Most DJs measure a night by the door count. In Miami, a crew called DJs With A Cause measures it in plates served, toys handed out, and blocks cleaned up. They're the DJ arm of I Love Avenue, a nonprofit that has been turning what it calls "random acts of love" into organized community action since 2009.
From Loss to a Movement
According to the organization, I Love Avenue began with founder Luis Martinez, who lost his father, brother, and mother in quick succession as a young teenager. Strangers stepped in — housing him, feeding him, clothing him, and giving him work. Fresh out of high school, he gathered friends to pay it forward: cooking meals and driving through Downtown Miami to feed people experiencing homelessness, collecting toys, and throwing holiday events for families. And at those events, Martinez did what he knew best — he DJed for families who could never afford a DJ. After years of work, the movement was granted official 501(c)(3) nonprofit status in 2020. Since the beginning, the organization says it has completed hundreds of acts of love, from LoveBlock parties and homeless outreaches to beach cleanups, toy drives, and supply drives.
The Decks With a Mission
DJs With A Cause describes itself as "a community of DJs who use their talents and high energy to give back and spread love." The program partners with charities and organizations across South Florida, bringing live DJs and emcee services to events serving under-served populations — because, in their words, "our DJs make give back events more like a party." The DJ program is one of several I Love Avenue initiatives: G.L.A.M. (Girls Love Avenue Movement) mentors women on mental, emotional, spiritual, financial, and physical health; Youth Avenue mentors young people; Clean Up Avenue runs beach and community cleanups; and International Avenue carries the movement worldwide.
How to Plug In
There are three ways in: volunteer your time or skills at the next event, book one of their DJs, MCs, or speakers for your own event — a percentage of proceeds supports the mission — or partner with the organization directly. Start at djswithacause.org.
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