The Family Expo is Here!

FREERK!

INGSION & PA

DMISA

Saturday September 8, 2018

10 a.m. - 5 p.m.Miami-Dade County Fair & Expo Center

Entrances on Coral Way At SW 109th and 112th Avenues

Summer’s over and your kids may be back in school, but everything they need to have the happiest, healthiest, most productive year possible doesn’t begin and end in the classroom.

There are after-school programs to keep children safe, engaged and learning after the last bell rings; enrichment programs that immerse them in the arts, robotics, filmmaking and coding; and sports programs that encourage them to stay focused and fit. There are wellness resources to help keep them healthy and provide care when they’re not. And there are supports to increase their vocabulary, foster a love of learning and ensure their academic success. The options are seemingly endless – and they’re all at The Children’s Trust Family Expo!

Happening on Saturday, September 8, at the site of the Miami-Dade County Fair, the Expo is the largest gathering of family-centric resources in the area. More than 15,000 moms, dads, caregivers and kids will walk through this year – as they have in years past – to take in the sights, sounds and experiences available: all-day activities indoors and out; live music and dance performances; giveaways and big-ticket raffle prizes; and opportunities to learn about hundreds of academic, enrichment and wellness resources available in the community. Parking, entry and participation are all free.

“It’s difficult to be a parent, but you’re not alone out there,” says Trust CEO and President James Haj. “There are services and providers throughout this community to help with all aspects of raising children and building stronger families, and this is the place where you’ll find them.”

New for 2018 is UM’s Pediatric Mobile Clinic, which will administer

medical screenings to kids; a mobile arcade/gaming room; a teddy bear clinic sponsored by

Jackson Health System where kids

can use

bandages and bear hugs to make their plush charges all better; a living, breathing “statue” of Alice in Wonderland’s Queen of Hearts; a three-piece, interactive, paint-by-numbermural project – think giant coloring book – sponsored by The Motivational Edge; and elaborately costumed and Carnaval-like stilt walkers sure to dazzle from up on high.

“I thought this would be all about my kids, but I found out about a couple of programs for me, too,” said a mom from Miami at last year’s Expo. “That was a nice surprise.”

Eventgoers can also expect to see many returning favorites. Back-to-School Boulevard will promote academic and enrichment

programs offered by Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS); Miami

Children’s Museum will host hands-on activities inspired

by the works of several abstract expressionist artists; Baptist Health will sponsor family Zumba

classes throughout the day; HistoryMiami

will provide three

interactive stations involving sound, touch and arts activities related to its permanent exhibit, Tropical Dreams: A People’s History of South Florida; Wacky Wild Science/STEAM City Kids will bring creepy crawly critters and a giant, inflatable planetarium; and Homestead Speedway will roll in with one of its race cars.

“It’s all free, which is wonderful, and you don’t get bored,” said one mom. “The kids just want to keep going and

going and going!” Other highlights include

a daylong chess tournament courtesy of Stormont Kings Chess; a STEM center and robotics demonstration from M-DCPS; amazing fencing performances presented by Florespa Fencing

Club; Colgate’s “Bright Smiles, Bright Futures” mobile dental screening and education clinic;

and exhilarating stage performances from Fantasy Theatre Factory, Music with Meaghan and Miami Children’s Museum, the latter presenting Dr. Seuss’s What Was I Scared Of and Green Eggs and Ham.

“It’s our first time here,” said a Miami Gardens father as his two young sons, faces painted to look like superheroes, discussed what they wanted to see next. “I can’t believe how many things there are for kids to do.”

And that list grows longer every year!Crowd-pleasers like the low-cost Read to Learn book

fair, face painters and balloon artists, bounce houses and a rock climbing wall, and one-on-one selfie moments with much-loved storybook characters like Little Critter, Cookie Mouse, Ladybug Girl, Nate the Great and Splat the Cat, as well as Cartoon Network’s Bugs Bunny and Scooby-Doo, will also be returning.

“We made some new friends while we were here, and we got to do some face painting and lots of other fun things,” said another mom. “It’s just a really nice thing for the community.”

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION PRODUCED BY THE CHILDREN’S TRUST

EXHIBITORS A-Z Outdoor Mobile Units & Interactives• Arcade Truck• Bounce Houses (5)• Colgate “Bright Smiles,

Bright Futures”• Homestead Speedway• OneBlood• Rock Climbing Wall• UM Pediatric

Mobile Clinic

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M-DCPS MAGNETSTEM CENTER

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Building 1

Academy of CLASSACE AcademyActors’ PlayhouseAct4MeAdults Mankind OrganizationAffirming YOUth FoundationAgency for Persons with DisabilitiesAmerican Children’s Orchestras for PeaceAmericans for Immigrant JusticeAmigos for KidsArts for Learning/MiamiAsociación Profesional de Cuidado Infantil

