The Children’s Trust: Community resources available to support children, families this summer and beyond

Summer in South Florida means parents and caregivers have to balance their children’s free time with opportunities for growth and development. Parents do their best to incorporate social, physical, emotional, and academic pursuits into their children’s summer routines. As a parent myself, I know these challenges (hello summer reading list!). Thankfully there are many resources, services, and program opportunities available to support families and help children of all ages to have a productive and enriching summer experience, while preparing for back-to-school.

Finding Fun Activities for Your Children

Parents look for activities that are not only enjoyable for their children but also contribute to their development. This is why The Children’s Trust funds summer camps, paid internships for high schoolers, and enrichment programs. Parents who are still hoping to secure a space for their child in a low-cost or no-cost summer camp can visit 211miami.org/summercamps for a comprehensive listing of camp offerings.

And, if you’re looking for fun family events that will also help prepare you for the upcoming school year, don’t miss out on The Children’s Trust Family Expo. This year the free in-neighborhood events will take place on July 22, July 29, and August 6 in the central, south, and north parts of the county. The Family Expo is an opportunity for parents and kids to learn about low-cost programs, services, and organizations that provide after-school and summer enrichment programs, nutrition education, injury prevention, programs for children with special needs, pre-K registration information, and more.

The UHealth Pediatric Mobile Clinic will also be at Expo to offer free comprehensive medical care to uninsured local children, as well as required school vaccines. Visit umiamihealth.org for more details.

The Family Expo also prioritizes fun, which is essential. In addition to face painting and balloon artists, and music and dancing, you’ll also find arts and crafts and even the UHealth Jackson Urgent Care Teddy Bear Clinic, where children can have their beloved bears “treated” by professionals. This year, exhibitors will also present back-to-school giveaways, including backpacks and other school supplies, in air-conditioned gymnasiums to protect families from high temperatures and thunderstorms.

New this year, to help reduce the barrier of transportation for some families, we have partnered with UBER, to provide families with an Uber Voucher good for up to $15 each way (Uber Voucher terms and conditions apply.) Visit TheChildrensTrust.org/FamilyExpo for more information on the events.

Supporting Families with Affordable Options

Families often feel the impact of income limitations more during the summer, when some of the resources provided by schools may not be available. However, various public benefits and services exist to assist families in need.

The Florida Department of Children and Families offers resources such as food assistance, temporary cash assistance, Medicaid, KidCare, and refugee assistance. The department’s web page (myflfamilies.com/services/public-assistance) provides information on available benefits and offers a virtual assistant for guidance.

The Children’s Trust plays an essential role in assisting families through community partnerships, broad outreach strategies, and personalized assistance. The goal of our Family and Neighborhood Support Partnerships initiative is to provide care coordination and wraparound supports to families. Anyone seeking assistance in various areas can contact 2-1-1 or visit 211miami.org for access to a confidential helpline and database of over 4,000 social service programs and resources.

The summer is a great time to be active, but storms and excessive heat also make indoor activities necessary. More than one in five Miami-Dade residents lack access to the internet, and Miami is the second least-connected large city in the country, limiting opportunities for online learning. This is why The Children’s Trust, along with a collaborative of aligned partners, funds Miami Connected. This initiative aims to make Miami-Dade the most technologically inclusive county in the United States, by providing students and their families with digital skills training, technology-based career opportunities, and free broadband internet to those who qualify. The collaborative also leverages federal connectivity funding to further expand its reach. Visit MiamiConnected.org for more information.

Another organization you can count on to keep your kids engaged and learning is your local library. It provides a haven for children during the summer, combining leisure with learning. The Miami-Dade Public Library System offers a wide range of events, free Wi-Fi, summer reading challenges, and more. The Children’s Trust is a proud funder of the library system’s Technobus and tutoring programs. Check out mdpls.org to explore the various offerings.

While most of us enjoy having our kids home for the summer, increasing the opportunities for quality time, parenting itself can be a challenge. The Children’s Trust Parent Club can help parents build our skills through free workshops in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole. These in-person and virtual sessions cover a variety of relationship and parenting topics, providing parents with valuable insights and new perspectives. For more information, visit TheChildrensTrust.org/ParentClub.

The summer is a great time for parents and caregivers to engage their children in fun and enriching activities, while also preparing for the upcoming school year. Most of us parents need a little help sometimes, and thanks to various community resources, support is available.

Natalia Zea serves as the Chief Public Policy & Engagement Officer for The Children’s Trust. She leads the organization’s efforts to build dynamic, collaborative partnerships with other funders, organizations, and stakeholders to leverage and expand resources to build a better Miami-Dade for children and families.