MCM Year in Review

Dear friends,

A MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

One of my favorite quotes from Fred Rogers is to “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping”. Thankfully for us as an institution, we never have to look very far. We made it through our most challenging period with YOUR help and because of YOUR passion for children's education, health, and wellbeing. We hosted the last gala on February 29, 2020, raising over $1 million which sustained us through the 408-day closure due to the COVID 19 pandemic.

Your continued support and belief in us not only kept our organization running, but it gave us the ability to turn outward, so we could serve as “helpers” for families in need. At the start of the 20-21 Fiscal Year, our doors remained closed, but our commitment to the community was unwavering. Our staff was busy executing many reimagined ways to best serve children during a global pandemic.

With the help of local partners, we functioned as a distribution center and hosted SEVEN drive-thru events, providing free grocery packs and educational support kits to families in need. Our team continued to turn the Museum’s signature literacy, STEAM, and art-based programming into subsidized virtual outreach experiences and free digital content accessible on our social media channels and website.

Before closing on March 13, 2020, we completed the renovation of our galleries and thanks to the Paresky Family Foundation, newly renovated performance spaces and an auditorium were ready to be enjoyed upon reopening! When we were able to safely reopen partially in May 2021, we proudly hosted healthcare heroes and their families for a complimentary Grand Opening Weekend to be the first to enjoy these new spaces. In June we returned to operating seven days a week and welcomed, ‘THE WIZARD OF OZ™ Educational Exhibit’ and appropriately celebrated the story of overcoming obstacles and growing in the face of adversity! Additional on-site and online programming highlighted diversity and multi-sensory access with events such as our LGTBQ+ initiative, Rainbow Families Month, and Sensory Friendly Saturdays, which provides free access to families that have children on the spectrum to explore the Museum in a sensory modified setting. Continuing our commitment to combating learning loss in underserved children, we immediately provided 20 scholarships to children from low-income families to attend our Cultural Summer Camp, thanks to the City of Miami & a Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs Summer Arts & Science Camps for Kids Grant. Each week campers learned about a different global destination and gained an appreciation for our cultural differences.

There is so much more we have accomplished in this short time. Please take a moment to look through the following pages to celebrate these achievements with us. We look forward to the future and supporting the next generation of leaders and changemakers TOGETHER. With gratitude,

Sincerely,

Deborah Spiegelman CEO/Executive Director

OUR MISSION

Miami Children's Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational institution that is dedicated to enriching the lives of all children by fostering a love of learning through play and enabling children to realize their highest potential.

OUR VISION

It is our vision to be recognized as a premier institution serving children and their families while inspiring children to learn about themselves and the culturally diverse community we live in through art, science, literacy and early childhood education.

Concluded Summer Explorers Camp with X scholarship students

Won the “Outstanding Contribution to Children’s Theatre” Remy Award from The South Florida Theatre League

NOVEMBER 2019

Hosted National Adoption Day, which provided comfortable courtrooms settings throughout the Museum where 53 children had their families made whole and were officially adopted

Increase literacy skills amongst 120 families through our bilingual literacy family workshops thanks to The Kislak Family Foundation and The Anthony R. Abraham Foundation

OCTOBER 2019

Hosted our largest 10th Not So Scary Family Halloween Bash, chaired by Kelly & Chris Melchiondo and Claudia Rodriguez and Oscar Rojas

Had a special appearance from DJ Khaled at our 5th Something's Brewing After Dark chaired by Keith Saunders and Frantz Pilorge

DECEMBER 2019

2020 Closed to the public due to COVID-19 Pandemic and transitioned 96 Early Childhood Institute preschool students and 345 S.M.A.R.T Afterschools students to a virtual platform MARCH 2020 JANUARY 2020

Opened Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Exhibit with over 1,253 visitors

Transformed Sensory Friendly Saturday from reduced admission to free admission thanks to Albert E and Birdie W. Einstein Fund

Created 10 Sensory Packbacks that include tools to help visitors regulate sensory elements

FEBRUARY 2020

Raised X amount at the Be A Kid Again Gala chaired by the Riemer Family

APRIL 2020

You’re never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to a child.

