The Voice: the e-newsletter of the Human Services Coalition
Issue 9
June 30, 2010
in this issue
Penny Wise Campaign heats up
Community projects kick off
Parent/neighborhood leaders graduate
Empowered Youth wraps up first cycle
Board members sought for MCH
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Thanks for the memories 
A look back on the beginning of HSC
 
As HSC reaches its fifteen-year mark, we wanted to share with you some reflections on how we got started, what events inspired the founding of the organization and where we are headed. This month, we share with you the first in a series of videos about our history. Pay close attention; there will be a quiz later! Watch.
HSC and LIFFT rally
Community groups bring message to mayor:
You say 'cut back.' We say 'fight back.'
 
Penny Wise press conferenceThe Penny Wise Campaign recently held a press conference to increase awareness of the potential impact a budget without public and community-based services would have on Miami-Dade County. They delivered a petition outlining their concerns to the mayor's office. See what happened.
 
In the fall, the county commission and mayor will make budget decisions that could drastically reduce funding for services in Miami. Sign our petition and join our Facebook group to prevent the damaging cuts to social services, jobs and the arts.
Neighborhood leaders launch community projects
 
NLP project planningThe Neighborhood Leadership Program (NLP) dialogue-to-action circles have completed five-week courses discussing poverty, and the participants are now moving on to the project-planning and implementation phase. Community initiatives designed in three discussion groups will soon commence in Liberty City, Little Havana and the West Grove.
 
In Liberty City, there will be a small business showcase in the fall to promote community businesses to Liberty City residents. Little Havana residents are planning a service fair where local small businesses and nonprofits will provide free services to the public. In the West Grove, NLP participants will help to increase the capacity of a local homeless shower program and build a calendar of services to provide to the homeless throughout the community.
 
NLP is an initiative of the Civic Life Academy, an arm of the Human Services Coalition. For more information, contact Jacob Coker-Dukowitz.
Two HSC programs celebrate a successful year
 
PLTI and Public Allies graduationWe are proud to announce the upcoming graduation of both our Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI) and Public Allies classes.

PLTI is a 22-week course on leadership, community advocacy and public policy. Since 2008, 75 community members have participated in the intensive PLTI class, emerging as well-qualified and engaged child advocates.
 
Public Allies, an AmeriCorps program based in Wisconsin, places participants at local community organizations focused on issues such as healthcare, housing, immigration, gang prevention, youth mentoring and community engagement.

It has been a great year for both programs, and if past participants are any indication, we can expect great things in the future from this year's graduates. Congratulations everyone!
Mentorship program graduates first class
 
IMBAckOn July 3, the first class of Empowered Youth Neighborhood (EYN), a mentorship program for at-risk youth, will receive certificates marking the participants' completion of the EYN curriculum. Seven young men spent four months in close mentoring relationships as they worked through a rigorous course, discussing issues such as anger, forgiveness, trust and relationships. They will each be paired with a mentor for one year after graduation. EYN was launched in March 2010 with support from members of Public Allies, an AmeriCorps program that places young leaders in community organizations for ten-month apprenticeships.
 
Empowered Youth, Inc. is a non-profit organization, fiscally sponsored by the Human Services Coalition, dedicated to enhancing the lives of at-risk youth. They are currently seeking mentors and volunteers for the next cycle. Learn more.
Invitiation from Miami Coalition for the Homeless

The Miami Coaliton for the Homeless is currently recruiting board members in the areas of media, marketing, banking and law enforcement. If you have an interest in ending homelessness, please take a few minutes to complete the board application and e-mail it back to the Attn: Ben Burton, Executive Director, [email protected].  If you have additional questions, please feel free to call the office: (305) 571-8101.
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Special thanks to our sponsors:
 
 The Children's Trust  Miami Coalition for the Homeless
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