The Motivational Edge

The Motivational Edge (The Edge) is one of the leading arts-based youth development impact organization in South Florida. The Edge is a fully adaptive and stand-alone Miami-based 501c3 nonprofit organization, integrating health & human services within culturally responsive arts programming for youth with adverse childhood experiences and those in crisis.

The Edge implements a trauma-informed approach focusing on mentoring, job readiness, and life-skills development through the Arts, and Health & Wellness initiatives, to ensure that every youth and young adult we serve is ready to contribute positively to their community. The Edge serves a wide range of youth including those in the Child Welfare System, youth in residential treatment facilities, youth that are homeless or in shelters, youth at-risk from the community and youth in the Juvenile Justice System. Today, alumni of The Edge's programming are walking success stories and can be found making a difference in their communities.

One of the biggest barriers youth are experiencing is having access to quality programs and experiences. Most of the youth The Edge serves, unfortunately, do not have the resources to be able to attend our programs. As part of our Mission, we've narrowed the bridge, transporting nearly 40 marginalized youth daily - but the need is much greater. Having access to transportation becomes access to success for these young people. Through your support, you will help us reach the unreachable!

Thank you Miami for making The Motivational Edge one of South Florida's leading youth development agencies.

Here are a few highlights from 2022-2023.  

• The Edge provided over 107,460 hours of collective programming
• More than 8,000 hot meals to the community and over 6,250 hours of academic & career assistance
• We served over 2,277 students and families across the state of Florida
• The Edge employs over 34 staff most of whom are local artists that live in the community
• Over $500,000 reinvested into the community in the form of Teaching Artist wages
• 100% of Seniors graduated from High School
• 85% of youth improved their social-emotional learning and well-being
• 92% of youth increased their arts aptitude
• 91% of youth showed an increase in Positive Peer Relationships
• 1 in 5 youth served has a disability