HomeMy WebLinkAboutExhibit ATHE CIRCLE
OF BROTHERHOOD
November 9, 2021
Mayor Francis Suarez
Miami Riverside Center (MRC)
444 SW 2"d Avenue
Miami, FL. 33130
Dear Mayor,
On behalf of the Circle of Brotherhood and myself, we personally want to thank you for
supporting our dream for our community. Your donation of $1,000,000 will benefit so many
families and people in need. You saw our vision and have honored your commitment to assist us
in a mighty way.
As the Mayor of the City of Miami, you have heard the cries of citizens. Our program will not
only continue to assist the residence with Public Housing but we will implement more programs
to assist our youth. We must continue to go to street corners and in the worst areas to speak to
those who have lost their way. This is what we have dedicated our lives to.
Once again, Thank You and please take time to review the attached scope and budget
information to see what this wonderful donation will provide for many.
Sincerely,
t �Foyj nes
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r
THE CIRCLE
OF BROTHERH00D..
"Black Men Solving Their Own
Community Problems"
American Rescue Plan Act /Covid Relief Fund
Re: Proposed Scope of Services with The Circle of Brotherhood COB; in response to $1,000,000.000
proffered under the American Rescue Plan Act /Covid Relief and Assistance Fund.
The ARPA guidelines emphasize that funds are intended to address negative impacts of the
pandemic on disproportionately affected communities and populations as well as to respond to
the negative economic impacts created or exacerbated by the pandemic. To this end Circle of
Brotherhood has tailored a response plan that meets all American Rescue Plan Act guidelines
matched with our organizational strengths and our capacity to impact community based
Covid-19 recovery efforts.
Implementation and research framework model:
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) was founded in 1981 by Robert
Greenstein to analyze federal budget priorities, with a particular focus on how budget
choices affect low-income Americans. We have broadened our work considerably over
the years as we responded to new developments and entered new areas of
research.CBPP is a nonpartisan research and policy institute. CBPP pursues federal and
state policies designed both to reduce poverty and inequality and to restore fiscal
responsibility in equitable and effective ways. CBPP applies expertise in budget and tax
issues and in programs and policies that help low-income people, in order to help inform
debates and achieve better policy outcomes
.Findings Related to ARPA Funds: Using the Fiscal Recovery Funds in these ways to address
the immediate crisis would, in and of itself, have long-term benefits. Boosting access to income
supports and programs that can help households pay for rent, food, and child care, for example,
would reduce the number of people who become homeless and face other severe hardships
that can harm their and their children's physical and mental health. Investing in people's mental
health, improving support for people with substance use disorders, and helping people in other
ways that reduce their contact with police and the criminal justice system, especially for Black
people, would increase their safety.
Circle of Brotherhood Covid-19 /Pandemic Community Wellness and Recovery Initiative
Purpose:
• Wellness support for Miami City residents to deal with mental health challenges.
Mental health problems increased markedly during the pandemic. Specifically targeting
low-income areas and Black and brown communities, where adequate and affordable
mental health services are particularly lacking.
A Message from Dr. Nel Wieman, Senior Medical Officer, Mental Health and Wellness
Feeling worried during a crisis is quite normal. You may have feelings of distress due to the
uncertainty we are experiencing. You might even find that the COVID-19 pandemic triggers
symptoms of trauma. Living through a pandemic can certainly affect mental health and
wellness. By being aware of these negative impacts on our wellness, we are better able to cope
with them.
First Nations people have a history of suffering adverse health impacts due to infectious
disease. Due to the historical, intergenerational, and contemporary trauma that many First
Nations individuals live with, the pandemic can also be a trigger for symptoms related to trauma
including increased distress, irritability, avoidance, and feeling overly emotional.
It will be very helpful if people can stay calm, keep themselves informed, and feel in control of
the measures that they can take to protect themselves and their families. It's also important for
First Nations people and communities to realize that we have so many strengths. We have been
through adverse circumstances before — many, many times. We will get through this pandemic
too. We are resilient. We are stronger together.
One of the best things we can do for our mental wellness is to be as informed as possible
without spending 24 hours a day listening to news channels, radio or being on social media.
Give yourself some hours a day dedicated to activities that make you feel good. That could be a
whole number of different things depending on who you are. Try to choose activities that
encompass all parts of wellness — heart, mind, body and spirit.
