Written by: TFV-PR • December 22, 2021• In the Community

Two Miami Nonprofits get Financial Jolt to Employ Underserved Youth

Bank of America Names Gang Alternative, Inc. and The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County 2021 Neighborhood Builders®

Programs that help address local issues around workforce training and career development will be able to scale, helping even more people through a multi-year grant from Bank of America. Gang Alternative, Inc. and The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County (The Arsht Center) have been named as the 2021 Bank of America Neighborhood Builders® awardees for their work in the Miami-Dade community to address workforce development issues.

As a Neighborhood Builder, each organization receives a $200,000 grant over two years, comprehensive leadership training for the executive director and an emerging leader on topics ranging from increasing financial sustainability, human capital management and strategic storytelling, joins a network of peer organizations across the U.S., and gets the opportunity to access capital to expand their impact. The program continues to be the nation’s largest investment into nonprofit leadership development.

Gang Alternative, Inc. (GA) focuses on helping disadvantaged youth develop a strategic career plan tailored to their interests and goals, meeting the individual where they are and using a multi-generation approach to include parents/guardians. The funding provided by the bank will allow for the organization to expand its workforce and career development programs to include youth and families who do not meet the eligibility criteria dictated by other funders. In addition to the fund, Program Manager Ashley Raphael will serve as the emerging leader from GA who will participate in leadership development to continue furthering GA’s mission and level of impact.

The Arsht Center will be using the grant to fund its apprenticeship program. Currently, less than 1% of theatrical professionals are Black. The Arsht Center Technical Apprenticeship Program seeks to create more equity in the industry by preparing Miami-Dade County residents, ages 18-24, from diverse backgrounds and underrepresented communities for a professional career in technical theater. Under the supervision of industry professionals, paid apprentices work daily on projects related to Arsht Center performances and events. They join performance running crews alongside union stagehands, gaining valuable exposure to local and international artists, technicians, and companies. In addition to technical training, apprentices attend “Life Skills” workshops focusing on financial literacy, health, resume-building and more. Through the grant, the apprenticeship program will provide full benefits and increase wages for first and second-year apprentices beginning in 2022, eliminating their financial barriers in completing the program. Additional information on the program can be found here. The Arsht Center’s Director of Production and Senior Director of HR will work with Mo Beasley, Technical Director, to serve as the emerging leader participating in leadership development.

“As the workforce landscape continuously changes, it is imperative to support nonprofits that provide workforce training and career development programming to underserved and underrepresented communities,” said Gene Schaefer, president, Bank of America Miami. “Gang Alternative, Inc. and The Arsht Center Technical Theater Apprenticeship Program are helping bridge important gaps and expand accessibility for individuals and families to help them chart a path toward economic opportunity and stability. Programs like Neighborhood Builders helps these organizations grow sustainably and strategically for greater positive impact in the community.”

“Through Bank of America’s support, we will expand our efforts to provide holistic services to aid the underserved in achieving economic self-sufficiency using an individualized approach to meet their unique needs,” said Michael Nozile President and CEO of Gang Alternative, Inc.

“Creating diversity in the entertainment field is not only the right thing to do, but it brings with it the power of varied experiences and unique approaches to our industry. With this generous gift from Bank of America, the Arsht Center takes one more step in offering these young professionals a competitive wage and benefits needed to truly pave the way for long-term careers in theater production,” said Trish Brennan, Vice President, Human Resources.

Since 2004, Bank of America has invested over $280 million in 50 communities through Neighborhood Builders, partnering with more than 1,400 nonprofits and helping more than 2,800 nonprofit leaders strengthen their leadership skills. Here in Miami-Dade County, 27 nonprofits have been selected as a Neighborhood Builder, with the bank investing more than $5 million into these local organizations through the program since 2004.

The invitation-only program is highly competitive, and leading members of the community participated in a collaborative selection process to identify this year’s awardees. Neighborhood Builders is just one example of how Bank of America deploys capital in communities, builds cross-sector partnerships, and promotes socioeconomic progress as part of its approach to responsible growth.

(Visited 53 times, 1 visits today)