Dr.Seuss

MAY 2020

Hosted our first Drive-Thru Food Distribution thanks to Caleb & Calder Sloan's Awesome Foundation

JULY 2020

Transformed our signature public programs to our first community drive-thru event

MARCH 2021

Provided 43 at-risk children with in-person Spring Break Camp at the Museum thanks to funding from a generous local foundation

Reopened 7-days a week with new timed structured Opened Wizard of OZ Educational Traveling Exhibit

JUNE 2021

Launched a new initiative, Museum at Home, to provide original educational digital content for children, families, and educators remotely

JUNE 2020

Launched live virtual programming for Museum Members

2021

JANUARY 2021

Resumed in-person Preschool for 48 students while offering remote learning for X students

MAY 2021

Began phase 1 of reopening with an exclusive weekend for Front Line Workers and Museum Members

TOGETHER ...BEFORE COVID WHAT WE DID

Prior to reimaging how we served our community due to COVID, we served the community in the following ways (data from July 2019 to March 2020):

59,000

individuals received free access and reduced admission to the Museum’s exhibits and programs, and community programs.

Provided preschool children attending subsidized under resourced early childcare programs with hours of Moveable Music classes, which enhanced their emergent communication, literacy, mathematics and social-emotional development.

200

837

Served children with autism through dedicated specialized programs at no-cost to the families.

students from four Title 1 schools attended curriculum based after school programs located in Earlington Heights/Brownsville, Liberty City and Miami Gardens.

120

children enjoyed our Educational Field Trips. families participated in bilingual Parent -Child Literacy Program.

700

Provided art programing to children at Art Basel and Art Wynwood.

WHAT WE DID

TOGETHER ...APRIL 2020-JUNE 2021

Distributed lbs. of food to families experiencing food insecurity.

Each family also received books, PPE items, learning resources, board games, family kits filled with educational activities, and more!

Pivoted our signature events into seven free community drive-thru celebrations serving people.

This allowed us to provide a safe family experience for National Ice Cream Day, Halloween, Literacy Celebration, and Autism Awareness Month

4,100

Created and distributed curriculum kits and resource bags with books to children to promote engagement in STEAM, literacy, physical activities, and social-emotional learning.

Awarded camp scholarships to children from at-risk neighborhoods, including transportation to and from the Museum.

Taught students from four Title 1 schools in a subsidized curriculum-based S.M.A.R.T After School program.

Launched the “READy For School” Program by providing essential educational kits to support children with limited opportunities due to systemic inequalities.

students virtual outreach programs featuring interactive theater and art-based programs.

ARE A PART OF OUR

YOU STORY

MUSEUM HOME AT

Providing Accessible Educational Virtually

After closing in March 2020 as a result to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Museum team worked together to ensure that our innovative educational programming would remain accessible to children and families. The result was “Museum at Home”, which combined our early childhood expertise with strengths in visual and performing arts. Accessible through the Museum’s social media channels and website, daily videos and how-to guides were shared, free of charge, to the community and beyond. Reaching XX people from XXX, children had access to virtual play-based learning opportunities in science, physical development, literacy, mathematical thinking, social and emotional development, and self-expression through art/culture. This new virtual platform helped us continue important partnerships with local artists and professionals while providing a new opportunity to work with many more beyond Miami. Collaborations included programs with Jamaican born, Miami-based multimedia artist Marcus Blake, wire sculptor David Zalben, and Brazilian Postwar & Contemporary artist, Adriana Carvalho.

Topics featured: LGBTQ+ inclusion education / Cultural exploration with Native American Heritage and Asian Pacific Islanders / Stories of unsung heroes during Hispanic, Black and Women’s History Month, Autism Awareness Month / Sensory-friendly programs / Social-emotional and mental health and more!

