Bringing the Venable Foundation to Miami
With Venable's expansion into the Florida market, the Venable Foundation introduced grant funding to the Miami area in 2024, giving $45,000 to nine organizations in the community by the end of that year. These organizations have a range of missions aligning with the Foundation's focus areas, from providing legal advocacy to mentorship programs for young people in the community. In celebration of the Foundation's arrival in Miami, we are spotlighting a few of these organizations.
Spotlight: Overtown Youth Center
In 2024, the Venable Foundation provided $5,000 toward project support of the Youth Internship Program at Overtown Youth Center Miami (OYC). OYC provides holistic programming to youth and families in the historically underserved Overtown community in Miami.
OYC provides community members with support through educational, health and wellness, social, financial, and career programs. The Youth Internship Program falls under one of the organization's major focus areas, economic sustainability. Tina Brown, OYC's CEO, said that economic sustainability "serves as a foundation for long-term, transformative change."
"To break generational cycles of socioeconomic hardship, we provide meaningful internship opportunities through our Youth Internship Program that offer mentorship, hands-on work experience, and career exploration," Brown said.
With funding from the Foundation, the Youth Internship Program at OYC provides students aged 14-25 with work experience in the corporate, nonprofit, and government sectors to increase their knowledge of career options, expand their network, and improve their financial literacy.
"Thanks to the generous support of the Venable Foundation, we can expand these enriching opportunities, equipping young people with the skills, knowledge, and resources needed to achieve economic self-sufficiency," Brown said. "By lifting young adults through career-focused opportunities, we strengthen communities and create a future where success is within reach for all."
Grantee Profiles
Legal Services of Greater Miami is at the forefront of legal issues affecting low-income Miami residents. Since 1966, Legal Services has advocated for disenfranchised community members by providing free legal assistance. With operational support from the Venable Foundation, the organization's attorneys represent clients in several critical areas, including housing stability, access to education, healthcare, and veterans' benefits, and consumer rights protections.
Miami Diaper Bank makes free diapers and other baby-related essentials available to vulnerable children and families in south Florida. As the only diaper bank in Miami, the organization ensures that these families are better prepared to meet the needs of their children. Venable Foundation funding assists Miami Diaper Bank as it alleviates diaper need in its community.
Guitars Over Guns Organization provides music education and mentorship from professional musicians to youth from disadvantaged backgrounds. GOGO's mentorship-centric model is intended to help their students overcome hardship, find their voice, and reach their potential as artists and leaders. Support from the Venable Foundation helps the organization empower middle and high school students living in some of Miami's most challenged communities.
Human-I-T supplies computing devices, internet access, digital training, and technical support to low-income communities. These devices are donated by businesses and organizations to provide more technology to those in need, while also diverting decommissioned devices from landfills. In addition to Miami-based programs, the Venable Foundation also supports Human-I-T's Los Angeles initiatives, providing essential digital tools for education, employment, and personal development to further close the digital divide in both cities.
Dade Legal Aid Foundation provides comprehensive legal representation and resources to protect children in Miami-Dade County. The organization is a strong advocate for dependent and disabled children, vulnerable youth, and foster teens. Venable Foundation support helped Dade Legal Aid establish a panel of dedicated pro bono attorneys to serve in these high-conflict cases, representing the best interests of children.