Raise the Bar has raised more than $145,000 to benefit organizations that provide legal assistance to victims of domestic violence and human trafficking. 100% of the proceeds of this year’s event will be given to these programs via Women’s Fund’s grants to be awarded in February, 2013.

For information about sponsorship and details about the event, contact Development Officer Karen Blair, karen@womensfundmiami.org. To purchase tickets go to our website womensfundmiami.org or call 305-441-0506.

We take this opportunity to thank The Law Offices of Matthew w. Dietz, P. I., for providing us with office space for the past two years at no charge. Your generosity is most appreciated.

A compelling piece in the Atlantic zeroes in on one of the biggest reasons for those declines: America’s vanishing public school spending.

Read the article here.

Produced for WLRN by Mia Laurenzo, the compelling program had its premiere screening at O Cinema in Miami’s Wynwood Arts District on Tuesday, April 17. Women’s Fund of Miami-Dade was a proud co-presenter of this important work.

The program will have its first airing on WLRN on Wednesday, April 25, 2012. Check www.wlrn.org for a complete schedule and more information.

TOGETHER WE CAN SEND A MESSAGE OF STRENGTH.

For more information visit the Calling All Women website www,callingallwomen2012.com or call Karen Blaire at Women’s Fund of Miami-Dade at 305-441-0506 or email.

$10.00 donation to Ms. Foundation for Women. Charges will appear on your wireless bill, or be deducted from your prepaid balance. All purchases must be authorized by account holder. Must be 18 years of age or have parental permission to participate. Message and Data Rates May Apply. Text STOP to 50555 to STOP. Text HELP to 50555 for HELP. Full Terms: www.mGive.org/T. Privacy Policy

To read more detail about these bills and to register for the Florida Senate and House “Track This Bill” bill service click here for the Florida Senate and click here for the Florida House.

The Children’s Trust and Women’s Fund of Miami-Dade today launched a powerful broadcast campaign to combat the trafficking and prostitution of children at a news conference at Miami-Dade Police headquarters.

The campaign features six of the region’s most influential leaders, lawmakers and law enforcement officials:  U.S. Congresswomen Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Debbie Wasserman Shultz and Frederica Wilson, as well as State Attorney Katherine Fernandez-Rundle, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Sally Heyman, and Miami-Dade Police Director, James Loftus.In addition these leaders plus Miami-Dade County School Board Member Dr. Martin Karp and Miami Beach Mayor Matti Herrera Bower are featured in a series of posters with the same powerful message.

Called, “Dear John”, this television and radio campaign is directed squarely at the men who are paying to have sex with children. The campaign also asks the public to take action now in support of bills pending in the current legislative session in Tallahassee that are designed to reduce sex trafficking in our state, as well as help the under-age victims when rescued.

“According to the FBI, Miami has one of the highest incident rates of child prostitution in the country and it must be stopped,” stated Modesto Abety-Gutierrez, Executive Director of The Children’s Trust. “As an organization devoted to the health and well-being of all our children, The Children’s Trust is committed to supporting this campaign.”

Advocacy groups estimate 300,000 children around the nation are at risk of being sold for sex and the average age at which girls first become victims of commercial sexual exploitation is between 12 and 14.

“Minor girls who are trafficked and forced into prostitution have been victimized,” said Debi Harris, CEO of Women’s Fund of Miami-Dade. “These television and radio spots focus on the real criminals, the ‘Johns’, and rightly expose the anger and outrage we as citizens feel against this atrocity.

More information about the pending House and Senate bills are available at http://www.womensfundmiami.org/take-action/

The Children’s Trust is a dedicated source of revenue established by voter referendum to improve the lives of children and families in Miami-Dade County.

Women’s Fund of Miami-Dade empowers women and girls through advocacy and funding for innovative initiatives that build equality, foster social change, and create community partnerships.