Charitable giving and community involvement is of great importance to The Betsy family. While we have many interests, we will be focusing our charitable giving activities in three areas: children at risk, conservation, and literary programs. In the months before we open we are in the process of identifying those programs we wish to support and look forward to giving more details in the months ahead.

As part of our commitment to support children at risk, we have identified an African-based project for AIDS orphans to be a recipient of our giving. Zara’s Center is a safe haven and educational institution created to nurture, support, and empower young children impacted by AIDS in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. In Zimbabwe, the center is a legally constituted charitable organization. Its activities are overseen by both a locally based independent board and a New York based 501c3. Zara’s Center targets the needs of orphans impacted by AIDS by providing educational resources, training in life skills, health services and needs, and environments for sports and recreational facilities. A business center addresses the needs of the local community while providing opportunities for technology training and promoting self-sufficiency.

Zara’s Center fosters a love of learning, encourages leadership opportunities, and enhances community building. Children will be given access to residential services and eating facilities in their “Home Away from Home,” life skills training, and a library stocked with books for all ages. We also look forward to finding ways to connect the children at Zara’s Center with young men and women in the Miami community.

Reflective of our interest in conservation in the community in which The Betsy operates, we are in discussions with a local Miami philanthropic organization to embrace a specific environmentally focused project. We look forward to sharing details with you shortly.

The Betsy South Beach also has made a strong commitment to embracing the literary arts. Our bookshelves will be filled with first edition volumes for the enjoyment of our guests and delightful literary ‘candy’ will be found on the guest pillow each night. We look forward to welcoming distinguished authors to our building from time to time and we will be selectively supporting literary programs consistent with these interests.