Aventura Mall is a proud advocate for Achieve Miami, supporting the local nonprofit’s mission to advance educational equity in Miami-Dade County by providing meaningful educational experiences that bridge disparities and demonstrate the power of students learning with and from each other. Since launching in 2015, Achieve Miami has positively impacted thousands of students through literacy, music, service, leadership, and college readiness programming to help students succeed in higher education, careers, and beyond. Its selective Achieve Scholars program will provide college readiness support to seniors at schools throughout Miami-Dade.
Aventura Mall has supported Achieve Miami through several initiatives. Over the summer, the shopping center worked with its Macy’s store to connect students from Title I high schools across Miami-Dade with professional stylists as part of Achieve Miami’s annual Best Look Forward event, which helps teach students how to dress for success. In addition to being styled and given interview guidance, students enjoyed a Macy’s shopping spree, as well as a delicious meal sponsored by Aventura Mall’s Shake Shack. Each of the 61 students that attended sent a handwritten “Thank You” note to Aventura Mall with a picture of themselves wearing their selected outfit.
“We understand that access to professional attire can open so many doors for our students, whether for college interviews, work interviews or just professional life… we’re so excited to give them this access,” says Achieve Miami Director of development Rachel Saiontz Geary.
“Aventura Mall understands the importance of engagement, collaboration, partnership and, most importantly, community,” says Achieve Miami founder Leslie Miller Saiontz. “We need to create and embrace a diverse cohort of minds. Achieve Miami uplifts students from all different backgrounds and brings them together through commonality and connectivity. That’s what’s going to make the biggest difference in our collective future.”
To learn more about Achieve Miami, visit www.achievemiami.org.
