Most kids’ books have white characters and boy leads. These go way beyond that

Want to make your child the star of their own story?

Mandi Hawke of Cosmic Unicorns is on a mission to help the world’s children through character-customized, personalized books that are gender-inclusive, race and culture-positive, disability-affirming, and empowerment-focused.

“We can make a major impact on positive growth and development,” Hawke said of the new books that many reviewers call “magical.”

“A study by the Cooperative Children’s Book Center found there were more children’s books featuring animals and other non-human characters than all types of visible minorities combined. Meanwhile, half of all the children’s books reviewed featured white children,” Hawke said.

“This study did not cover religion, ability, or gender-variance but, from experience, there are very few children’s books that honor gender creativity or provide representation for disabilities. And most books feature boys as the lead,” she added.

Check out the fun personalized character process, and learn about planned video podcasts that will showcase other diverse, inclusive, and empowering children’s book authors in a virtual “story time,” at www.cosmicunicorns.com

“According to ‘Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Racial and Ethnic Minority Youth — A Guide for Practitioners,’ when youth have a positive view of their racial and ethnic identity, it acts as a protective factor by increasing their self-esteem and buffering against racism and discrimination ... and improving mental health,” Hawke said.

“These protective factors are similarly beneficial for sexual and gender minority youth, and young people with disabilities as well.”

Volunteer at Milk & Honey Drive-Thru

Jewish Community Services and the Greater Miami Jewish Federation are collaborating to fight food insufficiency in Miami at this event, just before Rosh Hashanah, that provides meals for Holocaust Survivors and seniors.

Volunteers are needed for the drive-thru and contactless drop-off. They must be in good health, without any COVID-19 related symptoms, not have had direct contact with a known or suspected COVID case, and not traveled out of state in the past 14 days.

The JCS Milk & Honey Drive-Thru is 9-10:30 a.m., Sept. 13, at the Michael-Ann Russell JCC, 18900 NE 25th Ave. and the Dave & Mary Alper JCC, 11155 SW 12th Ave. Contact Laura Peimer at 305-403-6542 or lpeimer@jcsfl.org or register at Eventbrite.

Register for virtual ZooRun5K

You can swing from the trees on your regular jogging path, or run like a cheetah on your treadmill for 3.1 miles. However you choose, join the fun in this virtual version of ZooRun5k hosted by West Kendall Baptist Hospital and Zoo Miami Foundation.

The virtual race allows you to complete the 5k wherever you are, anytime between Oct. 2 and Oct. 11. The fundraiser will honor conservation and healthcare heroes while ensuring everyone’s safety during the pandemic.

Track miles with your phone, Fitbit, or other tracker. If you’re a serious racer, submit a photo of your timed results through your participant account by midnight Oct. 11. The fastest participants in each age category will receive placer medals.

Register for $12 at www.zoomiami.org/run or call 305-251-0400. Participants are eligible to receive a $4 discount to Zoo Miami, a themed Spotify playlist, a personalized bib, a finisher certificate, and other digital swag. You can even look the part with a cool zebra and neon green athletic shirt, medal, and festive socks available for purchase.

Kids enjoy free treats

Everything’s better with ice cream.

Mona Heisler, a Realtor with Beachfront Realty, recently hired an ice cream truck and helped distribute free frozen treats to children in the Highland Lakes and Highland Gardens neighborhoods.

“It was a huge success, and a large turnout!” said Heisler, who specializes in selling homes in those areas.

Lotus House receives big donation

With its recent $500,000 contribution, Fisher Island Gives aims to support the work of Lotus House Women’s Shelter by offering supportive shelter and holistic services for women and children experiencing homelessness.

“Preparing for and responding to the threat of the coronavirus have presented challenges never before imagined in our work and to the health and safety of those we shelter and our dedicated team,” said Constance Collins, Lotus House executive director.

“Thanks to Fisher Island Gives, we are able not only to continue our essential services but expand our programming and advance the health and safety of those we serve. It is impossible to express in words how deeply meaningful this gift is to the precious children and families we shelter.”

The shelter in Overtown is home to about 500 residents.

“Lotus House is an amazing organization and we are thrilled that we are able to provide support for them,” said Michael Rabinowitz of Fisher Island Gives.

Grant helps women in tech fields

The YWCA South Florida received a $90,000 Workforce Development Grant to implement the YWeb Career Academy as part of Google’s $5 million commitment to YWCA USA. The funds will provide career resources and help employ nearly 270 South Florida women in the technology industry.

“For 100 years, we have been showing up and doing the work of economic justice through our programming, services and resources like the YWeb Career Academy to help women, girls and people of color feel powerful and unstoppable,” said Kerry-Ann Royes, CEO of YWCA South Florida.

“This grant allows us to further strengthen the South Florida workforce, while helping marginalized working mothers and families impacted by the pandemic find sustainable employment in the fields of technology.”

Applications for YWeb open Sept. 7. Contact Natalie Robinson Bruner, Youth & Program Development Director, at nrbruner@ywcasouthflorida.org or call 305-377-9922.

If you have news for this column, write to ChristinaMMayo@gmail.com.