Catalyst Miami

Our programs include a number of free direct services (healthcare and food stamps enrollment, financial coaching, tax preparation, credit building, and non-predatory emergency loans to name a few), but we know that these are short-term solutions. We take things a step further at Catalyst Miami in seeking long-term change through grassroots advocacy training. We are part of a statewide coalition advocating for Medicaid expansion because it would mean hundreds of thousands of Floridians would gain health coverage. We also explore the public health concerns of climate change in our climate resilience advocacy training, CLEAR.

It all began in 1995, when founder, Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava, co-chaired a committee at the League of Women Voters with an officer of the Roblee Foundation, to address the impact of welfare reform on low-income families. Catalyst Miami became a champion for the Earned Income Tax Credit and and local organizer of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance network for South Florida. Over the years, more direct services were added to our suite of what became known as the Prosperity Campaign, based on the evolving needs of our clients. The organization's focus also expanded to civic engagement and leadership development, so a number of grassroots advocacy trainings and workshops were launched--some have come and gone, while others have been around for 10 years, again, to respond and adjust to the issues affecting low-wealth communities.