A simple Google of "Liberty City" will give you the following searches: "Liberty City Shooting", "Killing in Liberty City", and "Liberty City Shooting Victims". The headlines might also tell you that Liberty City inspired one of the Grand Theft Auto video games, in which the plot of the game centralizes around gang violence. However, there is an incredible nonprofit that is disrupting these crime-ridden headlines and changing the lives of the children of Liberty City.

Miami Children's Initiative, MCI, has identified shocking statistics that showcase the effects of the trend of poverty within Liberty City. According to their website, adults in Liberty City have:

● An average unemployment rate of 13.4% vs. the national average of 5%

● A high school graduation rate of less than 45%

● A college graduation rate of 8.2% vs. the national average of 30.1%

● A neighborhood per capita income lower than 97% of other U.S. neighborhoods

These statistics directly affect the children of Liberty City, drastically increasing their chances of dropping out of school, becoming a teen parent, and committing a crime. MCI seeks to address the needs of the youth of Liberty City to empower them out of the poverty cycle.

MCI has a "cradle to career" approach that seeks to facilitate the transitions from early childhood to adult life. MCI's mission is to create a community-based network that develops, coordinates and provides quality education, accessible health care, youth development programs, opportunities for employment, and safe neighborhoods for children and families residing in Liberty City.

Since their establishment in 2006, 96% of school-aged children have been enrolled in meaningful summer experiences and have seen an increase of overall Grade Point Average (GPA) mean with significant changes in math and science, along with significant other advancements.

Another initiative MCI has taken is to tackle the issue of health in Liberty City. In comparison to other cities in Miami Dade County, Liberty City residents have historically experienced a greater prevalence of health issues such as asthma, obesity and diet-related diseases; as well as physical inactivity, poor dietary habits, and psycho-social stressors. These issues have arisen due to lack of access to healthy, affordable food options, as well as areas suitable for physical activity. MCI has created the program "Healthy Liberty City" in hopes of addressing these issues. The program consists of community gardens, family healthy cooking lessons, bike share programs, and after-school nutrition and healthy cooking education.

MCI is driven to end the crime that exists where hundreds of children live. They seek to disrupt the trend of poverty in Liberty City and transform the community by investing in the next generation of Liberty City. With support, the new's headlines will be filled with the empowering stories of the next generation of Liberty City, not the crime that currently inhibits their childhoods.

To donate to MCI, please click here.