Summer Boost for Mental Health of Kids

Physical activity and sunshine help keep children, youth in good spirits

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and what better time to take stock of your children’s social and emotional wellness. The good news is that the summer break is only weeks away and there is often a boost in children’s mental health during the summertime. 

Although big increases in digital consumption – as much as 10 times more for children under 8 according to a study by Common Sense Media cited by NPR – and the pandemic put a damper on some traditional summertime fun, the truth is the summer break is still a magical time for most youth. It is a time they look forward to with happy anticipation as the pressures and anxieties that can be associated with the school year fade away and their minds and bodies relax.

2023 Checklist for Safe Summer Refreshment

Keep kids safe on street, online and in water

By Priscilla Greear

Jumping on the trampoline at twilight and enjoying watermelon and fireworks. Playing sharks and minnows in the neighbor's pool or building castles by the seashore. Florida summer fun time fast approaches with long, hot days of splashing and playing the afternoons away both online and in Florida's eternal sunshine. So plan now for the most enriching summer experiences for your children. And take cyber, water and gun safety precautions to prevent injury, illness and in-a-flash mishaps.

The Trust to Fund 143 After-School & Summer Programs

Over $380 million investment will fund programs over 5 years

Miami-Dade County's children will soon have even more access to expanded, high-quality after-school and summer camp programs thanks to a historic funding commitment by The Children's Trust. The Trust approved a record $76.6 million to fund high-quality after-school and summer camp programs for children and youth in Miami-Dade in the next fiscal year. Over the next five years, that investment will likely top $380 million and represents a record level of funding for The Trust’s Youth Development initiative in the 20-year history of The Trust.

The funding will directly benefit over 36,000 school-aged children and youth at 143 programs in 682 program locations – a 41 percent expansion in priority areas such as Liberty City, Overtown, Little Haiti, Little Havana, West Coconut Grove, and Florida City/Homestead among others.

50 New Mini-Soccer Pitches Coming to Miami-Dade

Free leagues and programs for youth to be in place before 2026 World Cup

Can’t wait for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be played in Miami and throughout the United States, Mexico and Canada? Well, thanks to the recently announced Miami-Dade Soccer Initiative, your kids won’t have to wait much longer to start playing soccer, even if you don’t have any soccer pitches near your neighborhood right now.

At a special news conference held in April, the U.S. Soccer Foundation, The Children’s Trust, Citadel founder/CEO and philanthropist Kenneth C. Griffin, and others announced the launch of the initiative that will include the creation of 50 new soccer mini-pitches and accompanying programming to create leagues and other soccer related programs. The initiative is focused on increasing access to the game and improving the health and well-being of at least 36,000 children by 2030.

Record-Breaking Champions for Children Awards Ceremony Brims With Emotion

The Children’s Trust debuts its first-ever Youth Leadership Award at ceremony

Every Champions for Children Awards Ceremony is a special chance for child and family advocates across Miami-Dade County to come together to celebrate exceptional work of committed individuals and programs. But the 17th Annual ceremony celebrated on April 27 had an even more emotional spirit than usual.  

It may have been the record-breaking nearly 1,200 attendees that showed up at the DoubleTree by Hilton Miami International Airport & Convention Center to celebrate, or maybe it was the new award categories, or the passionate performance given by a youth who has been part of the organization’s 20th anniversary celebration. Maybe it was all the above and more, but what was undeniable was that those present will not likely forget the event and those honored.

Trust Gets Read Into Congressional Record Thanks to Rep. Carlos Gimenez

20th Anniversary celebrated in our nation’s capital

It’s not every day that your name and achievements are read into the Congressional Record at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. 

But that is exactly what happened last month when Representative Carlos Gimenez generously touted The Children’s Trust and its 20th Anniversary in front of the most important legislative body in the world. The Congressional Record is a daily record of the proceedings of Congress and is published in the permanent collections of Congress. 

Book of the Month: A Grand Day Explores Bond Between Kids & Grandparents

Looking for a summer camp program for your child? The Children's Trust funds different programs that stress engaging, active and educational summer camp programs.