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Ashley Lopez, 6, plays with her new toys as the Amigos for Kids Toy Drive Caravan made it’s final stop at Jose Marti Park in Little Havana on Sunday, December 16, 2018. Amigos for Kids was among 208 nonprofit organizations selected nationwide for an OpenAI Ready Award, the nonprofit announced Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. <\/p>\n
PATRICK FARRELL<\/p>\n
Miami Herald file<\/p>\n
Miami-based Amigos for Kids was selected as a recipient of the OpenAI Ready Award through the People-First AI Fund, which is a \u201cnational $50 million initiative supporting nonprofits building people-centered, community-based solutions.\u201d<\/p>\n
Since 1991, Amigos for Kids<\/a> has tackled child abuse and held events, including an annual Celebrity Domino Night and toy drives.<\/p>\n The charity is among 208 nonprofit organizations nationwide selected for funding to support AI tools designed to help educational, social-emotional and service programs, Amigos for Kids said in a Tuesday statement.<\/a><\/p>\n READ MORE: She gave her life to kids in need. Now, her life is being remembered.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cFor more than 35 years, Amigos for Kids has stood with families,\u201d Jorge Plasencia, founder and chair emeritus of Amigos for Kids, said in the statement. \u201cThis award honors that legacy and our continued commitment to people-centered solutions.\u201d<\/p>\n With the help of OpenAI, the charity will be able to expand high-quality after-school and summer-enrichment programs. Specifically, AI tools will help Amigos for Kids create bilingual communications, organize program materials and outline lesson ideas.<\/p>\n The charity told the Miami Herald staff will always have a hand in reviewing and shaping the final product that AI was used to create so it \u201creflects our voice and community.\u201d<\/p>\n The charity also teaches age-appropriate AI literacy in its K-5 curriculum during after-school programs. This includes showing students how to protect their privacy and double-check information seen online.<\/p>\n \u201cThe goal is to build digital confidence in a safe, guided environment while keeping trusted adult relationships at the center,\u201d Amigos for Kids CEO and President Karina Pavone told the Herald. \u201cFor us, AI is a tool to support learning and strengthen our work \u2014 not replace the human connection that defines it.\u201d<\/p>\n