The TACOLCY Press

WHAT’S THE ISSUE

Year of Gratitude Recap

Out-of-School

OnMed Care Station

Banking Basics

Fab Lab

Upcoming Events

TACOLCY PRESS the

Aaliyah Fisher Editor in Chief

A NOTE FROM OUR EDITOR

Welcome to the third edition of our newsletter! ��

In this issue of our newsletter, we spotlight the incredible Ms. Regina, a Miami native and “mother to all,” whose lifelong commitment to helping others inspires us daily. We’ll also look back on our heartwarming Year of Gratitude Thanksgiving Dinner, share the creative turkey-themed crafts made by our Out-of-School kids, and take you behind the scenes of our Christmas in November celebration. Plus, we’re thrilled to introduce two exciting additions: a cuttingedge Fab Lab, a community lab to design incredible things using technology, and a new OnMed Care Station at one of our partner organizations, where community members can walk in, consult with a live nurse, and receive treatment and medications right away. This issue is brimming with stories of innovation, community, and care—just in time for the holidays!

Enjoy the read! ��

Regina Davis AMOTHERTOALL

ft. Ms.

For over 48 years, Regina has devoted her life to helping others, embodying a spirit of compassion that was instilled in her at an early age Raised by a mother who taught her the importance of generosity, Regina grew up learning how to make a difference even when resources were scarce.

“My mother always believed that if we wanted to help, we couldn’t always give money or clothes, but we could feed people. She could stretch a meal to feed 20,” Regina shared. “She taught us to help others because nobody helped her.”

This foundation of kindness shaped Regina’s childhood and adulthood. From caring for pregnant teens as a child to opening her home to children whose parents struggled with addiction, Regina’s home became a sanctuary “I brought kids home, let them sleep on our floors in sleeping bags, just to make sure they were safe,” she said.

Her deep sense of community extended beyond personal gestures to broader relationships As a young girl attending a Spanish school a connection to her mother’s heritage from Spanish Honduras Regina gained exposure to diverse cultures Later, through programs like Upward Bound, she met inspiring Black leaders, including South Miami’s Vice Mayor, a former Harlem Globetrotter.

That connection taught her the value of relationships, as one encounter would later reconnect her with a prominent figure in education.

Forty years after babysitting for the Vice Mayor’s daughter, I discovered she had become the deputy superintendent of the county’s public schools That’s why you build relationships,” Regina reflected.

Carryaloadinyourlife soit'snotsoheavythat yourchildrenandyour children'schildren won'tbeabletocarry thatload.

https://tacolcy.harnessgiving.org/campaigns/16059

From A MOTHER TO

“That night, I didn't babysit her, because I turned her down, remember? And that night, we stopped, he stayed in, ordered pizza, and we talked We talked about building relationships , I'm old I'm 67 But, imagine doing this all your life and not getting paid for it”

Her journey hasn’t been without trials. Regina’s unwavering commitment to doing what is right has put her in harm’s way. She recounted a harrowing incident where her home was riddled with bullets a terrifying act meant for someone else. “Three AKs. Eighty-one bullets. And I lived to tell it,” she said. Despite sustaining injuries, Regina returned to the very home where the violence occurred.

When the perpetrators came to apologize, she forgave them, demonstrating a rare grace. “My mother taught me that we decide how heavy the load we carry will be. I didn’t have space in my life for pain, so I wiped the slate clean,” she said.

Forgiveness, for Regina, is deeply tied to her upbringing. “My grandmother always said, ‘Everything you do, good or bad, will come back one day. Carry a load that isn’t so heavy that your children and grandchildren can’t bear it.’” This wisdom guided Regina in raising her own children and helping countless others.

Even amid violence and adversity, Regina’s life remains anchored in her mission: empowering parents and children. “Empowering parents means teaching,” she explained. Whether it’s washing and pressing clothes for children whose parents struggle with addiction or mentoring families, Regina has never turned anyone away.