COMBATING IN-SECURITY FOOD

A core value of the Museum has always been to promote health and wellness in a fun and accessible way to children. In addition to highlighting those values in our virtual programming, we turned our attention to the critical need many of our local families were facing: food insecurity, specifically for nutritious options. Expanding our role as a “town-center” for local families and through the support of Susan and Richard Lampen, we partnered with Farm Share, to host drive-thru distributions of more than 50,000 lbs of food. The need in our community was shown with families lining up as early as three hours before the distributions would begin. Our staff ensured the experience had welcoming and playful feel for the families, and in addition to groceries we provided families with books, board games, materials for a STEAM project, PPE items, and tangible items to promote physical fitness, art, and creativity at home.

Through the most challenging year in our history YOU’VE BEEN RIGHT HERE WITH US.

BREAKING BARRIERS

Serving Miami’s Most

Impoverished Neighborhoods

THEWe remain committed to reducing disparities to arts, cultural and educational enrichment by providing accessible programs at no-cost to families whose opportunities are limited by geography, ethnicity, economics, and ability. For the past nine years, the Museum has hosted our S.M.A.R.T (Safe, Multicultural, Artistic, Recreational Teaching) Afterschool Program for students at Title 1 schools thanks to the Children’s Trust. Even with COVID closure we continued to provide this free after-school and mentorship program for 314 students attending Title 1 schools located in Earlington Heights, Brownsville, Liberty City and Miami Gardens as we know that families are depending on us for a safe and educational program. This year we added professional support from certified psychologists and therapists from Baptist Health to assist with the transition of returning to an in-person learning environment. Thanks to you, countless other families like The Morris Family have access to the Museum's educational program. In May 2020, 250 “READy for School” kits were distributed to families in Miami’s underserved neighborhoods to provide essential educational support for children in kindergarten through fifth grade that are subjected to the COVID slide learning loss. Kits included books and items that promoted literacy, math skills, physical health, creative self-expression, and a $10 amazon gift card thanks to The City of Miami, The Children’s Trust, Judge Norman Gerstein, Nicola Brown, Tania Galloni. With support from The Salah Foundation, we provided 103 children from our S.M.A.R.T Afterschool program with Winter & Spring camp scholarships. Transportation and meals were provided to ensure children had a safe space to explore and engage in enriching activities while on break. Virtual cooking classes were provided by Flipany and Tatsey’s and during Spring Camp, campers learned about circuits and used motors and batteries to build objects that move

The Miami Children’s Museum Aftercare program at Kelsey L. Pharr Elementary has been a godsend for me. As a single parent of three, I can really say that this program has helped me to finish school and work while knowing that my kids are in a comfortable and safe place. My daughter has been in attendance with this program since kindergarten and will soon transition to middle school. Da’niya has medical issue and has been welcomed, loved, and taken care of without any discrimination. This program has helped my daughter become so comfortable with who she is, while my sons have been given the opportunity to have positive role models impact them. Thank you, my aftercare family, for all that you do for not just me and my family but families here at Kelsey L. Pharr.

FORMAL EDUCATION

Our NAEYC accredited Early Childhood Institute preschool reopened with 66 children in January and was the first preschool to activate the Colegia platform for children and families! To make the transition as smooth as possible, we partnered with Baptist Health who provided training for our parents and teachers before returning to in-person instruction titled “Reducing anxiety for children with back to school.” As a leader in childhood education, Miami Children’s Museum partners with Early Head Start to provide hands-on comprehensive training to preschool teachers and educational support to preschoolers in Miami-Dade County. From May to July, our team provided nine virtual training sessions to preschool teachers from Hialeah and Little Havana to enhance the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) curriculum for children 1-3 years old, thanks to Early Learning Coalition in partnership with Early Head Start.

