1. Hi Laresha, congratulations for being our MVP! Tell us a little about yourself and how you serve with the team at Hope for Miami?
My name is Laresha Tyler and I was born and raised in Miami. I received my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the amazing Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University with a minor in Sociology. Soon after, I returned home to earn my Master’s Degree in Social Work from Florida International University. I serve as the Project Director of the Ready4Life grant here at Hope for Miami where we educate high school youth throughout Miami-Dade County on building and maintaining healthy relationships with a optional component of financial literacy.
2. Thanks, so, how do you think your skills, knowledge and interests equip you to do your tasks?
Before joining the Hope for Miami family, I was a residential counselor at a treatment center that served adults with co-morbid diagnoses. It was there that I grew a passion for prevention and wanted to work with youth. Having a background in social services and philanthropy, I learned a lot about community development and became equipped with tools to succeed in aiding communities in several sectors such as education to youth and adults, community engagement, collaboration, and leadership. Being certified as a Prevention Professional, I am able to lead our Ready4Life team by providing the necessary tools to empower them and other leaders. This is done through motivation and support towards accomplishing goals that are grant required and that also align with our team’s passion and our organization’s mission. Teamwork really does make the dream work when it comes to getting tasks accomplished.
3. What’s one aspect of Hope for Miami’s work that most encourages and motivates you?
Working with youth is all the motivation and encouragement I’ll ever need. We are literally in the midst of educating and empowering our future while providing a safe space through facilitating conversations that’ll not only encourage healthy decision making but allows youth to discuss topics that interest them.
4. Finally, tell us something interesting about yourself to help us get to know you better.
I love spending time with my family, especially my grandmothers. I enjoy beach days (although I am not a fan of the water lol). I have a spontaneous personality but skating, gardening, reading, and listening to vinyls on my record player are a few of my favorite things to do.
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