. Establish Public Housing / Neighborhood Assistance Support and Resource
Network (COB)
The lack of affordable and workforce housing was an issue prior to the pandemic and
has now been exacerbated as a result of rising unemployment. The coming months
may reveal the devastating effects more clearly as the bonus unemployment payments
and the eviction moratorium are set to end. Within these guidelines, we will provide
services that support housing, workforce training, programs providing social support to
those impacted by the pandemic, and support to help businesses who provide critical
support to city of Miami residents with such needs.
Socio-Epidemiological Study of the Cycle of Public Housing and Poverty and The Application of
Best Practices in Human Transformation and Community Relocation Initiatives Abstract: Circular
patterns of poverty, crime, violence, and educational failures in urban public housing
communities across America and designated zones in Miami Dade that have been plagued by
poverty, non -effective communication and poor education and have seen in most cases; no long
term investment in sustainable proven initiatives that cover all areas of transitional and
community development. Too many quick fix and clean up or move out campaigns are launched
where the appearance of improvement lasts for a little while and the status quo returns. There is
the need for public housing residents who are in the process of relocation to be properly
supported based on long term needs; concerning quality of life issues and issues related to the
transitional housing process. This initiative attacks the mindset that produces cycles and
generations of families in public housing. Having no navigational framework for life or a process
leads to thoughts of worthlessness/decreased human value, and non -productive living... poor
quality of living will remain as a norm; which at its' roof stems from the lack of a connector of
governmental and educational objectives. We are that connector; that leads toward personal
and social introspection and empowerment, which in turn leads to the discovery of one's aim
and purpose for self and community.
https•//www miamiherald com/news/local/community/miami-dade/edison-liberty-city/article24984
4478.htm1#story1ink=bianews related
• Community Based Services to reduce violence, prevent crime, and reduce
recidivism.
The high -profile police killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and others — and
continued police killings of unarmed Black and brown people — have led to growing
demands to shift toward non -police alternatives to public safety. Further, because the
current policing and incarceration system grew out of a racist history of oppression
targeting Black people and retains many features of that legacy, changing it is
imperative for building a more equitable country in which everyone is safe and able to
thrive. Several provisions of the American Rescue Plan help states and localities
respond to spikes in violence related to the pandemic; specifically systems of
emergency response and replace systems of control and punishment with more
forward -looking, human -centered investments. By strategically investing ARPA funds,
we can help the families hardest -impacted by the pandemic recover and rebuild; support
community -based solutions to reduce violence and promote safer neighborhoods; Our
primary focus will target violent youthful offenders 15-24.
Impact initiatives for wayward youth have been seen as an age- old remedy to address
disciplinary oriented problems, common in deviant (criminal) or anti- social behavior. It is Circle
of Brotherhood's philosophy that this concept has great merit but has historically lacked the key
elements and components necessary to create youth transformation. Most Impact -oriented
programs for youth aged 14 - 21 focus on compliance procedures as the cornerstone of their
approach to turning youth around, instead of an approach that includes the procedure of
compliance; while rooting the crux of the training in self improvement and human development.
Program Objectives:
1.Lead a City-wide Personal Wellness Campaign aiding city residents in Pandemic recovery
efforts:Launch a public awareness campaign that includes a centralized, one -stop -shop
webpage where people can learn about the various kinds of Wellness and pandemic supports
for which they may be eligible. The campaign includes door to door and media outreach
targeted to particular communities and to engage community -based groups in raising
awareness and participation in Wellness activities and directing people to the centralized site
for ongoing guidance and instruction.
Our objectives are as follows:
• Save as many lives as we can from misinformation related to COVID 19 and
vaccinations and comorbidities
• To educate the public on proper Health Care practices addressing the
Comorbidities and matters related to COVID 19 pandemic
• Give medical and social work students, unemployed health care workers, along
with unemployed community members an opportunity to participate in hands on
learning and community outreach
• Conduct community wellness checks and information seminars related to
research, communication, policy, and best practices.
• Expose the public to international best practices in Healthcare that have
positively impacted COVID 19 recovery efforts
• Concentrate on most affected and most vulnerable communities and
populations
• Expose residents to doctors and scientists doing world renowned work related
to the Pandemic and Best practices and community based Health Care
• Build a long term relationship that will allow residents ongoing opportunities to
do community outreach work and participate in grassroots health education;
through volunteering, internships, paid stipends and job opportunities.