Charmaine Morris / Parent of Robert Morris, Demetrius Hawkins & Da’niya Carter

PROGRAMS SENSORY

MULTI

Supporting Children Of All Abilities

One of the cornerstones of our Mission is providing an inclusive learning environment that ensures high quality, arts-based programming is accessible to children of ALL abilities. To achieve this, we have created an array of multi-sensory access programs that are offered both in person and virtually. These free programs are tailored to children with autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing disorders, and global developmental delays and their caregivers and made possible by The Ethel and Harry Reckson Foundation/Michael Spritzer & Marjorie Baron. During our closure, we also worked on being even more inclusion when we reopened by adding brochures in Braille and Large Print for guests that are vision impaired and staff completed Sighted Guide Training given by Miami Lighthouse for the Blind. We also overhauled our website so that anyone with a disability, from anywhere in the world can access and navigate our website with ease and confidence. Our website now meets all Web Content Accessibility Guidelines Level AAA – a rare achievement! In October 2020, the Museum transformed its Arts in Residence program to be fully virtually. Thanks to the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs Youth Arts Enrichment Program Grant, we offered the virtual program series and supplies to children ages 5-12 with special needs that consisted of 3 theatre performances and 2 hands-on creative activities at no cost to the school. In 2021 we served 136 children, more than 50 teachers, at 5 schools! In April 2021, we also hosted weekly story times with guest readers to empower children and adults on the spectrum, while raising awareness and fostering inclusive mindsets. Families at home were able to enjoy engaging activities and art from people whose autism has helped them create and accomplish incredible things. During Autism Awareness Month, we also hosted an “Sensory Kit Distribution”, sponsored by AT&T Pioneers. This event provided 200 kits containing books, sensory fidgets, and calming activities to families at no cost. In June of 2021, we were happy to resume in-person Sensory Friendly Saturdays, which provides access to families that have children on the spectrum to explore the Museum in a sensory modified setting. Our first event hosted 150 guests, including community partner, “Inside Out Kids” who created an obstacle course and sensory tube. Financial barriers are some of the toughest for families of children with disabilities to overcome and we’re so proud to be able to offer them high quality and engaging sensory friendly experiences at no cost.

REPRESENTATION

EMBRACING

Diversity & Inclusion Values

Since inception, we have always believed that it is our responsibility to be at the forefront of facilitating necessary dialogue that fosters mutual respect for the diverse beliefs and values of all persons and groups. As an early childhood institution, it is our obligation give children access to diverse education in a safe and supportive environment during the most critical time of their development. While inclusion, community, equity, and culture has been in the fabric of the Museum, we also took a moment to reflect on how we can increase our efforts. Diversity Education is incorporated into monthly signature programs, drop-in workshops, and Museum At Home digital resources. This year we expanded our inclusion initiative by launching a staff DEI (Diversity Education & Inclusion) committee to expand dialogue amongst all levels of team members, increase accountability, and reinforce our commitment to working with other organizations that provide authentic representation. We continue to prioritize representation in all aspects of our programming, knowing the critical impact it has on children’s self-identity and how they view the world. Selecting topics that highlight topics with diverse cultures, interests, backgrounds, and abilities helps us accomplish this. This year we hosted special guests that helped us accomplish this including; Phillip Hargrove - NASA Flight Analysis Division, children from The Tikvah School, the first Woman Mayor of Miami Dade County- Daniella Levine Cava , Hayley Moss- Lawyer, Artist and Advocate for disability rights, Dr. Temple Grandin-Professor and Advocate for disability, National Voices for Equality, Education, and Enlightenment (NVEEE), Sunserve, Trans Pride Fort Lauderdale, Human Rights Campaign (HRC), Pridelines, TransSOCIAL, PJ Library, Miami Dade College Access Department, Mareva Tahiti Polynesian Dance Company and more.

CELEBRATING

Healthcare Heroes, First Responders, & Frontline Workers

After being closed for 408 days, we hosted a special reopening celebration to honor the courageous work of local first responders and healthcare workers. Thanks to Bilzin Sumberg’s sponsorship were able to offer free admission to these families and welcomed over 1,028 back to the Museum. To ensure limited crowds, we now offer pre-booked two-hour play sessions so that families can safely enjoy the galleries while giving our staff adequate time to clean between visits.