Domiciliario (APCID)Banyan Health SystemsBaptist Health South FloridaBarry University School of Social WorkBe Strong InternationalBehavioral Aid SolutionsBig Brothers Big Sisters MiamiBorinquen Health Care CentersBoy Scouts of America - Tequesta DistrictBoy Scouts Troop 23Bridge Disability NetworkCare ResourceCatalyst MiamiCatholic Charities –

Strengthening Families ProgramChambers High SchoolChildren of InmatesChildren’s Home SocietyChildren’s Rehab NetworkCitrus Health NetworkCMB Visions UnlimitedCode ExplorersCommon ThreadsCommunities in

Schools of Miami

Community CoalitionCommunity Health of

South FloridaCommunity Medical Group ACCESS CentersCrime Stoppers of Miami-Dade &

the Florida KeysDentaQuestEarly Learning Coalition (ELC)ELC The Neighborhood Place

for Early Head StartEpilepsy FloridaFamily Care Council Area 11Family Expo Raffle BoothFamily Safety Net/

New Horizons CMHCFantasy Theatre FactoryFatherhood Task Force of

South FloridaFederation of Families

Miami-Dade ChapterFirst Serve MiamiFit Kids of AmericaFitness Sports KarateFlorespa Fencing ClubFlorida BlueFlorida Department of Health

in Miami-Dade County – Preventative Services

Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County – WIC

Florida Department of Transportation Safety Campaigns

Florida Division of Blind ServicesFlorida International University

Center for Children and Families (FIU CCF)FIU Child Anxiety Program at CCF

FIU EmbraceFlorida Odyssey of the Mind – Tropical RegionFlorida Poison Information Center – Miami

FuncionarteGang Alternative

Give and Save 365Greater Miami Youth Symphony

ATM

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SHOW OFFICE

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CHARACTER MEET-&-

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READ TO LEARN STAGE

INFORMATION BOOTH

Entrance

READ TO LEARN BOOK FAIR

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Watch the Monitors to Know Where to Go!Up-to-date performance schedules, exhibitor booth locations

and must-see announcements, all on the big screens located throughout the event.

Guardian ad Litem ProgramGuitars Over GunsGulf Coast Jewish Family &

Community ServicesHealth Council of South FloridaHistoryMiamiHopeHope for MiamiInstitute for Child & Family HealthJackson Health System –

Healthcare NavigatorsJackson Memorial Hospital

Ryder Trauma CenterJessie Trice Community Health SystemJewish Community Services of South FloridaJewish Community Services of South Florida

Help Me GrowKia KidzKiddos MagazineLa Luchi FoundationLeague of Women Voters of

Miami-Dade County

Building 2

Little RevoltMiami-Dade County Public Schools

(M-DCPS) Adult EducationM-DCPS Comprehensive Health ServicesM-DCPS Department of Exceptional Student

EducationM-DCPS Department of Food & NutritionM-DCPS Department of Mental Health

Services, School OperationsM-DCPS Division of Educational

Opportunity & Access

M-DCPS Early Childhood ProgramsM-DCPS FDLRS – SouthM-DCPS Instructional TechnologyM-DCPS Magnet STEM CenterM-DCPS Parent AcademyM-DCPS School Choice & Parental OptionsM-DCPS Title I AdministrationM-DCPS Title I CHESS ProgramM-DCPS Title I Migrant Education ProgramM-DCPS Title I Parent ProgramsMacaroni Kid SW Miami – KendallMiami Arts Montessori AcademyMiami Book FairMiami Bridge Youth & Family ServicesMiami Children’s ChorusMiami Children’s MuseumMiami Heart GalleryMiami HeraldMiami Learning Experience SchoolMiami Lighthouse for the Blind &

Visually Impaired

Miami Music ProjectMiami-Dade County Council PTA/PTSAMiami-Dade County Department of Juvenile

Services DepartmentMiami-Dade County Department of Parks,

Recreation & Open SpacesMiami-Dade County Department of Solid

Waste ManagementMiami-Dade County Head Start/Early

Head StartMiami-Dade County Mosquito Control

Miami-Dade County Police DepartmentMiami-Dade Family Learning PartnershipMiami-Dade Public Library SystemMusicallNAMI Miami-Dade CountyNicklaus Children’s HospitalNova Southeastern University College of Dental MedicineOperation Christmas Child

Our Kids Miami Dade/MonroeOvertown Youth CenterParadise Christian SchoolParent Education NetworkParent to Parent MiamiPilot Club of MiamiPositive Parenting ProgramPromised Land Academy & TherapyProsperity Social & Community

Development GroupRead to Learn Book Fair presented by

The Miami-Dade Family Learning Partnership

Real Special Education.com & The Adventures of KatGirl

Safe Families Partnership NetworkSouth Florida Autism CenterSouth Florida Autism Charter SchoolsSouth Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center &

