The Youth ACT Miami (YAM) project is based in Miami Dade County, Florida, USA. The project is led by youth working to understand the needs of undocumented students as they prepare for higher education. YAM is sponsored by the Poveda Education Project, which seeks to empower immigrant communities in the US. Currently Youth ACT Miami is working to create a guide tailored towards undocumented students looking to apply to Miami Dade College. The guide will cover applying for financial aid and scholarships, the admissions process, and college test prep, among other topics. The decision  to create this guide came up after a number of undocumented students expressed a need for centralized information on applying to college with an undocumented status. Our hope is that this guide will provide more clarity and guidance to these students.

The team has also worked to support the farmworker community in our area. This effort started in response to the pandemic after our members expressed a growing concern for the wellbeing of farmworkers in our area. According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s National Agricultural Workers Survey, nearly half of the 2 to 3 million agricultural workers in the United States are undocumented immigrants. Undocumented immigrants did not qualify for stimulus aid provided during the pandemic, therefore they were left susceptible to financial emergencies. In addition, the growing demand for personal protection equipment (PPE) caused a shortage of disposable gloves that farmworkers use to protect themselves from pesticides and harmful pathogens. In response to this situation, the team raised over $2,500 to buy supplies, such as gloves and masks, that allowed farmworkers to take the necessary precautions to protect them and their families. Some of the funds were also used to provide financial support in the form of gift cards.