The Circle of Brotherhood will provide the following direct services throughout the city of Miami:
• Mentoring and Recreational/ Fitness Activities
• Parenting Classes /Counseling and Mental health referrals
• Police and community relations forums
• Youth Peace and Wellness Ambassadors Training
• Neighborhood based seminars and hands on wellness trainings
• Wellness/Healing classes men/women /children (Schools and Parks)
Expected Outcome: Human Transformation This involves the implementation of
training modules that cause a paradigm shift in the thinking, psychology, and awareness
of one's worth, value, and role as it relates to personal development and respect for
human life. This paradigm shift holds perpetual self improvement at the core of its
practice. We desire to bring the best human and youth health and wellness practices
that exist in the city of Miami . This initiative goes beyond identifying best practices and
moves toward commitment from proven practitioners and what it will take to implement
them on the neighborhood level. With this approach, we may not find ourselves again
having to circle around revolving quality of life issues versus evolving people who are
moving toward the goal of human excellence in every field or endeavor; recovering
internally from the pandemic as well as externally.
2. Establish Public Housing / Neighborhood Assistance and Support Network
Build Robust Outreach to Help Eligible Residents Get Needed Help
The American Rescue Plan's assistance to help people pay rent and utilities, buy food, and pay
for child care and other basic needs will have less impact if many eligible people don't know
that it is available or how to get it. Thoughtful, robust plans for outreach and application
assistance are therefore critical. To maximize their impact and lay the groundwork for a stronger
system moving forward, these plans should help people access a// supports for which they are
eligible, including those that pre -date the Rescue Plan. Circle of Brotherhood has designed
outreach efforts focused on people with unique challenges. These include public housing
residents, nearby city of Miami residents and their family members, who may face relocation
and stabilization barriers and may have misplaced or legitimate concerns about working with
Public Housing agencies.
While there is a small percentage of citizenry who need services and information for better
living who are apathetic toward available resources, the overwhelming majority of Miami
citizens residing in zip codes targeted as the most prone to housing related deficits are in need
of awareness and the proper linkage to processes that lend access to services and resources
that they qualify for. We cannot continue to rely on traditional mediums of connecting people
to services; outside of a hands on- community based approach; by those who live in the
designated areas for community redevelopment and intervention.
Topics in Our Training and case management will include:
• Cultural Awareness
• Housing Transitioning
• Exploring Long- and Short -Term Life Goals
• Section 8 Public Housing 101
• Moving into New Areas & Arenas
• Making and Breaking Habits
• Referrals to Accessible Health Care
• Referrals to Accessible Mental Health Care
• Referrals to Substance Abuse Treatment
• Barrier Removal Process
• The Legalities of Life Transitions
• Navigation 101
• Exploring Long- and Short -Term Residential Goals
• Transitional Life Coaching
• Mentorship toward Home Ownership
• Case Management Process/Case Managers
• Developing Peer Support Specialists
• Assisting Transportation needs
• Job Interview preparation
• Grooming and Self Care
• Conflict Resolution
• Financial Planning
• Household Management
• Overcoming Impediments
• Youth Development Needs
• Addressing New Child Care Arrangements
• Child Adjustment to Relocation Changes: (New
School, Community Linkages {Church, Activities,
Program Design : All relocation/ public housing or residents facing evictions will be assigned a COB case
manager and will be placed in to one of three groupings
Initial Relocation Phase - These are residents who are yet to move and are on the front end of the
continuum of COB services
Stabilization Phase - These are residents who have relocated and will receive assistance with
maintaining new residents, neighborhood readjustment support, subsistence support along with
tailored services
Upward Mobility Phase - These are residents that have become stable in their new residence and are
now afforded support for planning for personal, family and economic growth and living opportunities .
All residents will have the opportunity to take our work readiness class , along with scheduled courses
related to life, relocation and residential needs
Expected Outcomes:
our life skills/ work readiness/self improvement training sets our program amongst the internationally
elite in human transformation services. Participants must complete this four week transformative
experience before entering their trade modules. Thousands of Miami residents have participated in our
work readiness training experiences (2014-present) and gone on to gainful employment in construction,
hospitality, security and culinary arts. They experience mental/emotional breakthroughs from their
traumas in life, self- discovery, mending family relationships, a new approach to community, educational
development, the removal of self- destructive (anti -employment) behaviors and a mental toughness
approach to job training with tools to navigate life. It could be equally said that thousands also have not
been able to sustain employment and navigation of life past the work readiness class; which makes this
opportunity to provide after care and wrap around services invaluable to Miami residents
underrepresented in the employment arena. Personnel and resources to support our clients after their
work readiness training and initial placements would be ideal.
