Join the Florida Philanthropic Network [FPN], in partnership with Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees (GCIR), Hope CommUnity Center, Orlando Center for Justice, and Resilience Force for a timely and important discussion on building resilient communities in Florida.
Florida is home to diverse and vibrant populations, each with unique needs. However, shared among them is the critical need for safe housing, access to healthcare, job opportunities, and legal services. This briefing will spot-light how organizations across the state are responding to ongoing challenges and building systems to support communities in times of uncertainty.
The session will begin with a national overview from GCIR - the only philanthropic organization in the country exclusively focused on mobilizing resources to support immigrants and refugees. This will be followed by insights from three Florida-based organizations actively working on the ground to:
- Prepare vulnerable communities for inevitable climate events
- Navigate the impact of evolving healthcare legislation
- Address complex legal challenges facing immigrant and underserved populations
We will have opportunity for discussion and Q&A at the end of the briefing.
Featured Speakers
Kevin Douglas
Kevin joined GCIR in 2019 and is the Senior Director of National Programs. He leads GCIR’s public policy work, manages the Advancing Economic Justice Community of Practice, and shapes strategic programming and funder resources. Previously, he served as Co-Director of Policy and Advocacy for United Neighborhood Houses of New York, where he led campaigns securing hundreds of millions of dollars in public investment for community services. He was recognized as one of New York Nonprofit Media’s 40 Under 40 and a Next Generation Leader by the Human Services Council. He also co-founded the giving circle 100 New Yorkers Who Care and has served on several boards, including the New York Immigration Coalition. Kevin holds an MSW from the University of Pennsylvania.
Cynthia Hernandez
Cynthia S Hernández re-joined the Resilience Force as National Training Director in 2022 just as Hurricane Ian was making landfall in Florida. Cynthia had previously been the Florida Director of Resilience Force from 2018-2020. During that time, Cynthia tracked changing conditions and regulations affecting Resilience Workers and advocated for labor protections at the local and state level. Cynthia began her career as a researcher and instructor at Florida International University’s Center for Labor Research & Studies (CLRS) in 2006. Her research interests include issues at the intersection of labor and immigration, with a focus on wage theft. Her numerous research and publications led to the creation of several county-wide anti-wage theft ordinances throughout Florida, which have helped recover millions of dollars of unpaid wages.
Read Full Bio Here
Melissa Marantes
Melissa Marantes is the Executive Director and co-founder of Orlando Center for Justice. Her work at OCJ includes teaching and mentoring law students because her passion is to inspire future community lawyers and providing legal services to the community in Central Florida. Mrs. Marantes sits on the Mayor's Multicultural Affairs Committee. Prior to being a lawyer, Mrs. Marantes worked for 10 years in the advertising industry as an interactive broadcast producer for the Hispanic market. Mrs. Marantes is a FAMU Law alumni, a Latina, mother of two, community lawyer and advocate for access to justice in Central Florida.
Felipe Sousa Lazaballet
In addition to managing day-to-day operations, leading 30 staff members, overseeing the management of seven programs, and increasing financial support for the 50-year-old organization; Felipe collaborates with community advocates, supporters, leaders, and organizations throughout Central Florida to drive the interconnectedness and synergy of Hope’s programs. His first-hand understanding of the immigrant experience along with his vision, passion, and power of networks have refreshed Hope’s support, empowerment, and advocacy for immigrants and others who are tenacious and courageous in the face of all systems of oppression.
Prior to joining Hope, Felipe was the Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Sr Specialist for the Office of Multicultural Affairs at the City of Orlando. In this position, he proposed policy recommendations and programs; advocated for best practices on LGBTQ+ issues and immigrant and refugee affairs; and directed outreach to the Muslim, Brazilian, and Haitian communities to encourage greater participation in city services.
Read Full Bio Here
Registration
Members - Complimentary
Non-members - Complimentary
Grantmarkers only
