$1.65 million investment supports five key nonprofits aimed at addressing health, food security, workforce development, and more
Leading Blue Cross and Blue Shield health insurance provider, Florida Blue, has unveiled its 5th Growing Resilient Community initiative in Florida, focusing on the 33142 ZIP code in Miami. This new chapter in the company’s multi-year effort to combat generational poverty will provide significant programmatic and financial support to 5 local nonprofit organizations in the Allapattah and Brownsville neighborhoods. With an investment of more than $1.65 million, Florida Blue is partnering with community leaders to address some of the most pressing social determinants of poverty.
Florida Blue’s commitment to South Florida
Florida Blue has been strategically recognizing ZIP codes that experience generational poverty of highest levels in Florida, aiming to drive meaningful change by partnering with local communities. This marks the first ever official community unveiling in Miami-Dade County and the second in South Florida. In recent months, Florida Blue has engaged with a range of local partners, invested funds, and launched a comprehensive strategy to enhance the well-being of residents in the 33142 ZIP code.
The 33142 ZIP code includes Allapattah and Brownsville and has over 59,000 residents. The median household income is $35,589, and approximately one-third of adults in the area have not graduated from high school. According to the Economic Innovation Group, the area has a Distressed Community Index (DCI) score of 93.8, placing it among the most distressed areas in the country. Through these investments, Florida Blue is working to address the root causes of generational poverty and improve the quality of life for residents.
Partnerships aimed at improving health and economic well-being
Florida Blue’s $1.65 million investment is being directed to five key programs that will serve as pillars for improving health and economic outcomes in the 33142 ZIP code. These programs are designed to tackle various facets of poverty, including nutrition, job readiness, health education, and community support.
1. Allapattah Collaborative CDC – Fresh Food Business Incubator
One of the focal points of this initiative is the Allapattah Collaborative CDC, which plans to buy a mixed-use facility in the area. The new facility will help anchor businesses, preventing displacement, and creating opportunities for entrepreneurs in the neighborhood. The Fresh Food Business Incubator program will be launched to increase support for local entrepreneurs, access to food, and promote health equity in the area. This program will provide a wealth-building opportunity through entrepreneurship, helping to elevate the Little Santo Domingo commercial corridor.
2. Common Threads – Food and Nutrition Security
Common Threads, a national nonprofit organization, will work alongside the Village of Allapattah YMCA to improve food access and provide nutrition education for local residents. Their program will teach cooking skills, nutrition education, and promote affordable, healthy food. Serving 2,760 vulnerable adults and youth, Common Threads aims to ensure that local families have access to healthy food grown close to their neighborhoods. The program will emphasize the importance of healthy eating and teach families how to cook with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
3. Florida International University – Neighborhood Health Education Learning Program (HELP)
Florida International University’s NeighborhoodHELP program will expand healthcare support in the 33142 ZIP code by identifying unmet needs and health disparities through surveys and research. The program will work in partnership with students from various disciplines at FIU to develop data-driven interventions that will improve health outcomes in underserved communities. This partnership promises to create a platform for health equity by expanding access to critical health services in the area.
4. Goodwill Industries of South Florida – Adult Day Center
Goodwill Industries of South Florida will launch a new Adult Day Center in the 33142 ZIP code, offering training and workforce development opportunities for people facing challenges in finding employment. This center will provide participants with the chance to develop skills, receive upskilling opportunities, and pursue certifications for industry-recognized, high-demand occupations. The goal is to promote independent living and help participants secure stable, meaningful employment in a variety of fields.
5. YMCA of South Florida – La Bodega (Food Pantry)
La Bodega is a new food pantry initiative curated to combat health disparities and food insecurity in the 33142 area. Through La Bodega, the YMCA will distribute 400,000 pounds of food yearly, benefiting 30,000 residents. This pantry will serve as an essential resource for families struggling to make ends meet, offering nutritious food and educational resources. The program will also provide health services to improve overall well-being in the community.
The announcement was made in Allapattah, where Florida Blue hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the YMCA for the La Bodega food pantry. Over 200 families attended the event to receive food assistance, and they enjoyed Goodwill Industries band’s festive music performance. Guests also participated in a cooking demonstration by Common Threads, learning how to make mango salsa with locally sourced ingredients.
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