on behalf of the CCSI.
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CCSI Newsletter
Posted On : July 24, 2017