Department of Cultural AffairsState of Florida Department of Children &

Families/ESS-ACCESS Program

STEAM City Kids/Wacky Wild ScienceStep Up For StudentsStormont Kings ChessStudent Athlete After School Program Sunshine Health NetworkThe Advocacy Network on DisabilitiesThe Arc of South FloridaThe Children’s Gallery & Arts CenterThe Children’s TrustThe Children’s Trust Find-a-ProgramThe Dan Marino FoundationThe Motivational EdgeThe SEED School of MiamiThomas Armour Youth BalletTrauma Resolution CenterTrinity Church Peacemakers

Family CenterUHealth Jackson Children’s CareUnited Teachers of Dade (UTD)United Way of Miami-DadeUniversity of Miami (UM) Child &

Adolescent Mood & Anxiety Treatment (CAMAT) Program

UM Families First NetworkUM Healthy StepsUM Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)UM WalkSafe and BikeSafeUM-Nova Southeastern University Center for

Autism & Related DisabilitiesUrgentVillage of Pinecrest – Pinecrest GardensWaving HandsYMCA of South FloridaYouth Move MiamiYWCA of Miami

ATM

PHOTOBOOTH

RESTROOMS

SHOW OFFICE

RESTROOMS

CHARACTER MEET-&-

GREET

READ TO LEARN STAGE

INFORMATION BOOTH

Entrance

READ TO LEARN BOOK FAIR

MIAMI CHILDREN’S

MUSEUMARTS & CRAFTS

AREA

WACKY WILDSCIENCE

FENCING DEMOS

RAFFLE

TENNIS

Entrance From Building 1 (Arnold Hall)

Exit To Outdoor Activities, Bounce Houses & Food Areas

Thank You to Our Sponsors:

SCHEDULES

Building 1

MAIN STAGE 11 a.m. Actors’ Playhouse at The Miracle Theatre

11:30 a.m. Raffle Announcement Alumni Band Guitars Over Guns

Noon GMYS Brass Choir Greater Miami Youth Symphony

12:30 p.m. Raffle Announcement Come on Along! Miami Children’s Chorus Musicall Chamber Group Musicall

1 p.m. Magic Show Amazing Mr. A Comedy Juggling Tim Erwin

1:30 p.m. Raffle Announcement Young Talent Big Dreams All-Stars Actors’ Playhouse at The Miracle Theatre

2 p.m. Hip-Hop Dance Mix Overtown Youth Center Jujitsu Kia Kidz

2:30 p.m. Raffle Announcement Composing Better Lives with MMP Miami Music Project

3 p.m. United We Stand Fit Kids of America 3:30 p.m. Raffle Announcement Lyrical Expression & Spoken Word The Motivational Edge

4 p.m. Can’t Stop the Feeling Hope for Miami Success Club Musical Dance American Children’s Orchestras for Peace

Young Talent Big Dreams All-Stars

SPECIAL AREAS• Back-to-School Boulevard

Miami-Dade County Public Schools• #BaptistHealthy Baptist Health• Chess Tournament

Stormont Kings Chess• I ♥ History HistoryMiami Museum• Interactive Mural

The Motivational Edge• Magnet STEM Center

Miami-Dade County Public Schools

Visit us on thechildrenstrust.org

#TCTFamilyExpo

Building 2

CHARACTER MEET-&-GREET

10 a.m. Little Critter10:30 a.m. Cookie Mouse

11 a.m. Ladybug Girl11:30 a.m. Nate the Great

Noon Splat the Cat12:30 p.m. Bugs Bunny

1 p.m. Scooby-Doo1:30 p.m. Nate the Great

2 p.m. Bugs Bunny2:30 p.m. Scooby-Doo

3 p.m. Little Critter3:30 p.m. Cookie Mouse

4 p.m. Ladybug Girl4:30 p.m. Splat the Cat

READ TO LEARN STAGE 10:30 a.m. Magical Bookstore Fantasy Theatre Factory 11:30 a.m. Seuss Stories Miami Children’s Museum Noon Music with Meaghan Meaghan Gasch 12:30 p.m. Back to School Trivia Challenge Fantasy Theatre Factory 1 p.m. Not a Box Miami Children’s Museum 2 p.m. Music with Meaghan Meaghan Gasch 2:30 p.m. Magical Bookstore Fantasy Theatre Factory 3:30 p.m. Seuss Stories Miami Children’s Museum 4 p.m. Magic Show Amazing Mr. A 4:30 p.m. Not a Box Miami Children’s Museum

FENCING DEMONSTRATIONS

Presented by Florespa Fencing Club

11 a.m. 2 p.m.Noon 3 p.m.1 p.m. 4 p.m.

SPECIAL AREAS• Arts & Crafts

Miami Children’s Museum• Read to Learn Book Fair

Presented by Miami-Dade Family Learning Partnership

• Tennis First Serve Miami• Wacky Wild Science STEAM City Kids