Kimberly Moncada, director of the Butler Center for Service and Leadership, and Lindsey Goldstein, associate director, secured the grant for $30,000 from The Allstate Foundation for the Butler Center aimed at bolstering existing programs and launching new initiatives. The grant supports youth-led, youth-drive community service among students. This grant is part of The Allstate Foundation’s national efforts to transform how we engage, equip, and prepare youth to participate in community service.
This funding enhances established programs, like FunDay and Miami Dream Day, while paving the way for new engagement opportunities like the Mystery Service Trip, set to debut during National Volunteer Week.
For the past 40 years, FunDay has been a campus tradition of University of Miami students hosting adults with developmental disabilities for a full day of activities and games. The additional funding enabled the students to enhance the experience by including an interactive petting zoo and fun t-shirts for participants. “FunDay is not just an event. It is a continuation of my journey in advocating for acceptance and challenging the stigmas surrounding those with special needs,” said FunDay co-chair Cataryna Senra.
Miami Dream Day, another beneficiary of the grant, orchestrates community service efforts to fulfill local community dreams through service. This day is a collaborative effort between the Butler Center, Multicultural Student Affairs, Miami Day of Service, and United Black Students, where over 230 students volunteered, making this the largest service day of the year.
Funding for the new Mystery Service Trip is part of the “A Return to Service” initiative designed to support our local community partners with sustainability initiatives, aligning with Earth Day festivities during this year’s National Volunteer Week.
“The Allstate Foundation supports organizations like the University of Miami Butler Center for Service and Leadership which play an indispensable role in reinforcing the significance of youth-led service and equipping young people with the vital tools needed to serve their communities,” said Greg Weatherford II, Youth Empowerment Program Officer for The Allstate Foundation. “We hope the University of Miami’s efforts continue to inspire more youth to serve and accelerate positive change where they live and beyond.”
The impact of this grant extends beyond our campus, empowering our students and the larger community. “Receiving this grant is pivotal in ensuring the sustainability and growth of FunDay’s impact on our community. This grant is an investment in the longevity of FunDay as it guarantees that we can uphold its mission of inclusivity and acceptance for years to come,” said Senra. “This grant has allowed us to continue to live out the Butler Center for Service and Leadership’s mission of serving as a catalyst to cultivate positive social change,” said Moncada.
