Our mission is to engage South Florida students and empower them to organize in their area
Today, Rep. Anna V. Eskamani announced that People Power For Florida (PPFF) and Mi Vecino will host a joint organizing bootcamp – a workshop to train students how to build power and engage their communities – on October 15th at Florida International University in Miami.
At the start of 2023, People Power for Florida began hosting Organizing Bootcamps to help students learn critical best practices for leading events, taking direct action, and collectively bringing about change on the issues they care about. After hosting trainings at UCF, FSU, and UF in the spring, PPFF is teaming up with Mi Vecino to empower South Florida students on FIU’s campus.
“We are so excited to bring our youth organizing bootcamp to South Florida,” said Anna V. Eskamani. “Young people are the future of our state and Gen Z will change the tide in Florida but it’s essential that we support them in their growth. This is one powerful way to do that.”
With topics spanning from how to share your story of self to a deep dive into the upcoming 2024 legislative session, there will be deep conversations about the components of Florida’s legislature and activist spaces. During the Organizing Bootcamp, students will also hear from guest speakers that will share their experience and knowledge with students–including School Board Member Luisa Santos, Alex Berrios, Max Tuchman, Vice Mayor Sabrina Javellana, and State Rep. Dotie Joseph.
“Miami’s youth are the torchbearers of change and have been instrumental in Mi Vecino’s on-the-ground work in their backyard” said Mi Vecino Cofounder, Alex Berrios. “Our focus is on the next generation—these young changemakers are the pulse of our community. Partnering with People Power For Florida, we’re not only investing in strategies but in Miami’s young hearts and minds, the true architects of our future.”
This announcement comes on the heels of extensive efforts to reach college students in the face of attacks on higher education–such as HB 999 passed in the 2023 legislative session. After recently completing their Dorm Storm voter registration efforts at campus move-ins, PPFF is excited to partner with Mi Vecino to continue inspiring and empowering the next generation of Florida organizers.
Anyone interested in learning more about the bootcamp can register online here at: peoplepowerforflorida.com/bootcamp
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In 2022, People Power for Florida collected 5,013 voter registration forms and nearly 9,000 forms since its inception in 2021. In 2023, People Power Florida plans to continue registering voters and expanding its mission to become a leading source for Florida-specific voter education.
Mi Vecino has pioneered daily, sustainable organizing in Florida, emphasizing direct community engagement that happens daily. Since its launch in 2021, Mi Vecino has engaged in over 400,000 face-to-face conversations, registered over 35,000 voters, enrolled more than 32,000 into vote-by-mail, and mobilized over 182,000 voters in the 2022 election.