Catalyst Miami

🗳️ Miami voters need long-term solutions, not funding cuts.

📰 In a new The Miami Times op-ed, Engage Miami Executive Director Katherine Leiva and Catalyst Miami CEO Zelalem Adefris—writing on behalf of the Divest/Invest Coalition—break down how Florida Amendment 3 could create long-term trade-offs for Miami-Dade, including cuts to transit, libraries, public safety, parks, and other essential services.

📲 Know what’s at stake before you vote. Read more: https://www.miamitimesonline.com/opinion/miami-voters-need-long-term-solutions-not-funding-cuts/article_0d6a1235-66c8-4ae2-b654-bf44f8a53d95.html

Want to see a Miami-Dade County budget that reflects your community's priorities? It starts with your voice.

Join us for our next Miami Our Way on Wednesday, August 19, where we're transforming our monthly gathering into a hands-on County Budget Workshop in partnership with Engage Miami, Transit Alliance Miami, and Miami Freedom Project.

Together, we'll break down how the county budget works, why it matters, and how you can advocate for the issues that impact your family and neighborhood most.

By the end of the workshop, you'll:
✅ Understand the Miami-Dade County budget process
✅ Learn how to effectively advocate for your community
✅ Leave with a personalized advocacy plan and a drafted public comment for an upcoming budget hearing

Your voice belongs in the budget conversation. Join us and help shape the future of Miami-Dade. 💙

Miami faces challenges that demand innovation, passion, and a strong drive to answer the call of service to others.

It’s why we train residents on key issues that impact our communities, building a coalition of passionate advocates and activists who are changing the world around them from the ground up.

For 30 years, our has risen to the challenge to transform what it means to create systemic, sustainable change in South Florida.

Meet some of the leaders who have impacted the way we live out our mission!

Read more of these Stories of Impact at: https://stories.catalystmiami.org/

Building stronger communities starts with building stronger connections. 🌿

Our partners at the Society of the Flora, Fauna & Friend are accepting applications for the next Ecosystems of Connection Fellowship, a nine-month virtual program designed to nurture spiritual and emotional care for community organizers and changemakers.

If you're looking to deepen your practice, connect with others, and grow alongside a supportive community, learn more and apply by September 27 at the link below.

🔗 https://form.jotform.com/261666649729071n

Join the Miami-Dade County Government and the Department of Solid Waste Management for a Press Conference and the Official Unveiling of Miami-Dade County's Zero Waste Master Plan, along with an announcement highlighting the County's continued partnership with the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB).

The event will feature an engaging speaking program, as well as opportunities to participate in interactive activities designed to help bring the Zero Waste Master Plan to life.

📅 Friday, July 31, 2026
🕙 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
📍 Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay
1633 N. Bayshore Drive, Miami, FL 33132

🎟️ RSVP by emailing [email protected].
Questions? Contact Frank Calderon at 786-516-1001.

If taking public transit, exit at the Adrienne Arsht Metromover Station.

Parking is available via self-parking or valet for $26 for event attendees.

According to the NOAA, the 2026 hurricane season will be “below normal,” but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t still be prepared.

Preparation can make the difference between safely riding out a storm or uncomfortably navigating a disaster.

Do you feel ready? What’s your go-to hurricane preparedness item? Comment below to share ideas someone else can learn from!

Help Shape Public Art in Your Community

The Underline’s Pillar Art Initiative is bringing together residents, community leaders, organizers, advocates, and artists to help inform future public art installations in Overtown, Little Havana, and South Miami.

Join a community conversation and share your ideas, stories, and perspectives to help ensure future artwork reflects the culture and identity of these neighborhoods.

In-person and virtual focus groups available:
🗓️ July 27 (Zoom)
🗓️ July 28 (South Miami Branch Library)
🗓️ July 29 (Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus)
🗓️ July 30 (Zoom)

**Register today: http://go.fiu.edu/underline

Hosted by the FIU Maurice A. Ferré Institute for Civic Leadership and Jorge M. Pérez Metropolitan Center FIU Metropolitan Center in partnership with The Maurice A. Ferré Foundation, Catalyst Miami, Engage Miami, and The Underline.

From Dade to Duval, we can reform our healthcare system so that every Floridian can not only stay healthy–but thrive!

Every day, hundreds of thousands of Floridians work hard, but can’t escape the gap of earning too much to qualify for Medicaid, but too little to afford private coverage. It’s a gap we can collectively do something about.

Here’s what you need to know!

👏🏽 Expanding who qualifies for Medicaid (called Medicaid Expansion or MedEx) would make affordable health care available to hundreds of thousands of Floridians.

💸 The federal funding is already there to make it happen.

🤝 We can get MedEx on the ballot for voter approval in 2028.
We know that when we come together, change is possible, and when we exercise our right to be civically engaged, even bigger change is possible.

So let’s work together to put this issue on the ballot for 2028!

Tap the link to request your petition to add MedEx to the 2028 ballot, so that hundreds of thousands of your friends and neighbors can gain access to affordable, life-saving care.

https://fl.tallyed.com/SingleCampaignPetition/4e75430f-6c10-4f14-abe3-3709b2c0bb00/CatalystMiami