Local non-profit the Chapman Partnership and Miami-Dade County Public Schools are launching an apprenticeship program to provide hands-on medical training for the homeless.
On April 28, the Chapman Partnership and schools Superintendent Dr. Jose L. Dotres commemorated National Apprenticeship Day with the launch of the Medical Assistant and Pharmacy Technician program, celebrating new career opportunities that offer Chapman residents, who are among the homeless, a pathway to financial independence through earning a living wage. The program will equip participants with valuable skills and certifications, opening doors to stable, long-term careers.
Chapman Partnership CEO Scott Hansel explained that the initiative emerged from their commitment to workforce development, aiming to equip residents with essential skills for Miami’s growing healthcare sector.
“By collaborating with local industry partners and local educational institutions, we recognized the opportunity to provide hands-on training that equips residents with essential skills for high-demand healthcare roles,” Mr. Hansel said.
Set to begin in late June, the apprenticeship program will span about one year,giving participants hands-on experience alongside seasoned healthcare professionals. The first cohort, expected to include 45 participants, will focus on medical assistant and pharmacy technician roles, laying the groundwork for future groups. Feedback from this initial cohort will help refine the program for subsequent groups, which will focus on nursing and automotive technician roles.
Miami-Dade County Public Schools will provide the educational backbone of the program, offering instructors and resources to ensure that training meets industry standards.
Meanwhile, Chapman Partnership will handle recruitment, coordination with healthcare partners, and ongoing support throughout the program.
Local healthcare providers, including Evolution MD, Kidney & Hypertension Specialists of Miami, and Med One, have partnered to offer mentorship and real-world training.
The initiative is designed not just as a training program but as a bridge to full-time employment.
“We aim to equip apprentices with the skills and certifications necessary to secure full-time jobs in the healthcare field,” Mr. Hansel said.
In addition to technical training, Chapman Partnership will offer career counseling and job placement services to help participants succeed long after completing the program.
Books and Books Literary Foundation recently partnered with Miami-Dade’s largest emergency shelter, Chapman Partnership, for a first of its kind event at CP North Campus in Miami.
The first Big Book Fair event launched this collaboration aimed to promote literacy and enrichment for families and individuals overcoming homelessness. The foundation distributed $10,000 worth of books to attendees and featured a presentation and book singing by Zoo Miami Communications Director Ron Magill, author of The Pride of a Lion (coauthored by Greg Cote.)
The Books and Books Literary Foundation was established by Mitch Kaplan, owner of Books and Books, to cultivate a love of books and a community of free expression in Miami. Learn more at booksandbooks.com/foundation.
Chapman Partnership was founded in 1995 and operates the largest emergency homeless assistance centers with 800 beds with locations in Miami and Homestead. For thirty years the nonprofit has provided a comprehensive and innovative “village” of support for unhoused men, women, and children. The support includes housing, meals, health and psychiatric care, wellness programs, employment training and placement, and assistance with securing permanent homes.
Aided by generous donors and sponsors, we uplift the unhoused, providing the tools and hope necessary to build a positive, independent future. An award-winning organization, Chapman Partnership is designated as a top ranked four-star charity from nationally recognized nonprofit evaluator Charity Navigator. Chapman Partnership is the private sector partner of the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust.
Recently Books and Books Literary Foundation partnered with Miami-Dade's largest emergency shelter Chapman Partnership for a first of its kind event at CP North Campus in Miami. The first Big Book Fair event launched this collaboration aimed to promote literacy and enrichment for families and individuals overcoming homelessness. The foundation distributed $10,000 worth of books to attendees and featured a presentation and book singing by Zoo Miami Communications Director Ron Magill, author of The Pride of a Lion (coauthored by Greg Cote.) The Books and Books Literary Foundation was established by Mitch Kaplan, owner of Books and Books, to cultivate a love of books and a community of free expression in Miami. Learn more at booksandbooks.com/foundation.
Recently Books and Books Literary Foundation partnered with Miami-Dade’s largest emergency shelter Chapman Partnership for a first of its kind event at CP North Campus in Miami. The first Big Book Fair event launched this collaboration aimed to promote literacy and enrichment for families and individuals overcoming homelessness. The foundation distributed $10,000 worth of books to attendees and featured a presentation and book singing by Zoo Miami Communications Director Ron Magill, author of The Pride of a Lion (coauthored by Greg Cote.) The Books and Books Literary Foundation was established by Mitch Kaplan, owner of Books and Books, to cultivate a love of books and a community of free expression in Miami. Learn more at booksandbooks.com/foundation.
