by Yurianna Mikolay,
Executive Director, Ocean Reef Community Foundation
Children in the Burton Memorial Child Development Center Summer School Enrichment Program enjoyed educational adventures at Florida Keys attractions this summer, thanks to a $25,000 ORCF Community Grant.
Summer is a season of adventure, discovery and fun – and for hundreds of children throughout the Upper Keys, Homestead and Florida City, it’s also a time to keep learning, growing and thriving thanks to the generosity of Ocean Reef Club Members. This summer, ORCF Community Grants are helping provide enriching camp and educational programs that keep children engaged long after the school year ends. From science experiments and creative arts to outdoor play, leadership development and academic enrichment, these programs offer safe, supportive environments where young people can build confidence, develop new skills and create lasting memories. Just as importantly, they give working parents peace of mind, knowing their children are spending their days in caring, supervised settings while they are at work.
Among this year’s Community Grant recipients, the following organizations are offering summer programs supported by ORCF funding:
- Burton Memorial United Methodist Church received a $25,000 grant for its Child Development Center Summer School Enrichment Program.
- Key Largo School K-8 was awarded $50,000 to provide its popular Summer Recreation Program for up to 250 Pre-K through fifth grade students.
- Ocean Studies Charter School’s $7,400 grant supports its Summer Enrichment Program.
- Centro Campesino received $35,000 to help provide after-school and summer programs for 160 children at two locations.
- Breakthrough Miami was awarded $15,000 for its academic enrichment and leadership development program serving Homestead and Florida City students, including through the summer months.
- St. Justin Martyr Catholic Church Child Development Center received $20,000 for summer camp scholarships for underprivileged youth in the Upper Keys.
Children at St. Justin Martyr Catholic Church Child Development Center cooled off with outdoor water fun during summer camp. A $20,000 ORCF Community Grant helped provide scholarships so more local children could enjoy a safe, enriching summer.
These smiling faces are a wonderful reminder that the impact of All Charities Weekend extends far beyond a single February weekend. Every bid placed, every donation made and every volunteer hour invested creates opportunities for local children to learn, explore and succeed throughout the year. Thank you for helping make summer brighter – and futures stronger – for children in our surrounding communities.