Her philosophy is simple but profound: “We don’t need much to help others. What we do need is the willingness to act, the strength to forgive, and the courage to love unconditionally.”

Now, Ms. Regina reflects on a lifetime of service with humility and gratitude. “I was placed here to help all the children. I never turn an adult away. And I’m grateful for the chance to keep giving.”

Ms. Regina Davis stuns at TACOLCY’s Annual “Who Dunnit Gala” April 2023 | Liberty City, Miami

Ms. Regina Davis at Henry Reeves K-8 Center’s “Stomp Out Breast Cancer” parade. Oct. 28, 2024 | Miami, FL

A YEAR OF GRATITUDE

"When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed."

-Maya Angelou

Every year to celebrate Thanksgiving, we--like a host of organizations--handed out turkeys to members of the community. This year, it felt like “everyone and they momma” were giving out turkeys. And we never want to fall into the category of “what is everyone else doing?”

That’s why this year, instead of a turkey drive or a huge Thanksgiving dinner, we opted for a smaller, more intimate setting. Members of our Family Village Club and their families were invited to TACOLCY for a private, fun-filled Thanksgiving dinner.

MYA’S POSITIVE

MINDSET

MYA’S POSITIVE MINDSET

MICHAELLE VALCOURT

The book Mya’s Positive Mindset follows a young girl named Mya as she learns to overcome the feeling of sadness. This is part of an ongoing series that teaches young children how to navigate their many emotions, in a healthy and positive manner.

“I want our future children to know that is is okay to be sad,” said author Michaelle Valcourt. She goes to say how relatable the book is to younger readers, as she got the inspiration for the story theme due to her parent’s divorcing whilst she was still young. “I did have a moment of sadness,” she said. But what she wants her readers to know is, “Don’t keep it [emotions] all bottled in. It’s okay to talk to someone.”

Her deep passion for advocating for healthy emotional practices is something that she believes will be beneficial in the long run. “This will be implanted in them, and it will carry them through teenage years and adulthood.”

“Children have emotions. Us just pushing them to the side is not the right approach. We should speak to them, let them express their feelings. And believe it or not, it teaches us as well.”

MICHAELLE VALCOURT ON THE POWER OF FEELING EMOTIONS

*SPONSORED BY JUNIOR LEAGUE MIAMI

SCHOOLOUT-OF Hide the Turkey Hide the Turkey with

Get Ready for the Color Splash for Care: A Run for a Brighter Future!

February 1, 2025 | Liberty City, Miami

We are thrilled to invite you to participate in the upcoming Color Splash for Care event, a fun-filled color run happening on February 1st, 2025, right here in Liberty City! This exciting event is not just about running it’s about making a lasting impact on the lives of our youth

Community-based organizations, nonprofit agencies, and schools are encouraged to get involved by motivating their staff, students, and clients to fundraise on their behalf. Funds raised during the Color Splash will directly support vital youth programs and foster community wellness

Two Levels of Participation:

Tier 1: Raise $5,000 or more, and 80% of your funds will go into a shared pot, evenly distributed among all Tier 1 organizations

Tier 2: Raise between $250 and $4,999, and your organization will keep 60% of the funds raised by your network.

Everyone Wins: All participating organizations will benefit by receiving a portion of the funds raised, depending on their tier of participation.

We look forward to your organization joining this colorful celebration of community, wellness, and youth empowerment. Stay tuned for more details on how to register and start fundraising! Together, we can make a brighter future for the youth of Liberty City.

