"Foundation Invests in Overtown Job Training," South Florida Business Journal, February 2, 2004.

Trustees of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation said they have approved more than $1.5 million in new grant awards for organizations, including job training groups, serving Overtown residents.

The foundation said its investments will not only help Overtown residents train for better-paying jobs, but will also prepare them for home ownership, provide after-school youth activities and nurture other resources for low-income families in Miami's historic African-American community.

In August, the Knight Foundation spent $1.4 million on low-income housing in Overtown. The funds are part of the foundation's neighborhood revitalization initiative for the Overtown and East Little Havana communities, now approaching $20 million.

Among the latest grants, all for three-year periods:

Partners for Self-Employment of Miami received $225,000 for a program aimed at increasing home ownership and improving Overtown residents' access to financial programs and services. Now in its 10th year, the organization's Micro-Business USA program helps low-income families earn, save and manage money.
Communities in Schools of Miami received $247,500 for its LEAD program (Leadership, Empowerment and Academic Development) and, in partnership with the Miami Rescue Mission and B.A.M.E. Community Development Corp., Miami, received $200,000 for job training and workforce development programs at two Overtown technology centers.
Hodding Carter III, Knight Foundation president and chief executive officer, said when the group launched its Overtown revitalization effort two years ago, it understood the task was going to require a sizable, long-term investment.

"We are encouraged by the level of excellent work under way by a number of local and national organizations that are focusing their energies on Overtown," he said. "But we don't want to kid ourselves. We know this is going to be an extended effort."

Other Overtown groups the Knight Foundation said it is donating to include:

Overtown Youth Center: $200,000 for after-school youth programs.
Roots in the City: $194,250, for beautifying five Overtown sites with murals and gardens.

Suited for Success: $150,00 for job readiness programs in Overtown and East Little Havana.

Adopt-a-Classroom: $100,000 to provide supplementary instructional materials for elementary teachers.

KidVentures: $90,000 for entrepreneurship education for middle and high school students.

Greater Miami Tennis Foundation: $75,000 for after-school and summer youth programs.

Miami Children's Museum: $60,000 for programs serving children from low-income families.

© 2004 American City Business Journals Inc.