PACT

People Acting for Community Together

Mission

PACT unites, organizes and trains leaders from diverse congregations, schools and community groups to build a powerful community voice. Individually and collectively, we empower ourselves, hold officials accountable, achieve systemic change, and promote fairness, justice and democracy in Miami-Dade County.

Past Accomplishments

Crack Houses In 1990, PACT pressured the City of Miami to demolish more than 300 crack houses in low-income neighborhoods.

Homelessness PACT helped to convince the county to create the Homeless Trust and to provide more county resources to help the homeless.

Affordable Housing In 1994, PACT negotiated an agreement with two local banks that provided $38 million for low-income affordable housing programs.

City Services On several occasions, PACT has secured improved city services in low-income neighborhoods, including new street lighting in areas where there was previously not enough light, improved cleanup of garbage dumping sites, and repair of neglected streets.

Grocery Stores When a major grocery store tried to pull out of a working-class neighborhood, PACT convinced them to stay and to improve the quality of their store.

Crime Prevention PACT actions in 1998 secured a community oriented policing program for the Norland / Norwood section of Miami-Dade and also secured an increase in the number officers who can speak Haitian Creole. PACT actions in 2001 successfully targeted hot spots of drug-dealing and prostitution.

Education Reform PACT successfully pressured the Miami-Dade County Public Schools to implement a phonics-based reading program called Direct Instruction. PACT also won $7.25 million in state funding for the reading program. The program is now positively impacting 26 elementary schools.

Immigration Reform In 1999, PACT prodded the INS to implement a mandatory two-day training program for all staff in this district to improve customer service and cultural awareness. PACT?s action also resulted in staffing changes that are speeding up the immigration process for those who want to become citizens or permanent residents.

Public Transportation In 2001, PACT launched a campaign seeking to double the number of buses in the Miami-Dade fleet. By increasing the number of buses, PACT hoped to address problems with overcrowding and long wait times for public transit. PACT successfully pressured the mayor and county commissioners to place the issue on the ballot for the November 2002 election, and then campaigned aggressively for passage of the plan. The People?s Transportation Plan passed by a landslide, and the bus fleet improvements are on schedule.

Current Membership

PACT's membership currently consists of 38 member institutions: 12 Catholic churches, 16 Protestant churches, 3 Jewish synagogues, 5 public school parent groups, and 2 community based organizations. Together, those member institutions represent over 100,000 individuals.

Those individuals, and PACT as a whole, reflect the wonderful diversity of Miami-Dade County. Approximately 51% of those individuals are Hispanic (including 29% Cuban and 22% non-Cuban); 35% are Black, non-Hispanic (including 19% Haitian, 12% African-American, and 5% Caribbean); 12% are White, non-Hispanic; and 1% are of other racial backgrounds.

Benefits to Membership

• PACT helps develop new leaders and improve the skills of existing leaders in your congregation.
• PACT is a practical and effective way to do justice.
• PACT wins concrete changes on issues that affect the lives of your members.
• PACT contributes to creating a positive public image for your congregation.
• PACT allows your members the opportunity to work with diverse residents towards common goals.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERSHIP IN PACT

• Members are expected to contribute to the financial health of the organization throught payment of membership dues and participation in the organization's annual fundraising drive.
• Members are expected to ensure their leaders are equipped and trained for this ministry.
• Members are expected to have meaningful involvement at all levels of the organization.
• Members are expected to mobilize people for public action.

Contact Info

http://www.miamipact.org

Willy Bolivar
Lead Organizer and Executive Director

305-643-1526
WBolivar@miamipact.org