Stay tuned for more information. If you’d like your school, community-based organization, or nonprofit to participate, please email spagan@tacolcy.org for more information

Warm regards,

Oronde Taliaferro, Founder, C2C E.P.I.C. Youth

Pagan, CEO, Belafonte

in NOVEMBER Christmas

Our Christmas in November drive-thru event brought holiday cheer early to Liberty City! In partnership with Farm Share and TLC, we transformed the season of giving into a tangible experience for families in need. Together, we distributed whole chickens, grocery essentials, and a variety of toys to brighten the day for local children. Cars lined up as our team spread joy and generosity, ensuring that everyone who came left with a smile and a little extra holiday spirit. This event showcased the power of collaboration and our shared commitment to uplifting the community during this special time of year.

GROOTSTATUE

VISIT THE ONMED CARESTATION FOR:

Chest Exam: Colds, Coughs, Fevers, Asthma

Respiratory, Sinus and Eye Exams

Minor Abdominal Pain, Diarrhea, Nausea and Vomiting

Headache, Flu and COVID Treatment

Skin Check: Rashes & Skin Disorders

Any Cuts, Scrapes, Wounds

Blood Pressure Monitoring and more!

ONMED CARESTATION

18%ofadultpeopleofcolorareuninsured,and25%don’t havearegularhealthcareprovider.OnMed,atechenabledhybridhealthcarecompany,launchedtheir “CareStations”forpeopletostepinandgetdirectand immediatehealthcare,regardlessofinsurancestatus UnbeknownsttomanyMiamians,aCareStationcanbe foundatOvertownYouthCenter.

MEETWITHREALNURSES INREALTIME!

Peoplecanmeetwithrealnurses suchasNursePractitionerJenna Tillet,andgetmedicaladviceright thereonthespot.Anothercool aspect,theyencouragefollow-ups andcanevenprescribe medicationsifneedbe.Allatno costtoyou!

DISPATCHABLE STETHOSCOPE&CAMERA

A stethoscope is dispatched from the air for people to place on their chest, and the levels show up on the nurses end Same for the camera which allows patients to give nurses an up close, detailed look at their skin to check for rashes or other things.

BLOODPRESSUREMACHINE

African-Americans are more prone to having blood pressure issues than any other racial group of people. In the Care Station, there is a blood pressure machine, that is easy to use.

JENNA TILLETT NURSE PRACTITIONER

BankingBasics withMs.TeefromEdFed

In the last issue of our newsletter, Thedly “Tee” Nicolas from Ed Fed came equipped and dropped some financial literacy tips for our Club TACOLCY highschoolers at Miami Central We learned about budgeting, saving and investing, and understanding credit, with an emphasis on this information not only being useful for high school students, but most adults as well

Ms. Tee has joined us again, this time to discuss the basics of banking, regardless of what bank you choose. Understanding how banking works is an essential step in managing your money wisely. Here’s a quick recap on what we learned!

With a checking account, think of this as your everyday money. Great for paying bills, shopping, and withdrawing cash. However, it’s not ideal for saving long-term since it usually earns little or no interest A savings account is where you stash your money for the future While you can withdraw from it when needed, it’s best to leave your savings untouched to let it grow!

Creditvs.DebitCards

Simply put, your debit card is linked directly your checking account Meaning, that is where most of your daily transactions are done. A credit card lets you borrow money up to a certain limit, which you will need to pay back. Using a credit card responsibly can help build your credit score a key to getting oans, renting apartments, or even landing certain jobs later in life.

UPCOMING

DECEMBER 7

Bringing winter to South Florida where children and the families can enjoy a festive winter-themed immersive experience!

Donors are invited to make a financial contribution to the agency Employees can also purchase branded merchandise JANUARY31

A fun-filled color run happening right here in Liberty City! FEBRUARY1

Share updates, explore new ways to make a positive impact, and build a stronger, connected community. JANUARY 8

I Liberty City

FEBRUARY 14

Social media campaign to raise money for specific concerns in Liberty City

THE TACOLCY PRESS

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Complete a form with basic information such as name, contact info, business details, and desired ad size.

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Press-ready ads must be submitted to info@TACOLCY.org in the proper format by 5:00 PM on the 28th day of the month prior to publication.

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