Six-time Emmy Award-winning journalist Laurie Jennings will be honored with the Trish Bell Lifetime Achievement Award at Chapman Partnership’s 2025 Take a Walk in Her Shoes Luncheon.
The highly anticipated annual event brings together over 400 guests to honor exceptional women who have made a lasting impact on South Florida. The event raises critical funds to support Chapman Partnership’s programs, which provide safe shelter, essential resources, and long-term stability for women and children experiencing homelessness in Miami-Dade County.
Since 2016, The Trish Bell Lifetime Achievement Award has recognized individuals in South Florida who inspire and motivate the people around them to achieve a greater vision of hope and opportunity for those most in need. Just as Trish Bell leads with determination, courage, introspection and faith, Laurie Jennings is passionately committed to representing the best of South Florida, helping to lift others professionally, and leading the way in improving the quality of life and well-being of others.
“We are so fortunate to have Chapman Partnership in our community,” said Jennings. “It’s a safe haven like nowhere else I’ve ever witnessed in other cities. Chapman provides a path forward for families in dire need, and they do it with compassion and dignity. What an honor to be recognized by such an impactful organization and in the name of Trish Bell who actively changes lives every day.”
Jennings is a distinguished journalist and philanthropist whose career spans three decades, earning her six Emmy Awards and a place in the prestigious NATAS Silver Circle. Her journey has taken her from Cleveland and Boston to MSNBC in New York, and ultimately, to Miami, where she became one of South Florida’s most trusted news anchors. Through Laurie Jennings LIVE, her own media company, she is a sought-after host, moderator, and commercial spokesperson. Corporations worldwide look to Laurie for keynote speaking and executive coaching.
Jennings has also dedicated herself to philanthropy, supporting organizations including Chapman Partnership, Voices for Children, United Way, Baptist Hospital, The American Red Cross, Holtz Children’s Hospital, and Sylvester Cancer Center. She and her husband are the proud parents of 19-year-old identical twin boys, both freshmen at Laurie’s alma mater, Cornell University.
MIAMI, Feb. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Chapman Partnership is proud to announce that 6-time Emmy Award-winning journalist Laurie Jennings will be honored with the Trish Bell Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2025 Take a Walk in Her Shoes Luncheon on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at Jungle Island in Miami.
The highly anticipated annual event brings together over 400 guests to honor exceptional women who have made a lasting impact on South Florida. The event raises critical funds to support Chapman Partnership's programs, which provide safe shelter, essential resources, and long-term stability for women and children experiencing homelessness in Miami-Dade County.
Since 2016, The Trish Bell Lifetime Achievement Award has recognized individuals in South Florida who inspire and motivate the people around them to achieve a greater vision of hope and opportunity for those most in need. Just as Trish Bell leads with determination, courage, introspection and faith, Laurie Jennings is passionately committed to representing the best of South Florida, helping to lift others professionally, and leading the way in improving the quality of life and well-being of others.
"We are so fortunate to have Chapman Partnership in our community. It's a safe haven like nowhere else I've ever witnessed in other cities. Chapman provides a path forward for families in dire need, and they do it with compassion and dignity. What an honor to be recognized by such an impactful organization and in the name of Trish Bell who actively changes lives every day," says Jennings. "I will always use my voice and deep connections in South Florida to tell the stories of our community, and I'm honored to join the select few women who have received this award and never stop making a difference."
Laurie Jennings is a distinguished journalist and philanthropist whose career spans three decades, earning her six Emmy Awards and a place in the prestigious NATAS Silver Circle. Her journey has taken her from Cleveland and Boston to MSNBC in New York, and ultimately, to Miami, where she became one of South Florida's most trusted news anchors. After 15 years leading WPLG Local 10's evening newscasts, Laurie stepped away from the anchor desk to focus on her family and launch Laurie Jennings LIVE, her own media company. Today, she is a sought-after host, moderator, and commercial spokesperson. Corporations worldwide look to Laurie for keynote speaking and executive coaching.
