The Overtown Youth Center’s (OYC) main focus is to combat the many adverse socioeconomic issues facing residents in the Greater Miami area including: bleak low education attainment, dropout rates, social inequities and systematic poverty, high crime rates, and unemployment. Census data illustrates that the Overtown community; dubbed as one of Miami’s worst neighborhoods, has approximately half of its population living below poverty level (median family income below $20,000), 95% of the student population qualify for Title I services, 35% earned less than a high school diploma and juvenile crime rate is at 49%. The most striking issue is the level of unemployment (30%) by comparison, the unemployment rate for Miami-Dade County is 5.6% as of September 2016.
Through its holistic and comprehensive program design, OYC’s impact reaches over 1,000 individuals each year (students and families combined), but the ripple effect reaches countless individuals who come in contact with our participants. OYC is at a pivotal moment in its program history. It has positioned itself as one of the premier service providers impacting the lives of youth and families in the Greater Miami area. OYC’s goal is to develop youth into resilient individuals, disciplined scholars and productive contributing citizens of society so they can transform their own communities. This Capital Campaign symbolizes a deepened commitment to this community and OYC’s desire to expand its reach and impact. The Mourning Family Foundation in partnership with OYC will raise $15 million support the construction and expansion of programmatic services to over 5,000 youth and families. The Capital Campaign will develop and execute a systematic strategy to fundraising efforts for the build and expansion of the Overtown Youth Center’s existing facility.
The Overtown Youth Center Campus located at 450 NW 14 Street, Miami, FL and consists of two single story buildings. The Administrative Building consists of staff and student functions including offices, spaces for small cubicles, computer and classroom activity, café, and library. The adjacent 11,000 s.f. Gymnasium houses a full size basketball court with bleachers, locker rooms, music studio, dance studio, laundry and storage.
