Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz joined former Miami Heat Hall-of-Famer and Co-Founder of Overtown Youth Centers (OYC) Alonzo Mourning to announce the organization’s expansion into Broward County.
“I’m ecstatic that the [OYC] will bring its proven, holistic model for family and child success to Broward County,” the Congresswoman shared during a press conference alongside Mourning, Broward School District representatives, and local elected officials.
“If we truly want all our children to travel on a path of success, they must have access to sound nutrition and tutoring, STEM and arts education, and the family support systems that make it all possible,” Rep. Schultz added.
OYC Expands To Southern Broward County
In partnership with Broward County Public Schools (BCPS), the nonprofit organization has broadened its “comprehensive and long-term approach to strengthening communities” to neighborhoods in South Broward County.
The organization’s youth development model will serve McNicol Middle School from the Summer of 2026 onward while also providing its series to students from four nearby elementary schools.
“For 25 years, I have been committed to ensuring that children and families have access to high-quality programs that they need to thrive,” Mourning said.
OYC's Youth Development Approach
According to OYC’s pitch deck, the organization seeks to “optimize the full potential of those” it serves by bridging “educational, social, emotional, health, and economic gaps.”
Through its “Pillars of Impact,” OYC provides services such as academic & attendance monitoring, transportation services, financial literacy workshops, parenting classes, food & nutrition, and involving children in STEAM/STEM initiatives and activities.
So far, the Miami-based organization has helped facilitate 100% graduation rates for High School students, 224 hours of job training to adults in Overtown, and student participation in developmental activities (STEAM, Music, Dance, Sport & Fitness.
“This proven enrichment blueprint is just the type of empowering infrastructure that our Broward communities deserve, and I’ll support these efforts any way that I can,” Wasserman Schultz said.