In addition to her stellar journalism career, Laurie has dedicated herself to philanthropy, supporting organizations including Chapman Partnership, Voices for Children, United Way, Baptist Hospital, The American Red Cross, Holtz Children's Hospital, and Sylvester Cancer Center. She and her husband are the proud parents of 19-year-old identical twin boys, both freshmen at Laurie's alma mater, Cornell University.
"Laurie Jennings has dedicated her career to amplifying the voices of others, shining a light on important issues, and using her platform to uplift those in need," said Trish Bell, namesake of the award. "Her commitment to this community and her ability to inspire through storytelling and action make her the perfect honoree for this year's award."
The Take a Walk in Her Shoes Fashion Luncheon will take place on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 11:30 AM at Jungle Island. With over 50% of Chapman Partnership's residents being families with children, this event directly funds life-changing programs that provide safe housing, education, and essential resources, helping families rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.
Event and table sponsorships are available. For more information and sponsorship opportunities, please contact 305-329-3092 or visit https://give.chapmanpartnership.org/event/2025-take-a-walk-in-her-shoes/e660601.
On Saturday, Jan. 11, Sergei “Sir. J” Grant and his team of barbers, who are all students at his barbering academy, gave free haircuts to around two dozen people just outside of the Pérez Art Museum Miami.
Inside the museum stood an exhibit featuring a portrait of Grant by artist Kate Capshaw. The portrait, a 64” by 54” oil painting on linen, is the focal point of the installation “Exclusive Tonsorial Services,” named after the barber shop Grant founded in El Portal. It will be on display through Jan. 19.
Grant, who was born in North Miami Beach and graduated from Carol City Senior High School in Miami Gardens, is now an entrepreneur, professional barber and a teacher. Despite his accomplishments, however, his life has not been without hardship. Grant experienced homelessness in Miami for one year, during which he’d brush his teeth at a local Taco Bell.
“My experience being homeless really pushed me to grow and to do better. Being able to give back to others is my homage to homeless people to let them know that they can grow from their experience,” said Grant, now 41 years old.
Grant, a third-generation Miamian, often takes his barber shop on the road, traveling throughout south Florida to bring his services directly to the community and serve a diverse clientele. He specializes in fades, hot towel shaves, shape ups, scissor cuts, comb overs, undercuts and more.
Grant and his team work with several organizations throughout Miami-Dade County to offer haircuts to people who cannot afford them. Some of those include Camillus House, The Miami Rescue Mission, Chapman Partnership and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami.
Franklin Sirmans, the director of the Pérez Art Museum Miami, is one of Grant’s clients and the curator of the exhibit featuring Grant as its muse. He has served as the museum’s director since the fall of 2015.
Sirmans connected Grant with Capshaw, the artist behind the installation paying tribute to Grant for mentoring and educating aspiring barbers.
This is Capshaw’s first institutional solo exhibition. She said she chose Grant as the focus of her portrait in an effort to capture his spirit of joy and generosity.
“This piece holds special resonance for me, as Sergei Grant is a barber – a profession I’ve always admired,” Capshaw said. “My mother was a beautician, and I have fond memories of her shop in Ferguson, Missouri,” where Capshaw was raised.
Capshaw is a self-taught painter who began her art studies in drawing, painting and portraiture in 2009. For her newest installation at the Pérez Art Museum Miami, Capshaw worked with Grant to create an exhibit that focuses on challenges and triumph.
In 2016, Capshaw released a series of portraits of youth experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles, Chicago, Fargo, Minneapolis, San Francisco, St. Louis and New York. The series, titled “Unaccompanied,” debuted at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. in 2019.
For her latest exhibition, Capshaw said she wanted to not only continue to raise awareness for homeless youth, but to create a portrait honoring a local Miami advocate as well. In came Grant.
In addition to making his services accessible to all, Grant also runs a school for aspiring barbers. There are currently approximately 20 students enrolled in his barbering academy.
“I like the energy he brings,” said 16-year-old Luis Diaz. “He’s very genuine. We are giving back to the community and we are making people feel good. At the end of the day, we are all elevating and growing because I’m getting better while making someone happy.”
Diaz was one of about seven students on site giving free haircuts during Saturday’s event. He has been a student of Grant’s for six months.
“I like that this exhibit includes an interactive experience of being able to get a haircut. We know historically what a place of engagement a barbershop may serve as in a community, and this exhibit takes that message and continues to explore it,” said Jeffrey Wilkinson, one of the attendees at the exhibit on Saturday. Wilkinson received a free haircut from Grant’s team.
