Our Story
Since 2012, OCYC has brought the community together to create lasting opportunities for children, youth, and families.
In 2012, the Overtown Children and Youth Coalition (OCYC) was formed by the anchoring community-based nonprofit organizations in the Overtown Community: Urgent, Inc., Overtown Youth Center, Touching Miami with Love, Lotus House, and Dress for Success with the support of the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency and City of Miami District 5 City Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones.
Within months, additional stakeholders joined and worked together under the umbrella of Overtown Children and Youth Coalition. The groundbreaking step towards addressing the needs of Overtown’s children and families with a collective impact and systems-level approach instead of a service-based structure with needs addressed in siloes was well-received by the community.
Our Partners
OCYC continues to serve as the backbone organization to support anchoring community-based organizations to empower Overtown as a community where all children and youth reach their full potential.
Mission
Through a collective impact model Overtown Children and Youth Coalition (OCYC) serves as the backbone to support Overtown’s anchoring organizations to empower all the community’s children and youth to reach their full potential.
Vision
Overtown, a community where all children and youth reach their full potential.
Values
Accountability, Collaboration, Community, Continuous Communication, Empowerment, Leadership, Integrity.
Purpose
Overtown Children and Youth Coalition (OCYC) ensures resources remain within the Overtown community to allow the children and youth to reach their full potential.
Anchoring Nonprofit Organizations
Our North Star Statement
By 2035, Overtown will be a vibrant, sustainable, and connected community where families proudly stay and thrive for generations. A place where all children, youth, adults, and families are on a cradle-to-career pathway that leads to social and economic mobility, marked by educational success, career readiness, lifelong health and well-being.
Florida Children’s Initiative
OCYC is a designated Florida Children’s Initiative (Florida Statute §409.147), alongside New Town Success Zone (Jacksonville), Parramore Kidz Zone (Orlando), Sulphur Springs Neighborhood of Promise (Tampa), and Miami Children’s Initiative (Miami).
Collective Impact Role
OCYC serves as the backbone convener for Overtown using a collective impact approach, highlighting the following five principles:
- Common Agenda
- Mutually Reinforcing Activities
- Continuous Communication
- Shared Measurement
- Backbone Support Organization
See the Change. Share the Vision.
Stay informed about the progress shaping Overtown’s future. Download our latest reports, master plans, and data dashboards to see how collaboration is creating real change for children and families.