Park Stewards Launches Second Round for Chapman Residents
Friends of the Underline opened a second round of its workforce program for residents of Chapman Partnership.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Employment
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Friends of the Underline launched the second round of its Park Stewards jobs program on October 13 at the Underline across from the Novotel Miami Brickell Hotel. More than two dozen Chapman Partnership clients will take part over the next year.
Why it matters
The program offers workforce development to homeless individuals seeking regular employment, with the goal of building a path to self-sufficiency and less reliance on social services. For Miami, it links park maintenance work on the Underline to job opportunities for local residents.
The program is funded through $300,000 in grants from Lennar and Bank of America Miami, supporting more than two dozen Chapman Partnership clients over the next year. The source does not report how many participants will ultimately secure jobs in this round.
The players
Friends of the Underline
A nonprofit group that supports and maintains the Underline, a linear park along the Metrorail corridor in Miami.
Chapman Partnership
A Miami-area organization that provides services to homeless individuals and families and refers clients to workforce programs.
The details
Park Stewards is a workforce development program run by Friends of the Underline for residents of Chapman Partnership. In the first year, several participants secured full-time positions with the Underline's Clean Team.
Timeline
October 13, 2026: Second round of Park Stewards launched on the Underline
Over the next year: More than two dozen Chapman clients take part in the program
Market Dynamics
The second Park Stewards round extends the first year's model, in which several participants secured full-time Clean Team positions with the Underline. Its $300,000 in corporate grants from Lennar and Bank of America Miami signal continued private funding for supported-employment pathways in Miami.
Miami residents seeking work after homelessness may find a supported path through Park Stewards and similar programs. Employers and community members interested in the program's model can track outcomes as the second round progresses over the next year.
The takeaway
Workforce programs tied to public spaces can offer stable employment while improving local parks. Community members can watch whether the Park Stewards model produces full-time placements as the second round unfolds.
Further reading
Explore more Employment coverage for Miami.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Miami's Community News.
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