At Basic Needs Miami, we know that children do better in school—and in life—when their basic needs are met. Yet, far too many families in Miami-Dade County struggle to afford food, and other basic essentials.

In 2022, nearly 16% of families with children under 18 in Miami-Dade lived below the poverty line, while 63% of children were in households unable to afford the basics. Many of these families fall into the ALICE category (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed)—working hard but still unable to make ends meet. They earn too much to qualify for many assistance programs but too little to cover the true cost of living. With little to no savings, they are just one unexpected expense away from crisis. (Source: United Way Miami & United for ALICE)

The COVID-19 pandemic reinforced what we already knew: families struggling to meet their basic needs face the greatest barriers to stability and success. (United Way COVID Impact Survey)

We also recognize that schools, churches, and nonprofit organizations working to support these families are stretched thin. With limited funding, staff, and resources, many cannot take on the additional burden of sourcing and distributing basic necessities—yet these essentials are critical to keeping families engaged in the long-term programs and services that can help them thrive.

That’s why Basic Needs Miami exists. By providing food, pampers, and other necessities, we ease the burden on both families and the organizations that serve them. When families have what they need to live with dignity, children can focus on learning, parents can work toward stability, and entire communities become stronger, healthier, and more economically secure.

Because when basic needs are met, everyone has a greater chance to reach their full potential greatest potential!

Basic Needs Miami serves a network of community organizations, schools, churches, and service providers by supplying essential resources to the children and families they support every day—so they don’t have to.

This initiative is not a traditional food pantry but a supplemental resource that enhances the efforts of service providers assisting families through program services. By equipping our partners with essential supplies, we help ensure that families remain engaged in their support programs without the disruption of food insecurity or lack of basic necessities.

At the heart of our work is the well-being of both children & families and the organizations that serve them. No child should go without the essentials needed to grow, thrive, and succeed—and no service provider should have to divert limited time, staffing, or funding to secure these basic items. By alleviating this responsibility, we strengthen the capacity of our partners, enabling them to provide deeper, more effective support to the families who rely on them.

This model ensures that, through their service providers, children and families will have access to essential resources without the obstacles of transportation, long wait times, or searching for additional aid. By receiving basic necessities through trusted providers they already rely on, families can focus on stability, growth, and fully engaging in the programs designed to support them.

At the same time, this approach strengthens the agencies, schools, and churches serving them by removing logistical burdens. With critical needs met, these organizations can focus on their core mission, enhancing the overall impact on the children and families they support. 

In summary it will:

• Directly strengthen the frontline organizations serving these families, allowing them to provide deeper, more effective support.

• Enhance child and family stability, reducing stress and creating safer, more resilient households.

• Increase community engagement, allowing children to participate in summer learning and activities while parents remain focused on work and personal growth.

• Strengthen service providers, allowing schools, churches, and organizations to focus on education, mentorship, and programming rather than securing basic supplies.

Together, we are building a network of care that ensures no child, family, or organization is left without the resources they need to succeed!

At Basic Needs Miami, we recognize the most vulnerable members of our communities as individuals and families who encounter significant challenges and barriers due to their economic, health, or social circumstances. These challenges may arise from a range of factors, including but not limited to:

Basic Needs Miami prioritizes these members of our communities and our partner organizations serving them to ensure that essential services and resources are provided to those in greatest need, helping to alleviate their immediate challenges and support long-term stability and empowerment.

Hi! I’m Robin Oxford-Davis, Founder and CEO of Basic Needs Miami.

Born and raised in Goulds, Florida—a small, historic community in South Dade—I’ve always had a deep connection to the people and neighborhoods of Miami-Dade County. My passion for service stems from growing up in a community where helping one another was a way of life, and that commitment has shaped my 30+ years of work in nonprofit leadership and community development.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of holding leadership roles that allowed me to advocate for and serve those in need. As Executive Director of the Goulds Community Development Corporation, I led housing projects, commercial developments, and community initiatives that brought resources and opportunity to my hometown. I’ve also managed programs that helped remove barriers for children and families, built partnerships to maximize impact, and secured funding to support vital services.

I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Florida International University and an Associate of Arts from Miami Dade College, but my greatest lessons have come from working directly with people—listening to their stories, understanding their struggles, and finding ways to help.

At Basic Needs Miami, my mission is rooted in compassion: to ensure children and families have access to the essentials they need to thrive. By collaborating with community partners and tapping into the resilience and generosity that define Miami-Dade, I’m committed to building stronger, healthier communities where everyone has the opportunity to live the life they deserve.