3.Provide direct services 500 families with a focus on Transformational Training and Youth
Development Needs; particular to Juvenile Justice
This Initiative is designed to focus on violent youthful offenders (14-25) attached to our Juvenile
Justice and adult court system with the proper mentoring and follow up needed to keep them
from committing more violence or falling further into the criminal justice system
Supporting Adolescents and Young Adults Exposed to or Experiencing Violence During the
COVID-19 Pandemic
Maya I. Raoavan, M.D., M.P.H., M.S.,a,* Alison J__Q1dYha, M.D., Ph.D.,b Fatimah I Muhammad, M.A.,c
and Elizabeth Miller, M.D., Ph.D.b
Supporting adolescents and young adults (AYAs) exposed to or experiencing violence is a crucial
responsibility of AYA-serving health professionals. In the United States, exposure to parental or
caregiver intimate partner violence (IPV), adolescent relationship abuse (ARA), and youth
violence pose significant threats to AYA health and disproportionally impact youth of color
living in neighborhoods with concentrated disadvantage [LU, LZ, LU, W]. The COVID-19
pandemic is both transforming the epidemiology of violence experienced by AYAs and
impacting AYA-serving programs and services designed to prevent violence and mitigate
negative health sequalae. As AYA-serving health professionals grapple with caring for youth
during this pandemic, we recommend actionable, trauma -sensitive practices to address AYAs'
unique needs and challenges.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Violence
Although little empirical evidence exists, there is anecdotal evidence COVID-19 has brought an
increase in violence. The lay press has reported an escalation of adult IPV [2 and ARA helplines
have seen high call volumes. Detroit and Philadelphia have reported increased community
violence [0 and shootings [7], respectively. Experiencing multiple forms of violence
concurrently can compound risks [8]. For example, AYAs living in homes with IPV that is
escalating during necessary shelter -in place orders may leave their homes to keep themselves
safe, potentially leading to more dangerous situations (e.g., residing with an abusive partner),
housing insecurity, and increased risk of exposure to COVID-19. The sudden and rapid
technological transformation of all facets of adolescents' lives also increases vulnerability to
cyber-based violence. Increased reliance on technology creates opportunities for cyber abuse,
where abusive partners control, stalk, or discredit their partners through texts, social media, or
mobile applications L9]. For those who may be at risk for perpetrating interpersonal harm,
including gang and clique -related violence, social media becomes a place to share frustrations
and threats about future acts of violence --called "Internet banging" LL0]. While more research is
needed to understand these trends, the pandemic has amplified unique vulnerabilities faced by
AYAs in violent environments and relationships.
The Pandemic Youth Transformation Initiative is designed to:
• Produce an enlightened human being that understands the positive power within the
undiscovered and underdeveloped self
• Create a high level of discipline, cleanliness, and respect for law and order
• Expose participants to the values and practices inherent in the concept of community
development
• Embark students upon a course of study that leads to self discovery, career awareness,
and standards of academic excellence
• Instill and restore a core understanding and respect for family values
• Increase ones' respect for their life and the life of others
• Develop in young people a healthy respect and appreciation for nature
• Increase the self esteem and confidence in ones' abilities
• Make participants fully aware of consequences and ramifications associated with deviant
behavior
• Introduce community service as a core value and expectation among all citizens
• Prepare participants to function productively in a multi- cultural world
• Expose students to the concepts of life planning and lifelong learning
• Create modules of learning to deal with anger management and self control
• Grasp and utilize the concepts associated with team building activities
• Create a therapeutic environment where disclosure, expression, and closure can take
place on sensitive community and personal issues
• Introduce participants to the concept of developing and mastering physical, mental,
social, intellectual, spiritual, emotional, and economic components of living
• Teach participants how to overcome the snares and traps associated with peer pressure
and exposure to the dangers of mass media
• To foster a healthy spirit of competition necessary to meet and overcome obstacles and
barriers to positive living
• Make health and fitness core values for the duration of life
• Prepare youth for their reintegration into society while keeping and using these growth
modules as standards at home and abroad
Expected Outcomes: Circular patterns of poverty, crime, violence, and educational
failures in urban communities across America and designated zones in Miami Dade that
have been plagued by crime, poverty and poor education have seen in most cases; no
long term investment in sustainable proven initiatives that cover all areas of community
development. Too many quick fix and clean up or move out campaigns are launched
where the appearance of improvement last for a little while and the status quo returns.
