Childhood Experience Fund transforms the lives of underserved youth through grassroots community action, seasonal giving campaigns, and vibrant neighborhood partnerships. The organization is dedicated to creating joyful, impactful experiences that foster long-term growth and emotional well-being for children in need. By collaborating closely with community pillars like the Miami Shores Friendly Villagers, Impact Partners, The Woman's Club of Historic Overtown Village Inc, Overtown Optimist Club, Miami Dade County Foster & Adoptive Parent Association, Sister 2 Sister and utilizing local hubs like the Miami Shores Recreation Center & Optimist Club of Overtown. The fund ensures that children get to experience the simple, foundational pleasures of happy childhood experiences. The mission statement is “kids helping kids”, so I recruit students from local schools like Miami Country Day, St. Rose of Lima, Doctors Charter, Mast Academy, Lasalle and Columbus High School. These students contribute by helping put easter baskets together, donating toys, making no-sew blankets, volunteering at events like the Pickelball Tournament and Safespace Xmas Lunch and donating supplies and funds for the charity events. 

Creating Magic in the Everyday

For many families facing hardship, providing extras like holiday gifts, new school supplies, or festive baskets can feel out of reach. Over the years, my organization has coordinated significant community milestones, including donating hundreds of Easter bags, Xmas gifts, and back to school supplies to the Miami-Dade County Foster & Adoptive Parent Association. Whether it is distributing backpacks and clean uniforms for the first day of school, or ensuring a local shelter has under garments,  toys and gift cards during the holidays, the fund’s mission remains constant: no child should miss out on the milestones that define growing up.

Community Partnerships

What makes this organization unique is its deeply rooted local integration. A prime example is its ongoing partnership with the Miami Shores Friendly Villagers. Together, the two organizations host high-energy community events, such as our highly anticipated annual charity pickleball tournament. Bringing together players of all ages and skill levels, the event channels neighborhood fun into a powerful fundraising tool, with raised funds going  back into the community. This year the finals ceded 2 MCD teachers against 2 MCD seniors. The teachers won!!! So it was a fun event all around. The fund’s impactful work has also been recognized at the Friendly Villagers’ Annual Hero’s Lunch and an article in the Miami Shores Living Magazine, both spotlighting the vital work the organization is doing. Michael Murdocco (Director of Events & Youth Fundraising) was the youngest recipient of the Hero’s grant this year, and was given the opportunity to present information on my charity at the lunch.