Lotus House Opens Children’s Village in Miami’s Overtown with Major Gifts from Ken Griffin, Gisele Bündchen, & Gloria Estefan

Miami’s philanthropic community is coming together once again — this time to lift up the city’s most vulnerable children. Lotus House, the nation’s largest women’s homeless shelter and a national model for holistic care, has opened the Children’s Village, a 70,000-square-foot campus devoted to education, health, and creative expression for children and families in Miami’s Overtown neighborhood.

Constance Collins celebrates at the Lotus House Annual Gala at The Margulies Collection at the WAREHOUSE with Gloria Estefan & Gisele Bundchen. Pictured left to right: Kimberly Kloss, Karlie Kloss, Gisele Bundchen, Gloria Estefan, & Laura Valente. Photo/World Red.

Among those helping bring the vision to life are Gisele Bündchen and Gloria Estefan, two Miami icons known for their deep commitment to giving back. Bündchen, a longtime Lotus House board member and advocate for women and children, donated $1 million to build a new playground and continues to support programs that help families heal and rebuild their lives. Estefan, the celebrated singer and humanitarian, has supported Lotus House for years, helping advance its mission to provide safety, dignity, and opportunity for women and children in need.

Gloria Estefan & Gisele Bundchen celebrate the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at The Children’s Village at Lotus Village. Photo/World Red.

They joined Constance Collins, founder of Lotus House, and the organization’s team at the grand opening ceremony, which also celebrated a $5 million donation from Ken Griffin, founder and CEO of Citadel and founder of Griffin Catalyst. Griffin’s contribution will help sustain the Children’s Village’s programs and expand access to critical educational and therapeutic resources.

Located across from the 500-bed Lotus Village shelter, the new Children’s Village embodies a simple but powerful vision: that homelessness can be ended and even prevented through love, education, and community. The facility brings together more than a dozen nonprofits offering services such as early childhood education, after-school programs, art therapy, mindfulness, and health care — all under one roof designed to foster growth, creativity, and belonging.

“The next step is preventing homelessness by empowering children and families through educational and therapeutic supports, year-round programming, and greater access to healthcare and social services,” said Constance Collins. “We are deeply grateful to Ken Griffin, Gisele Bündchen, and Gloria Estefan for their generosity and shared belief in the power of community to change lives.”

Ken Griffin called the Children’s Village “a powerful example of how communities can come together to create lasting change,” adding that “when we invest in children, we invest in the future of our city.”

On Thursday, November 6, Miami’s philanthropic community gathered for a ribbon cutting ceremony and gala celebrating the milestone. Attendees included Collins, Bündchen, Estefan, and community members dedicated to supporting Lotus House’s mission.

Anchored by the Lotus House Center for the Advancement of Children and Families, the Children’s Village houses 14 nonprofit partners offering arts, health, mindfulness, legal, and educational programs. The project was supported through $32 million in New Markets Tax Credit financing arranged by The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation, U.S. Bancorp Community Development Corporation, Florida Community Loan Fund, and Enterprise Community Investment, Inc., along with pro bono contributions from Civic Construction, Behar Font & Partners, and other Miami-based firms.

The newly-built Children’s Village at Lotus Village in Miami's Overtown Neighborhood. Photo/Lotus House

Since its founding in 2006, Lotus House has served more than 13,500 women, youth, and children. With the opening of the Children’s Village, the organization is expanding its mission — turning compassion into action and building a community where every child can thrive.

“The Children’s Village is proof that it takes a village,” said Collins.

By ML Staff.