Achieve Miami: Closing Opportunity Gaps for Students [Give Miami Day]
Give Miami Day takes place THIS THURSDAY November 21st and is one of the largest annual giving events in the nation. On that day, you can make a philanthropic impact by supporting any of the more than 1,300 nonprofits that will participate this year.
In 2023, Give Miami Day made history with more than $34 million dollars in donations and a record 46,000 donors. “Give Miami Day is our community’s chance to give nonprofits what they need – and to do it in a lean, unifying way,” said Rebecca Fishman Lipsey, president and CEO of the Miami Foundation in a statement to the Miami Herald.
During my 18+ years creating videos (over at southfloridafilmmaker.com) and snapping photographs for the many clients that have sustained my business over that span, I’ve had the opportunity to be of service to many wonderful non-profit organizations.
So, please allow me to introduce you to one such organization – Achieve Miami
Founded by philanthropist, educational activist, and entrepreneur Leslie Miller Saiontz in 2015, Achieve Miami closes opportunity gaps for students throughout Miami-Dade by providing educational and enrichment programs that demonstrate the power of students learning with and from each other.
Leslie Miller Saiontz (right) with daughter Rachel Saiontz Geary, Director of Philanthropy at Achieve Miami
Together with partners from the public and private sector, Achieve Miami designs and manages programs that bring together members from various parts of the community to extend learning opportunities for students, teachers, and community leaders.
How do they do this, you ask? They do this with an array of dynamic programs:
ACHIEVE SATURDAYS
Achieve Saturdays is their flagship program that connects students from 1st to 5th grade with high school volunteers from 9th to 12th grade in five different elementary schools in Miami. Little Buddies and Big Buddies join twice a month to connect over reading, writing, and entertaining activities.
ACHIEVE SUMMER
For six weeks over the summer, Achieve supports all rising K-12th grade students in their love of learning through interactive projects, music, field trips, and more.
ACHIEVE MUSIC
Achieve Music educates 300+ public 2nd to 8th grade students through daily after-school programming in band, voice, percussion, and music theory. Students not only develop skills in playing an instrument, reading music, and working with an ensemble, they also increase their confidence, listening skills, and verbal intelligence.
ACHIEVE HIGH SCHOOL
Achieve Miami offers a variety of programs available to high school students across Miami-Dade by bringing them together to connect, communicate, and collaborate through various service and leadership opportunities, including Achieve Saturdays.
ACHIEVE SCHOLARS
Achieve Scholars is a selective program that provides workshops focusing on the college application process, test preparation, academic advising, mentorship, and leadership training to a diverse group of freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors in ten Title I partner high schools across Miami-Dade.
GIVE MIAMI DAY
Early Giving already began November 17 and when the clock strikes midnight this Thursday, November 21, the 24-hour giving celebration officially launches. Every person gets to pick the nonprofit or issue they want to give to with the minimum donation being $25.
So please consider giving to Achieve Miami, who partner directly with underperforming schools, serving thousands of K-12 students who oftentimes lack the resources and support they need to thrive. I’ve seen it with my own eyes and through the lens of my camera. This is a dynamic organization that’s really impacting the educational landscape in Miami-Dade.
You can find their Give Miami Day donation page HERE
Give Miami Day is presented by The Miami Foundation, which was established in 1967. Over the last 50 years they have invested more than half a billion dollars into the community, and house more than $427 million in assets focused on strengthening Greater Miami.
