The Miami Foundation Recognizes Florida Justice Center’s Commitment to South Florida with Community Grant

The Miami Foundation Recognizes Florida Justice Center’s Commitment to South Florida with Community Grant

Nonprofit organization honored to receive 2-year funding award from prestigious foundation to continue providing free legal services in Miami-Dade County

Miami, FL (June 27, 2023) –

One of Florida’s largest charitable organizations, The Miami Foundation, announced Florida Justice Center as a winner of its prestigious Community Grant award in recognition of their unending dedication to empowering justice-impacted people to achieve a second chance at success. This two-year funding award will enable Florida Justice Center to continue providing high-quality free legal services to the people of Miami-Dade County.

Florida Justice Center works hard to ensure Miami-Dade County residents have access to resources that empower them to succeed after an arrest or period of incarceration. In just one year, FLJC has established itself as a major legal services provider and reentry voice in Miami-Dade County. In 2022 alone, Florida Justice Center provided nearly 1,600 free legal services to over 1,100 people in Miami-Dade County. Hosting two community Second Chance Events (Allapattah and Opa-Locka), participating in numerous Walking One Stop events to stop gun violence, sitting on panels at Florida International University and Miami Dade College, meeting with people incarcerated at Everglades Correctional Institution and South Florida Reception Center, distributing toys to children in Miami, and being a founding member of the Umbrella of Hope Reentry Coalition, Florida Justice Center’s commitment to Miami-Dade residents is unquestionable.

With 90.9% of their clients self-identifying as BIPOC and earning a median income of only $13,800 (compared to $31,813 in Miami-Dade as a whole), Florida Justice Center excels at reaching those most in need and those disproportionately affected by the criminal justice system.

For all these reasons and many more, The Miami Foundation, in partnership with Miami-Dade County and The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation, chose Florida Justice Center as one of 95 grantees awarded from hundreds of applicants for its newly launched Community Grant, giving the organization unrestricted general operating funding of $20,000 per year for two years.

“The Miami Foundation has long been a strong ally of equal access to justice and racial equity. From their signature annual Give Miami Day event to their charitable giving, their presence and generosity in South Florida is unrivaled. Each of us thanks The Miami Foundation from the bottom of our hearts,” said Jonathan Bleiweiss, Florida Justice Center’s Executive Director.

About The Miami Foundation

Established in 1967, The Miami Foundation is the foundation for people who are passionate about Miami. The Miami Foundation is focused on building a stronger Miami forever. Over the last 50 years they have invested more than half a billion dollars into the community and have housed more than $427 million in assets focused on strengthening Greater Miami.

To learn more about our impact in Miami-Dade County, read the report below. To help increase our impact, please consider making a tax-deductible donation at FLJC.org/Donate

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Download: Florida Justice Center 2022 Miami-Dade County Impact Report