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BRANCHES: Building Brighter Futures in South Miami and Beyond
Exclusive to SOMI Magazine
For over 50 years, Branches has provided opportunity, stability, and hope for families across Miami-Dade County. What began as a small neighborhood outreach effort has grown into a countywide network of after-school enrichment, financial wellness services, small business support, and community partnerships.
At every step, Branches has remained rooted in meaningful relationships—with students, families, and community members who believe in the potential of every child. Among the organization’s earliest and most steadfast supporters are philanthropists Trish and Dan Bell, whose leadership has helped shape Branches into the impact-driven organization it is today.
A Legacy of Leadership: Trish & Dan Bell
For nearly two decades, Trish and Dan Bell have championed Branches’ mission, investing in programs that lift children and strengthen families. Their belief in the potential of every child—and their commitment to expanding educational opportunity in Miami-Dade—has inspired countless others to give, volunteer, and support Branches’ work.
In 2024, philanthropists Trish & Dan Bell were honored to receive the prestigious Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce “Sand in My Shoes” award. Established in 1981, the award is presented to outstanding community leaders who have made significant contributions to the region, demonstrating a deep love and commitment to Miami as the best possible place in which to live, work and play.
For more than 40 years, Trish and Dan Bell have dedicated themselves to enhancing our community through their leadership and philanthropic endeavors. Their primary focus has been on creating opportunities to uplift underserved individuals who lack the necessary resources and support to thrive independently. The Bells provide significant philanthropic support to a wide range of community service and cultural organizations. In addition to their demonstrable support of Branches, other recipients of their largesse include the United Methodist Church, Chapman Partnership, the Frost Museum of Science and Baptist and Jackson Hospitals. The Bells also are the principal funders of the new multi-faith “Trish and Dan Bell Chapel” on the main campus of Florida International University.
Through their generosity, the Bells have helped Branches expand services, open new sites, and provide scholarships that change lives. Their impact is felt daily, and their steady support remains a driving force behind Branches’ growth.
Mission: Partnering With Families to Build Educational and Financial Assets, Community, and Hope
At the heart of Branches is a mission grounded in partnership:<br>Branches partners with families to build educational and financial assets, community, and hope. This mission comes to life through programs that support children from early learning through college and provide adults with the tools to achieve long-term financial stability.
Programs: A Continuum of Support for Families. Branches walks alongside families for months and often years, creating a continuum of support from early childhood through adulthood. This mission comes to life through three interconnected pillars:
1. Student Services: Grow, Climb & Climb Higher. Branches serves more than 550 students annually through after-school programming that combines academic enrichment, literacy and math support, project-based learning, mentorship, and social-emotional skill-building.
- Grow lays the foundation for children in kindergarten through 5th grade, fostering curiosity, creativity, and confidence through hands-on learning.
- Climb prepares middle and high school students to graduate with purpose, offering mentoring, leadership development, and college and career guidance.
- Climb Higher continues support for students pursuing post-secondary education with scholarships of up to $12,500, mentoring, and community support to ensure persistence and success.
Families are partners throughout the student journey, receiving guidance, workshops, and connections to resources that support their child’s academic growth and well-being.
2. The Achieve Programs: Financial Wellness & Family Stability. The Achieve Programs empower children and adults, enabling families to navigate their financial journeys together and build long-term stability.
Key services include:
- One-on-One Financial Coaching: Personalized guidance to build savings, reduce debt, improve credit, and plan for long-term financial security.
- Financial Education for Children & Youth: Lessons for Kindergarten through 12th grade teach saving, budgeting, borrowing, and investing, helping students develop healthy financial habits early.
- VITA Free Tax Preparation: Branches leads the Miami Tax Pros coalition, offering IRS-certified tax prep and ITIN services to maximize refunds and access credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
- Miami-Dade and Broward Community IDs: Community IDs enable access to healthcare, education, banking, and other essential services.
- Emergency Services: Partnerships with local congregations provide food resources, disaster relief, and other urgent supports.
VITA Miami Tax Pros
Branches also leads Bank On Miami, helping low- to moderate-income families access safe, affordable banking products and build financial security.
3. Micro-Business Support: Entrepreneurship & Economic Opportunity. Branches strengthens economic opportunity through programs that help entrepreneurs turn ideas into thriving businesses. The Micro-Business Incubator, E-Lab, and BE ONE platform guide entrepreneurs from concept to fruition, or from “Idea to Implementation.”
- Micro-Business Incubator: Supports established businesses with coaching, technical assistance, micro-grants, training, and networking.
- E-Lab: Helps entrepreneurs develop new business concepts and ensures they are digitally adept.
- BE ONE: An online platform offering exclusive courses and networking opportunities with peers and mentors.
Together, the Achieve Programs and Micro-Business Support provide families with the financial knowledge, business skills, and resources needed to build strong, sustainable futures.
Spotlight on South Miami: A Branch Led With Heart. Branches South Miami is a hub of support and opportunity. Site leader Laurie Kahn brings deep compassion and hands-on involvement, knowing every student and family personally. She collaborates with local schools and partners to create a safe, nurturing space for children and parents.
Programs at South Miami include after-school academic enrichment for elementary, middle, and high school students; mentorship and leadership development for teens; family engagement, financial wellness resources, and community workshops, and provide a welcoming hub for support, connection, and opportunity.
Laurie’s big heart, combined with Branches’ programming, makes South Miami a true anchor for families.
Branches South Miami is located at 5961 S.W. 68th Street, Suite 105, South Miami, FL 33143 | Phone: 645.202.6646
How to Get Involved. Branches thrives because of volunteers, donors, and partners committed to building brighter futures.
Volunteer: tutor or read with students, serve a meal to students, assist with free tax prep, prepare sandwiches or snack packs, help beautify a Branches site. Volunteers can participate in one of Branches’ in-kind drives throughout the year: food drive for Thanksgiving, toy drive for the Under the Tree Toy Shops, and school supply drive for Back to School.
Donate: monthly or one-time financial gifts sustain after-school programs, scholarships, financial coaching, and other services.
Partner: businesses can sponsor programs, host volunteer days, or collaborate on initiatives that uplift families.
Together, We Build Brighter Futures
Branches’ mission comes alive daily—in the confidence of a young reader, the determination of a college-bound teen, the relief of a parent paying down debt, and the hope families rediscover when supported.
With champions like Trish and Dan Bell, leaders like Laurie Kahn, and a community that believes in possibility, Branches continues planting seeds of opportunity across Miami-Dade.
Visit BranchesFL.org to learn more or get involved.
Photos provided by Branches.