Inaugural Fun Fore All Ages TOURNAMENT

GOLF

Due to the continued nature of the pandemic, we had no choice but to cancel our annual Be A Kid Again Gala which historically raises over 1 million dollars. On Sunday, April 18, 2021, Miami Children’s Museum hosted our inaugural Fun Fore All Ages Golf Tournament with the virtual reception the following evening. This event gave our supporters and donors a way to support the Museum as an essential educational organization while following all CDC and social distancing guidelines. Chaired by The Netkin Family, The Riemer Family, and honorary Chair Mayor Dan Gelber, 88 golfers enjoyed a day at Miami Beach Golf Club raising more than $143,000! Each foursome featured one Junior Champion Golfer, a young golf enthusiast with playing experience between the ages of 10-18. We are grateful to our sponsors and players for their continued support during these unprecedented times. Special thanks to our event committee for their leadership. Committee members include Howard Berkowitz, Michael Berkowitz, Nancy Lash, Melissa Netkin, Sam Netkin, Ronald Street, Gary Reshefsky, Brian Riemer, Paul Riemer, and Mark Tobin.

EVAN

In Memory REED

a tragic loss this year with the passing of longtime Board Member and friend, Evan Reed. Evan was a dedicated member of our community, whose core values aligned deeply with the mission of the Museum. Fiercely devoted to his wife Stefanie and children Andrew and Rebecca, promoting the arts, and to his adopted home of Miami, he was instrumental in many of our institution’s accomplishments throughout the years. Serving on our Board for over 20 years, Even helped make it possible for us to open at our current location on Watson Island, he worked tirelessly to secure the bridge financing for our museum, served as a good will ambassador and introduced us to others who cared about children and arts education. He helped us to forge our revered partnership with Art Basel, “Art Kids” He remained active on the Board of Directors until his untimely passing and his legacy will live on at the Museum.

SUPPORTERS

Miami Children’s Museum deeply appreciates all the individual, corporate, government, and foundation donors who generously support our mission. We gratefully acknowledge the financial contributions of our supporters whose cumulative giving totals $1,000 or more between July 1, 2019–June 30, 2021.

$500,000+

Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs*

$100,000 - $499,999

Baptist Health South Florida*

The Batchelor Foundation, Inc. Robert & Michelle Diener Foundation

$50,000 - $99,999

Anthony R. Abraham Foundation, Inc.

Robert & Michelle Diener Charitable Foundation

The Kirk Foundation

Peacock Foundation, Inc. Alan H. Potamkin

$25,000 - $49,999

Bank of America Corp.

Yolanda & Jeff Berkowitz

Florida Dairy Farmers Inc

Richard J. Lampen Fund at the Miami Foundation

Susan and Richard J. Lampen State of Florida Division of Cultural Affairs

The Ethel and Harry Reckson Foundation, Inc

$10,000 - $24,999

Academica Management LLC

Alvah and Wyline Capman Foundation

Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod LLP

Centruy RIsk Advisors City of Miami De Picciotto, Fournier, and Garcia Family

The Dula-Kobuschu Charitable Trust

The Garner Foundation, Inc.

Irma and Norman Braman Philanthropic Fund

Jeff and Yolanda Berkowitz Family Charitable Foundation Inc.

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Louis N. Cassett Foundation

Micky and Madeleine Arison Family Foundation

Nordstrom Northern Trust PNC Bank

Wolfson Family Philanthropic Fund

$5,000 - $9,999

AmWins Group, Inc.

Dr. Felicia and Andrew Berkowitz Jolie and Michael Berkowitz Billie Jean Kelly Recovable Trust

CBRE Global Retail Services – Team Schaul

Coastal Construction Group Marianne and John Devine DiMare Management Corp

ELMS Family Fund

Folke Peterson Animal Welfare Foundation, Inc.

