Seven of our Give Miami Day interns this year are The Miami Foundation scholarship recipients, and we could not be prouder. We often only think about Give Miami Day as a way to give our dollars generously. But this season offers so many ways to support our community’s nonprofits, and our new internship program provides nonprofits with extra resources to boost their fundraising.
At The Miami Foundation, we are always thinking about the many ways we can offer our scholars meaningful opportunities, both inside the classroom and beyond it. A scholarship helps open the door to college, and hands-on experience helps students walk through it with confidence and keep building toward the futures they imagine for themselves.
That’s why we’re celebrating these seven scholars. Each one rose to the top of the candidate pool based on the strength of their applications, and each has been matched with a Miami nonprofit. We can’t wait to see what they bring to those teams.
Why these opportunities matter for students
As interns, our scholars are practicing professional skills like communication, teamwork, project management, and problem-solving in a real workplace. They are building relationships with mentors and colleagues that can guide them for years to come. And they get to see, up close, how their talents connect to causes they care about right here at home.
For many students, that first professional experience is also a confidence boost. It’s the moment they realize they belong in the room, and that their ideas and energy are valued.
How our community benefits
While our scholars are growing, they are also lending their time, talent, and fresh perspective to nonprofits across Miami.
Many of the organizations that make our community stronger are small teams doing a great deal with limited resources. In fact, about one-third of Miami’s nonprofits operate without any full-time staff, relying on volunteers, part-time staff, or a mix of both to carry out their work. Our scholars are helping strengthen the capacity of these nonprofits to continue the important work they do every day, from supporting youth and families to expanding access to the arts and serving people with disabilities.
It’s also a reminder that Miami’s next generation of leaders is already here, already invested in this community, and ready to contribute.
Meet our scholar interns
Here are the seven Foundation scholarship recipients who have joined the Give Miami Day team, and the nonprofits they are supporting.
Ortega Foundation Scholarship recipients
- Camila Mojica, also a Judge Sydney Aronovitz Scholarship recipient, is matched with the Ballplayers Foundation.
- Isabel Hernandez is matched with Bridge Disability Network Inc. Check out her incredible story on Miami Dade College’s Campus Conversations Podcast.
- Julia Fogel is matched with Coastlove.
- Valexa Velazquez is matched with Latine Theater Lab.
“Working with Latine Theater Lab has been such a rewarding experience! As a marketing student, I’ve loved being able to apply what I’m learning in the classroom to a real organization while using my creativity to help promote its mission.” — Valexa Velazquez, scholarship recipient and Give Miami Day intern
Venture Miami Scholarship recipients
- Marie Vlad is matched with Trinity Christian Fellowship.
- Jaime D. Pereira is matched with Latin and American US Foundation.
“This has been an amazing opportunity to use my digital marketing skills to help share stories that matter to our community.” — Jaime Perreira, scholarship recipient and Give Miami Day intern
CAP Scholarship recipient
- Samantha Florvil is matched with After School Film Institute.
Cheer them on
A heartfelt “thank you” to the nonprofits who welcomed our scholars, and to our scholarship fundholders, whose generosity makes moments like this possible.
If you’d like to be part of the story, consider supporting the nonprofits they’re working with on Give Miami Day, November 19. Every gift helps these organizations continue the work our community counts on.