Nearly three million people in Florida face the risk of hunger. But nonprofit organizations like Joshua’s Heart Foundation inn Miami Beach focus on feeding working families whose wages often cannot cover a basic meal. The majority of those who receive a meal from the foundation are either Black, Hispanic, or part of another minority group that struggle to afford healthy food items.
“It’s definitely a labor of love,” said Amanda Avilez, the director of strategy for the Joshua’s Heart Foundation. “I’m profoundly grateful to build a career off of contributing to my community.”
Seventeen-year-old Arav, the secretary of the Junior Advisory Board, manages the youth that help out at the foundation’s volunteering events.
“I think, just, giving back to the community in a way like this is really nice and it really helps support those in need in Miami-Dade,” said Arav.
Nina Ramirez is a junior currently studying to bet her degree in Digital journalism. Her specific passions include film and literature, which she would like to further by either writing her own novel or directing a short film.
Carla Carvallo is a junior pursuing a Digital Communications major and a minor in English. After graduation, she plans on working in the publishing industry as a fiction writer and honing her storytelling skills. Her short story “Numbers” was recently adapted into a short film and has been chosen as an official selection for the 2025 Coconut Grove Film Festival.
Alijah Strader is a digital journalism major set to graduate in 2025. He is interested in sports and world affairs.
Alejandro Rodriguez is a Miami native and a college senior majoring in
Digital Journalism. After graduation, he wishes to work as a
journalist covering one of the local professional teams. He has worked
for ESPN Plus in the past, producing for FIU Sports as a cameraman,
replay assistant, and graphics assistant.
