Educational Support

We support academic achievement with literacy classes led by certified teachers at each site, qualified grade-level instructors, and reading interventionist. We also offer SAT/ACT tutoring, school supplies, incentives for grades, and support for school projects. We also offer time for homework help, SAT/ACT tutoring, individualized tutoring, school supplies, incentives for grades, access to technology, and support for school projects.

In School Support

TML Staff serve as In-School Coordinators working alongside students in our program during the school day. Our goal is to break barriers as we work with students to create higher expectations and establish patterns of positive attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors regarding school and education. Impacting student achievement is a complex issue that requires both long-term commitment and diverse strategies and Touching Miami with Love is making a difference as our staff bridge the divide between home, school, and TML working with students and coordinating with teachers as we seek to improve grades, school attendance and ultimately graduation rates.

Spiritual Support

We offer weekly Devo Times during the school year and once a week in the summer. As we welcome all youth, we introduce them to our God, who uniquely made and loves them, and we share how Christ’s spirit helps us to be in the world but not of it.

Fitness

We provide daily time for fitness and sports programming to ensure healthy lifestyles using the evidence-based Sparks curriculum with our coaching staff.

STEM Learning

We host enrichment sessions filled with fun science experiments, computer coding, engineering projects, and math enrichment.

Field Trips, Reward Trips, Outings & Excursions

With the goal of learning new things, students explore Miami-Dade and beyond through day and overnight trips. We host several trips throughout the year on Teacher Planning Days, during Spring Break, and in the summer. We are grateful for our partnerships with Sierra Club Miami, Shake-a-Leg, Branches, Big City Mountaineers, and more, which expand our students’ opportunities and experiences.

Creative Arts

Creative Arts sessions give youth the opportunity to explore, create, and dream.  Our creative arts programming includes visual arts, performing arts, and culinary arts exposing our students to lots of new opportunities. Partnership enriches our program with the following past partners: Perez Art Museum, Miami Symphony Orchestra, FLIPANY, and many local artists.

Social Skills

Each week we present fun, interactive activities Social Skills lessons to youth to create higher expectations, establish a pattern of positive attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors regarding themselves, others, and their community.

Evening Dinners

Our evening programming is held one night a week at both sites and begins with a full sit-down dinner for all youth in middle and high school. Designed to re-create the family dinner hour, meals shared over conversation encourage youth as they navigate life circumstances.

Mentoring

Informal time is built into programming with middle and high school students to allow for natural conversations. These present critical opportunities to mentor and encourage students on their path to success.

Post-Secondary Advisor

Our Post-Secondary Advisor hsignificantly enhanced support for at-risk middle and high school students in Overtown and West Homestead. They play a pivotal role in guiding students through post-secondary education and career planning, offering personalized assistance with college applications, technical school enrollment, and trade apprenticeship opportunities.

Summer Internships

Summer internships at both sites provide our high school youth with the opportunity to grow as leaders. Students complete resume and cover letter writing sessions are then selected for interviews. Up to ten students per site are given paid summer internships where they receive 35 hours of job training in addition to on the job coaching. Every TML alumni on staff with us has served as a summer intern. We are thankful for the continued partnership with The Children’s Trust and Ocean Reef Community Foundation for their support of this project.