The Pérez Art Museum Miami is a modern and contemporary art museum that offers free admission on the second Saturday of each month. The museum also offers a Black Art Tour, as well as public and private tours for the community to enjoy.
Museum visitors will also have one more opportunity to receive free haircuts from Grant and his team on Thursday, Jan. 16, before the exhibit concludes next week.
Meanwhile, Capshaw continues her mission to give voice to the voiceless. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 4.2 million youth and young adults experience homelessness in the United States, 700,000 of which are unaccompanied minors.
Family conflict is cited as the number one reason for homelessness among youth, with Black kids experiencing the highest rates of running away from home.
Students, parents, and staff at Palmer Trinity came together for their Annual Holiday Toy Drive, collecting hundreds of toys for children in need throughout South Florida. The donated toys were distributed during a holiday party at Chapman Partnership earlier this month, where children received gifts and enjoyed a festive celebration. Additional toys filled an entire van and were donated to Branches and Lotus House, extending the spirit of giving to even more children in the community.
MIAMI (WSVN) - As Miami gets ready to reveal Dwyane Wade’s statue outside the Kaseya Center, his mother thanked the city for their love for her son.
Dwyane Wade and Bam Adebayo gathered at Chapman Partnership in Miami for Hoops For Kids on Thursday evening.
The event marks one of many events leading up to the big day on Sunday, when the Miami Heat reveal Dwyane’s statue.
Children couldn’t be happier to play basketball with a Miami Heat legend and one of the team’s current stars for a good cause.
7’s Josh Moser spoke to Dwyane Wade’s mother — Jolinda Wade, also known as “Momma Wade” — ahead of her son’s big day.
“I was telling [Dwyane] today that the Hall of Fame, you know, you expect that. The statue, it hit me once I got off the plane. This is a bonus, this is a plus to the journey and path in which he took to get to the place he’s at,” she said.
Jolinda said it is special to see the love her son still receives in Miami, even after retiring back in 2019.
Being a mom to a Hall of Famer, Jolinda said she is proud to be a part of her son’s journey to NBA greatness.
“It’s going to be the unveiling for me, you know, the emotions are gonna come all over the place,” she said, “and just to see us there as a family, looking up at this moment. I’m talking about Little Dwyane, you know, somebody that, you know he going somewhere in life, but you never expect that this was going to be his journey. And I am glad and proud as a mom that I got a chance to take this journey with him.”
The statue unveiling takes place on Sunday. Doors open at 4 p.m. It’s a free event, but you do need tickets to attend.
MIAMI – Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade and All-Star Bam Adebayo are teaming up once again, but this time it’s not on the court.
The duo hosted a special event at the Chapman Partnership on Thursday, unveiling a newly designed basketball court dedicated to helping the community.
Wade, who originally donated the court years ago, partnered with Adebayo and their respective foundations — Wade’s World Foundation and Adebayo’s BBB Foundation — to run a contest for a fresh court design.
On Thursday, the two Heat former and current stars officially unveiled the newly designed court, with many VIPs, Heat players, and local politicians in attendance.
“This is a passing of the torch,” said one attendee, noting Wade’s legacy of giving back to the Miami community and how Adebayo, the current face of the Heat, is continuing that tradition. Wade’s son, Zaire, was also present, adding a family touch to the ceremony.
The event is part of a weekend filled with celebrations for Wade.
On Sunday, the Kaseya Center will host the unveiling of a statue in his honor, and Monday night will be “Dwyane Wade Night” at the Miami Heat game against the Detroit Pistons.
But Thursday’s focus is on community impact, with Wade and Adebayo demonstrating their commitment to making a difference.
Earlier in the day, they helped feed the homeless, a key initiative of the Chapman Partnership, which provides services for those in need.
A sign was also unveiled naming a portion of Northeast Seventh Street, near the arena, “Dwyane Wade Boulevard.”
*Impact numbers are updated at the beginning of each fiscal year and will be updated annually.
As the private sector partner of the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust, Chapman Partnership is another step in the continuum of care. Any person or family who is homeless, about to be homeless, or assisting someone facing homelessness, and requiring emergency assistance must first contact the Homeless Helpline administered by the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust. Homeless Helpline Toll Free Number: 1-877-994-HELP (4357).
