the homes for heroes project is a very important burgeoning organization! although it's in its…read moreinfancy the business model is one that at this point in time is extremely relevant! they are posturing themselves in order to assist americas veterans in need. any veteran, in need of assistance, will never be turned away. there will be some type of resolution for their situation, whatever it may be. we need to recognize that these freedoms that we have are because of their service. whether peacetime or wartime their service makes it possible for what we have, today. you can thank a vet for everything that you have and hold. always remember that!

Sage is one of those wonderful organizations, not just social, but meant to help people. Its member…read moreare mostly gay male and lesbian seniors who, in their words, "refuse to be invisible." And as they further note "We make aging better for LGBT people nationwide. We show up and speak out for the issues that matter to us. We teach. We answer your calls. We connect--generations, each other, allies. We win. And together, we celebrate. " * Their activities take place throughout the country. Amongst those are Advocacy for LGBT Elders * HIV & Aging Policy Action Coalition (HAPAC) * Long-Term Care Equality Index (LEI) * National Resource Center on LGBT Aging * National LGBT Housing Initiative * NYC SAGE Centers * SAGECare Cultural Competency Training * SAGEConnect * SAGE Cents * SAGE Hotline * SAGENet National Affiliates * SAGE Table And one I will note which I find of major significance, a Help Hot Line: 877-360-LGBT

"The SaludArte Foundation is a non-profit organization that has been playing an important role…read moresupporting the arts by providing a platform to promote the development of educational and social integration programs through the visual and performing arts, serving the U.S and Latin America since its beginning in 2003." SaludArte aims to integrate and empower individuals with disabilities through artistic expression. They invited our Art Class from The WOW Center Miami, along with 20 of our students, to experience a two day workshop with amazing dancers from Spain. Our students all have different disabilities, from autism to Down syndrome, and every single one left feeling inspired and free. SaludArte brings different artists to every workshop they host and it's beyond incredible for every participant! They learned how to improvise and make art with their bodies based on what they hear and feel! Our next workshop will be with a sculpture artist! We can not wait! Besides hosting these workshops, SaludArte hosts a whole Art Gallery showing for different people - whether it be someone not trained professionally or someone with a disability. They have kindly asked us to fill their space this upcoming August and we are ecstatic to show off our students work in such a beautiful space with kind hearted people! This nonprofit does such a beautiful job supporting those often overlooked and they are beyond worth checking out! Check their website for a Calendar of events and don't miss out!

Sometime around September-October, a charity The Education Fund came by the insurance company I was…read moreworking for at the time. The Education Fund as per its website: "The Education Fund's first program awarded small grants to support teachers' innovative, hands-on classroom projects. Three decades and more than 4,550 "best practice" projects later, our collective programs continue to make a difference in the lives of 350,000+ students/families and 20,000 educators throughout Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Our initiatives have contributed $10.1 million in free classroom supplies. We've engaged hundreds of business professionals to become advocates for teaching quality. We are growing schoolyard eco labs at 51 elementary schools -- 25 are in progress to become Food Forests. More than 32,854 students' eating habits have improved as a result of this multi-dimensional outdoor lab initiative. The objective of each Education Fund program is to work side-by-side with the private sector to support and promote quality public education for every child in Miami-Dade County Public Schools by providing teachers and students with resources they need to be successful." As part of the program, volunteers can be paired with a local Miami Dade County teacher and help teach a class. That way people get to step into the shows of a teacher at least for a short while. I wanted to do this for a number of reasons: 1) I always think that when I approach or end up retiring I would like to teach at the university level. I thought well let me see how I handle this 2) I admire teachers, they are hard working, self-less individuals who work hard for little pay to pass on knowledge to the next generation I asked, of course, for a high school social studies or English class... I got a grade school class with 7 year old... special needs Science. Yeah I was nervous... I was wondering if I could get transferred to another but then I thought of a reason #3 3) I was thinking... you know I want kids in the future... maybe... this could be like training? Making it harder was that I was going thru a lot of issues at work and personally as the time went on and eventually had to move out of Florida and to Ohio. One of the last things I did while in Florida was teach this class. I gave my word to help teach the class, and I am true to my word. I reviewed the lesson plans And then I went to Avocado Elementary School in Homestead, Florida to help teach the class. The teacher Ms. Jackson and I spoke and we had the kids make water rockets. It was a really fun experience. It's funny, I have debated in school, argued in front of full auditoriums in the university and given classes in front of hundreds of people including in conference and I have never been as nervous as when I was talking in front of those kids. They look at you and hang on your every word like no other person... it's incredible. I swear I think I froze for a second. The teacher had them watch videos on water rockets and went over how they work first. I went over with the teacher and aide how to build them. It was fun seeing them so excited and into it. Then we went to launch them... first few times it didn't work but we eventually got to launch them into the air after finding the right ratio of water in the bottle. It was amazing to see the kids have fun as the bottles were launched into the air. Honestly, even I had a lot of fun. When I left, it was sad because a few of the kids cried. I now know how much work teachers put in... I was drained from just a few hours... I always had great respect for teachers... but now much more so. I am still trying to raise money for them as I have another 30 days... but have only been able to raise some from my family... anyway I am so happy I did this... The Education Fund gave me a memory at Avocado Elementary which I will treasure for the rest of my life.

Obviously I am a bit biased now that I have the privilege of serving as President of this…read moreorganization. But after over 20 years of serving as a member, I can honestly say that this is one of the greatest local non-profit organizations in Miami. And we have a really great group of people behind all of their programs that help local children in families in South Florida. I truly recommend this organization and encourage everyone to take a look at all the good they do in the community and help support the cause. They truly make a difference every day.

One of the best non profits I've seen in a miami. Neat stuff offers cloths, toys, diapers and…read moreschool uniforms for families at or below the poverty line. It's designed like a consignment store, and makes families feel respected-- like they aren't being treated poorly simply because of who they are or what their socio-economic status is. The only downfall is that families in need across Miami-Dade need to drive to the site (that's what case workers are for!!!!)..

I completed a 3 day car seat training here over the weekend, and had a great experience! The…read moreinstructors were very nice and skilled. I really learned a lot from their class. Who knew installing infant/child car seats were so complex! Over the span of 3 days, my class learned the different variations of car seats, seat belts, and recommendations for car seat safety. It was a very hands-on class, and I was definitely exhausted after its completion! The location itself was easy to get too, and the room was perfectly set up for a class of 10. It did get a bit chilly though due to the cold front we had. That would probably be my only complaint. Otherwise it was clean, and a good set up. We also had a good amount of space in the parking lot to practice the car seat installations. Fortunately it is not a very active lot, and were not disturbed by many cars. I would definitely take another training here if needed!

Came here for 5 hour workshop. The staff is very helpful and friendly, And everything is…read moreimpeccable. The children that arrived later in the afternoon seemed very happy with the center/after school care.

I have a lot of experience with this organization as I work with them year long during the school…read moreyear and I believe it's a great program. The mentoring that these volunteers do is so monumental in children's lives and means so much to them and their families. I have seen this program in practice when the Bigs come to the school to talk to their Littles and I have always seen professional, caring individuals come through my office! I will continue to push this priceless program in my school for as long as I am there.