Miami Congressional Action Team members meet with U.S. Congressman Carlos Curbelo

Our Stories Propel Our Movement

Miami Congressional Action Team members meet with U.S. Congressman Carlos Curbelo

October marked the month of the classic American tradition of Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF—the “kids helping kids” campaign. In Miami this was no different. However, for many of the Congressional Action Team members, Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF was not something they were able to participate in during their childhood in their respective countries.

The Miami Congressional Action Team is comprised of many individuals who have seen first-hand the realities many children face in places around the world.  These memories propelled them to take a constructive approach to social change on behalf of children through advocacy and civic engagement.

Shared narratives inspired a productive dialogue regarding the continued support of the Reach Every Mother and Child Act and UNICEF appropriations during our meeting with Representative Carlos Curbelo.

For many years Representative Curbelo was an active member of the Miami Dade School Board and knows first hand what it means to hold childhood and youth development at the forefront of the region’s priorities. During the meeting Curbelo and our team happily expressed the reality of the diverse community in Miami and suggested how that gives us the unique opportunity to be leaders in our local and global community.

Students from Florida International University and Cypress Bay High School are proud participants and leaders in the Miami Congressional Action Team for UNICEF USA. These students inspired a renewed sense of passion and inspiration for Representative Curbelo and solidified a promise for continued support for UNICEF.

“When we share our stories, what it does is, it opens up our hearts for other people to share their stories. And it gives us the sense that we are not alone on this journey.”

Laylah Copertino, ©U.S. Fund for UNICEF

HOW TO HELP

There are many ways to make a difference

War, famine, poverty, natural disasters — threats to the world's children keep coming. But UNICEF won't stop working to keep children healthy and safe.

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories — more places than any other children's organization. UNICEF has the world's largest humanitarian warehouse and, when disaster strikes, can get supplies almost anywhere within 72 hours. Constantly innovating, always advocating for a better world for children, UNICEF works to ensure that every child can grow up healthy, educated, protected and respected.

Would you like to help give all children the opportunity to reach their full potential? There are many ways to get involved.

Donate to UNICEF USA to help kids survive and thrive
Invest in children and their futures
A group of smiling UNICEF club members, wearing UNICEF USA t-shirts, stand on a city street and reach their arms out to signify welcoming others.
Rally friends and family to help kids
UNICEF delivers supplies wherever kids need them most
Help UNICEF get lifesaving aid to children in crisis