Miami, FL October 12, 2020 – For the month of September GAP Brands of Dadeland Mall chose Affirming YOUth as their local community partner in their celebration of volunteering. GAP Brands partnered with Affirming YOUth Foundation (AYF) to donate food to families in need.
“It is important that we partner with local organizations that serve the community,” said Zully Millan Banana Republic General Manager. “We have partnered with Affirming YOUth in the past and happy to work with them again.”
The two organizations worked to gather non-perishable food donations that were collected at stores (GAP and Banana Republic) in Dadeland Mall.
“Food deserts are already a major challenge, add to that a pandemic, job loss, and lack of support, many families are starving in silence”, said Jonathan Spikes, Founder, and CEO of AYF. “We specifically deal with youth that has experienced trauma and need mental health support but if they are hungry, trauma healing is impossible.”
Early in 2020 AYF announced their next location would be in Miami Gardens providing youth counseling services starting in 2021. The partnership with GAP Brands allows the foundation to start serving families before the 2021 start date. “This food drive will allow us to serve our families in the Little River, Liberty City and Miami Gardens areas”, said Spikes.
Newly appointed Councilman Robert Stephens of Miami Gardens welcomed Affirming YOUth and facilitated a food donation drop to one of the largest City of Miami Gardens pantries, Antioch Missionary Baptist Church. “We can never have enough resources for our families in need”, said Councilman Stephens. We are grateful for community partners like GAP and Affirming YOUth.”
Donations were delivered last Wednesday to the pantry by Gap Brand volunteers. This partnership allows for Gap Brands to complete over 50 hours of volunteer service, thereby earning a $1000 grant to be given to local partner Affirming YOUth Foundation, Inc.
For more information go to www.AffirmingYOUth.org
About Affirming YOUth Foundation:
Affirming Youth Foundation, Inc., is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization with the vision to curate safe spaces for youth to address their traumatic experiences and discover their strengths. Our mission is to provide trauma-informed services that meet the educational, emotional, physical, and mental health needs of youth and their families.
Media Contact:
Jillian Wiggs
Jillian.wiggs@att.net
(404) 455-2697