Greenberg Traurig, P.A. Fana and Abel Holtz MasterCard Worldwide

The Melchiondo Family Miami Downtown Development Authority

Newell Brands Community Fund Ocean Bank Our Fund Foundation

Riemer Insurance Group, Inc. Dr. Penelope S. Shaffer & Marisol U. Slaton

Vector Group, Ltd. Warren Henry Automotive Group Julie and Eric Yamin

$2,500 - $4,999

1220 Exhibits, Inc.

AmTrust Bank

Rachel and Ryan Bailine

Berkowitz Development Group

Richard A. Berkowitz Philanthropic Fund at Miami Foundation

The Brunetti Foundation Caleb and Calder Sloan's Awesome Foundation

Capital Contractor Services

The Children's Trust

City National Bank of Florida John S.P. Cochran

Coral Gables Community Foundation

C. Davis Electric Co., Inc.

Dragonfly Investments

Gallagher Property & Casualty LLC

Geico North Miami

Mayor Daniel S. Gelber

Commissioner Sally A. Heyman

Commissoner Eileen Higgins

Ida Hutzler Charitable Trust

Nancy and Peter Lash

The Lewis Family Foundation Jackie and Adam Malamed

Molina Healthcare

The Netkin Family

Adrienne and Stevan Pardo Reef Aquaria Design, Inc.

The Law Office of Gerald K. Scharwtz

United Island & Yacht United Way of Miami-Dade

$1,000 - $2,499

Anonymous

Jeff and Beatrice Altman

ARA Food Corporation

Bay Plumbing Co.

Trish and Daniel Bell

Boucher Brothers Management Inc.

Jennifer Stearns Buttrick

The Chicago Community Foundation

The Children's Movement of Florida CPM Services

E. Roe Stamps IV Stamps Family Charitable Foundation

Fabricant & Company, P.A.

The Falcon Group Florida Healthy Kids Corporation Frida

Tania Galloni Honorable Norman S. Gerstein Gold Coast Premier Properties

Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau

Hamptons Group LLC

Ana and Neisen Kasdin

Klein Family Fund

Rahul Kothari

Judy and Donald Lefton

Lipcon, Margulies, Alsina & Winkleman, P.A.

Luria Family Foundation

The Markabi Family Giving Fund

Christy and David Martin

The Messinger Foundation, Inc.

Claudia Potamkin

Linda and Irwin Potash

Claudia Rodriguez and Oscar Rojas

The Sainvil-Gilcrest Family

The Sara Woodruff Trust

Scheiner Family Foundation

Deby and Gerald Schwartz

Deborah Spiegelman

Stark Weber PLLC

United HealthCare of Florida Verdeja, De Armas & Trujillo, LLP

Crystal Wagar Alexis and Scott Wagner

Whole Foods Market

In-Kind (<$1000)

ARA Food Corp

Baptist Health South Florida Board Oh!

Colgate BSBF Florida GoGo Squeez

Office of Miami-Dade County Commissioner Comissioner Eileen Higgins, District 5

Perry Ellis International

Publix Super Markets Charities, Inc. Tekmovil

United Face Coverings Voli 305 Vodka

Community Partners

Baptist Health Colegia

Department of Children and Families

Early Headstart

Early Learning Coalition Exchange Magazine

Farm Share

FLAEYC Flipany

Hasbro

Heel to Heal Therapy Dogs Human Rights Campaign (HRC)

Inside Out Kid Therapy- Occupational Therapists for Sensory Friendly Saturday

Jewish Community Services of South Florida

Mareva Tahiti Polynesian Dance Company

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

MCMCS

Miami Dade College Access Department

Miami Dade County Public Schools

Miami Lighthouse for the Blind Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens

NAEYC

National Voices for Equality, Education, and Enlightenment (NVEEE)

New World Symphony

PJ Library

Pridelines

Sunserve

The Advocacy Network on Disabilities

The Children's Trust

Trans Pride Fort Lauderdale

TransSOCIAL

University of Miami University of Miami School of Music

305.373-5437x142 www.miamichildrensmuseum.org FOLLOW US @miamichildrensmuseum