The Anatomy of Violence A proper view of the anatomy of violence forces us to look at
societal norms and violent tendencies that have become a part of the social fabric of
American culture and address it from its' root rather than waving punitive measures
(coping mechanisms) as an end all be all approach. Until initiatives attack the mindset
that produces violence; thoughts of worthlessness/decreased human value, and non
productive living... violence will remain as a pervasive response to oppression; which at
its' root stems from the lack of governmental and educational objectives that lead
toward personal and social introspection and empowerment, which in turn leads to the
discovery of one's aim and purpose for self and community versus destruction as a way
of life.
American Rescue Plan Act: Proposed COB Program Budget
Annual Salary
6 Month Cost 18 Month Cost
Direct Cost
Executive Director
$
60,000.00
$
30,000.00
$
90,000.00
Program Director
$
35,000.00
$
17,500.00
$
52,500.00
Comptroller
$
60,000.00
$
30,000.00
$
90,000.00
Development Coordinator
$
48,000.00
$
24,000.00
$
72,000.00
Program Coordinator
$
40,000.00
$
20,000.00
$
60,000.00
Wellness Coach
$
40,000.00
$
20,000.00
$
60,000.00
Case Manager (PT)
$
24,000.00
$
12,000.00
$
36,000.00
Case Manager (PT)
$
24,000.00
$
12,000.00
$
36,000.00
Facilitator
$
30,000.00
$
15,000.00
$
45,000.00
Y Case Manager
$
35,000.00
$
17,500.00
$
52,500.00
Y Case Manager
$
35,000.00
$
17,500.00
$
52,500.00
$
431,000.00
$
215,500.00
5
646,500.00
Fringe Benefits
$
FICA/ MICA
7.65%
$
32,971.50
$
16,485.75
$
49,457.25
REA
2.70%
$
2,079.00
$
1,039.50
$
3,118.50
Workers Comp
1.62%
$
7,516.34
$
3,758.17
$
11,274.51
Supplemental insurance
$75
$
7,200.00
$
3,600.00
$
10,800.00
Health Stipends
$420.84
$
40,400.64
$
20,200.32
$
60,600.96
$
90,167.48
$
45,083.74
5
135,251.22
Total Payroll Cost
$
521,167.48
$
260,583.74
$
781,751.22
Operational Cost
$
Office CAM
$
12,000.00
$
6,000.00
$
18,000.00
Insurance
$
7,000.00
$
3,500.00
$
10,500.00
Office Supplies
$
3,000.00
$
1,500.00
$
4,500.00
Accounting Serices
$
3,000.00
$
1,500.00
$
4,500.00
Subcontractor
$
82,000.00
$
41,000.00
$
123,000.00
Participant Stipends
$
30,000.00
$
15,000.00
$
45,000.00
Phone & Internet
$
2,000.00
$
1,000.00
$
3,000.00
Advertising
$
2,499.19
$
1,249.60
$
3,748.79
Audit
$
4,000.00
$
2,000.00
$
6,000.00
Total Indirect Cost
$
145,499.19
$
72,749.60
$
218,248.79
Total Budget
$
666,666.67
$
333,333.33 $
1,000,000.00
WE ARE HOPING TO PARTNER WITH SOME OF THESE AGENCIES
1. Hattie Willis
2. Ruben Roberts
3. Samantha Quarterman
4. Tisa McGhee
5. Thema Campbell
6. Sonia Jacobson
7. Kalenthia Nunnally
8. Lavern Spicer
9. Christina Perez
10. Beatrice Louissaint
11. Anthony Duran
12. Eric Knowles
13. Kenneth Kilpatrick
Communities United
786-306-6515
RER Consulting Enterprise
305-343-7971
Multi -Ethnic Youth Group Association Inc.
786-312-7102
Mc 3 Consulting Inc
305-972-3777
Girl Power
786-543-0116
Dress for Success
305-573-5668
Blessing Hands Outreach
786-202-6598
Curley's House of Style Inc.
786-262-2851
Association Development of the Exceptional Inc.
305-573-3737
Florida State Minority Supplier Development Council
305-762-6151
SHEAR Inc.
786-718-0316
Miami Dade Chamber of Commerce
305-751-8648
Alternative Programs Inc.
786-443-9420