Today we’d like to introduce you to Yvonne Sawyer
Hi Yvonne, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I moved to Miami from New York City 26 years ago when I married Rev. Rick Sawyer. He lived in Miami as a single dad with his five children, who ranged in age from 2-17. In my years in NYC, I founded a non-profit called Hope for New York — so Rick and I began to think about how we could merge not only our family life but how our talents and experience could benefit Miami. My skill set included non-profit start-ups, volunteer recruitment, fund-raising, and some experience managing social service programs. Rick knew Miami, had a lot of contacts, and spoke Spanish. While the initial stage was for me to get used to the 3Ms (Marriage, Motherhood, and Miami) – within a few months, we worked on the legal incorporation of the non-profit, which was initially known as “Family and Children Faith Coalition.” (FCFC). Our initial effort was to offer workshops and gatherings for faith-based leaders who wanted to learn how to serve the community better or more efficiently. Out of those relationships, when the newly-formed Children’s Trust began to collect tax-payer funds for social service programs that would benefit children & youth — we put together a collaboration of eight churches that wanted to offer summer camp programs in their neighborhood. After that initial grant was awarded, FCFC continued to build more relationships and to grow the number of programs offered to the community. In the initial year, our partnership served 800 children- over the 25 years of the organization’s existence, the number of programs is now 10, and the number of children, youth, and families served has exceeded 50,000.
In 2012, FCFC re-branded as Hope for Miami — the name under which we are now known. Our programs include afterschool and summer camp, specialized services for teens with a disability, youth mental health training, parent workshops, an anti-drug coalition, HIV prevention education, two programs that teach healthy relationship skills, a program for dads, a robust volunteer engagement effort and organizing community events (toy drives, food distributions, back-pack and school supply distributions.) We also have a strong partnership with Miami-Dade County Public Schools, working directly with families whose child was chronically absent or truant.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Fund-raising and grant writing have their challenges — and while some of our grant-funded programs have a long term (5 years) — economic conditions change, hurricanes happen, a pandemic occurs — all of which impact our funding, ability to hire/retain staff and manage well. There is seldom a problem finding individuals who need our services! And even funding agencies have their quirks — a recent proposal written to expand services received a score of 99.67 out of 100 — and we still did not receive an award.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My personal philosophy is to share whatever knowledge and experience I have with others. I am most proud that many other non-profit leaders (especially those new to the field) come to me for advice, counsel, and support on their journey to becoming successful non-profit agencies. No funder pays for that! It is my calling to ensure that people who need help receive it, as no one agency can do it all.
Professionally, we believe in collaboration and partnerships. We can’t do everything our community needs and by working together we can make a difference. Each one of us is a “thread” in the beautiful tapestry of support for our neighbors.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
I grew up in an artistic and “crafty” family. We did many things together and learned skills that have become important to us in adulthood. My mom baked her bread, my dad grew a garden, and we had family nights where we braided woolen rugs for our floors. Mom taught us sewing, painting, and how to make jam, and Dad taught us furniture refinishing and how to grow beautiful flowers.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hopeformiami.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeformiami/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HopeforMiami
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@hopeformiamiofficial
