A simple birthday tradition has blossomed into a life-changing organization for children in foster care across South Florida. Seventeen-year-old twins Constanza and Marianne Dominguez have transformed their childhood acts of generosity into Mentoring Miracles, a student-led nonprofit dedicated to opening doors for foster youth through career mentoring and professional exploration opportunities.
From Birthday Gifts to Life-Changing Opportunities
The journey began when the Dominguez sisters were just third graders. Instead of keeping their birthday presents, their mother encouraged them to donate the gifts to children at His House Children’s Home in Miami-Dade County. What started as a one-time gesture of kindness quickly evolved into an annual tradition that would shape their futures and the futures of countless foster children.
“I think the beautiful part about it is that when we went to donate our gifts, we got to play with the kids that are our age,” Constanza shared about those early experiences that planted the seeds for their nonprofit work.
The pivotal moment came during their ninth-grade year when the twins discovered that their uncle, Bill Edwards, had spent most of his childhood navigating the foster care system. Edwards entered foster care before his first birthday and experienced both supportive and challenging placements throughout his youth. His personal story of resilience inspired his nieces to think beyond simple donations and create something more impactful.
Building a Faith-Based Mission for Foster Youth
Guided by their Christian faith and their uncle’s inspiring journey, Constanza and Marianne established Mentoring Miracles with a clear purpose: to show foster children that their circumstances do not determine their destiny. The organization operates entirely under the leadership of high school students, making it a remarkable example of youth-driven community service.
The nonprofit focuses on exposing children in foster care to career paths they might never otherwise encounter. The Dominguez sisters recognized the privileges and resources they had access to growing up and felt compelled to share those same opportunities with young people facing very different circumstances.
“We came up with Mentoring Miracles because we are very faith-based. They are miracles, these kids,” Marianne explained about the organization’s meaningful name.
Career Days Opening New Horizons
Mentoring Miracles has already organized several impactful career-day field trips for youth at His House Children’s Home, providing behind-the-scenes access to various professional environments. These experiences have included:
- Tours of Miami International Airport with exploration of aviation careers
- Visits to Local 10 News studios to learn about television production and journalism
- Opportunities to meet working professionals and see live newsrooms in action
- Interactive experiences that bring career possibilities to life
The impact of these experiences has been profound for both the participants and the organizers. Watching foster children discover new passions and recognize their own potential has been incredibly rewarding for the teenage founders.
A Living Example of What’s Possible
For Bill Edwards, witnessing his nieces create opportunities for children facing circumstances similar to his own has been deeply meaningful. His journey from foster care to becoming a successful adult serves as powerful proof that background does not limit potential.
“I feel lucky, blessed and really happy,” Edwards expressed about seeing his personal story inspire such meaningful change.
The twins hope their uncle’s success story resonates with every foster child they encounter. They want these young people to understand that they possess unlimited potential regardless of where they come from or what challenges they have faced.
Expanding the Mission Across South Florida
Mentoring Miracles is not slowing down. The organization has ambitious plans to continue expanding its career exploration program with upcoming visits to several exciting locations:
- Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office for exposure to legal careers
- PortMiami to explore maritime and logistics professions
- Blue Origin’s operations hub on Merritt Island for aerospace career exploration
The organizers are actively encouraging local businesses throughout South Florida to partner with the nonprofit by hosting future career-day experiences. These partnerships provide invaluable opportunities for foster youth while allowing companies to make meaningful contributions to their community.
For those interested in supporting this inspiring initiative, more information is available at mentoringmiracles.org. Whether through volunteering time, hosting career days, or making donations, community members can help ensure that more foster children have the chance to dream big and discover their potential. The Dominguez twins have proven that young people can create tremendous change when they combine compassion with action.
