At The Underline, we believe parks are more than green space. They’re catalysts for change.
That belief is at the heart of our new Park Stewards program, launched in partnership with Chapman Partnership and powered by the Lennar Foundation. This initiative is part of The Underline’s growing focus on workforce development, ensuring that our public spaces support not only recreation and culture, but also opportunity and economic mobility.
We’re proud to share that the Park Stewards program was recently honored with a NOVO Award, which celebrates organizations in Miami-Dade County that have demonstrated innovative excellence and showcase best practices in nonprofit leadership. This recognition highlights the program as a model for how public spaces can drive social and economic impact.
Through the program, participants are:
- Learning new skills through on-the-job training in park operations and maintenance
- Gaining stability by securing affordable housing opportunities
- Becoming financially independent by opening bank accounts and managing earnings
- Rejoining community life as contributing members of society
Levi’s Story
One of our first Park Stewards, Levi Adams, came to Miami to play football at Atlantis University. After an injury derailed his career, he found himself living in his car and relying on food stamps.
Through a connection at his church, Levi was introduced to Chapman Partnership, who then connected him to The Underline. Today, Levi is employed as a Park Steward, working daily to support the operations of the park while building a foundation for his future.
“This program helps you get out of a bad environment and get yourself together,” Levi says. “It’s a pipeline for the homeless community. I can build my resume, get my experience, and then transition into a new job. The growth is exponential.”
Marie’s Story
Another Park Steward, Marie, brings a deep passion for her work and her community.
“I really love this job,” Marie shares. “It’s great helping beautify the city and keeping the playground clean for the kids so they don’t get sick. The interactions I have with people make me feel like I know the community — even their dogs know me by face.”
Through the Park Stewards program, Marie was able to save up enough to secure her own housing, a milestone that has given her stability and a renewed sense of independence.
Marie also sees the program as part of a bigger solution for Miami. She hopes for more affordable housing, more job opportunities, and more partnerships like Chapman and The Underline that open doors for people who want to work hard and build stability.
Levi and Marie’s journeys are just two examples of how public spaces and strategic collaborations can change lives. The Park Stewards program is one of the ways The Underline is reimagining what public spaces can do for cities, neighborhoods, and people. Because when we invest in people, we invest in the future of Miami.
