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CELEBRATION OF IMPACT AWARDS
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And the Winners Are...
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United Way Miami is proud to recognize five extraordinary leaders whose service and commitment are making a lasting difference across our community.
The 2026 Celebration of Impact Award honorees are Dr. Alison Thompson, founder of Third Wave Volunteers; Erin N. Kobetz, Ph.D., MPH, a University of Miami health equity leader; State Rep. Mike Redondo; Miriam Singer, president and CEO of Jewish Community Services of South Florida; and Sophia Chen, a 2026 graduate of Cutler Bay Senior High School.
Together, they reflect the spirit of United is the Way: mobilizing volunteers, advancing health, strengthening human services, championing public service and empowering the next generation.
Join us in celebrating these exceptional changemakers on Friday, September 25, at 11:30 a.m. at The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove.
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A MESSAGE FROM THE CEO
United Is The Way
As we head into the fall, United Way Miami is building on the momentum of our Blueprint for Impact, our roadmap for creating measurable, lasting change across Miami-Dade.
Transformative change begins with a shared commitment and the collective strength to act on it. When nonprofits, businesses, government, donors and community leaders unite around a shared purpose, we create meaningful impact. That is the power of United is the Way.
It is how we approach our work, build partnerships and turn vision into action. From preparing families for disasters and supporting our youngest learners to advancing economic mobility, serving veterans and responding in times of crisis, the stories in this newsletter show what is possible when we bring our strengths, resources and ideas together.
The Blueprint gives us the direction. United is the Way is how we get there.
Our focus is clear: deepen our impact, strengthen the partnerships that make it possible and create lasting change across Miami-Dade. Thank you for standing with United Way Miami and turning our shared commitment into action.
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Symeria T. Hudson
President and CEO, United Way Miami
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ADVANCING EDUCATION
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Preparing Educators, Strengthening Futures
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Behind every quality childcare program is a well-prepared team.
United Way Miami Center for Excellence in Early Education hosted its 2026 Pre-Service Training Conference at Florida International University, bringing providers together for two days of hands-on learning and professional development.
Sessions covered child development, health and safety procedures, nutrition, active supervision and curriculum support, equipping educators with tools to create strong foundations for the young children and families they serve.
The conference reflects United Way Miami’s commitment to advancing education and investing in the educators who help Miami’s youngest learners thrive.
We are grateful to the dedicated providers who continue to show up for our children, as well as FIU and the presenters who helped make the conference possible.
There is more to come! On November 23 and 24, the Center will host its Infant and Toddler Institute. In January, we will celebrate the Center’s 20th Anniversary. Stay tuned for details on this special milestone and upcoming opportunities to participate.
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GROWING OUR TEAM
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Building Leadership for Our Next Horizon
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United Way Miami is strengthening its leadership team as we position the organization for its next horizon.
We recently welcomed Esther Surujon, CPA, MBA, as our new Chief Financial Officer. A Miami native and University of Miami alumna, Esther brings more than three decades of executive financial leadership across healthcare, finance and organizational operations. She oversees accounting, finance and administration, helping ensure every dollar entrusted to United Way Miami is stewarded with transparency and accountability.
We also congratulate Norie del Valle on her promotion to Chief Operating Officer. After more than 30 years with United Way Miami, Norie will expand her leadership across Community Impact, Business Solutions and Information Technology while helping launch our new Next Horizon enterprise strategy.
Congratulations to Paola Hernandez, promoted to Chief Human Resources Officer, where she will continue strengthening our workforce through leadership development, engagement, succession planning and talent investment.
Together, these leaders will help build the organizational strength needed to deliver greater impact for Miami-Dade.
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BACK TO SCHOOL DRIVE
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United for a Strong Start
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A new school year brings new possibilities, and every child deserves to start it ready to learn.
Employee volunteers from United Way Miami partner and sponsor organizations assembled backpacks filled with essential school supplies for more than 1,200 children and families.
With school supplies costing up to $150 per child, the annual drive helped ease a significant expense for families while giving students the tools to begin the year prepared and confident.
The backpacks were distributed to children and families served by the United Way Miami Center for Excellence in Early Education, Center for Financial Stability, MISSION UNITED, Early Head Start–Child Care Partnership and nonprofit partners throughout Miami-Dade.
Thank you to the volunteers, donors and partners who came together to make this strong start possible.
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UNITED IN SERVICE
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LINC Shows Up for Miami's Youth
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Together, we created a day filled with connection, encouragement and meaningful moments for youth served by Miami Bridge Youth & Family Services.
During LINC Service Day, members of United Way Miami’s young professional community came together through teamwork, games, creativity and shared experiences designed to uplift and support teens navigating difficult circumstances.
As the only 24-hour emergency shelter for teens in Miami-Dade, Miami Bridge provides critical support for youth facing homelessness, abuse, family conflict and instability. Through this partnership, United Way Miami remains committed to helping young people feel seen, supported and empowered as they build confidence, resilience and hope for the future.
The day was a powerful reminder of what can happen when people come together with purpose and that the impact of service can last long after an event ends.
United, we are building brighter futures for Miami’s youth. LINC is a community of dynamic individuals age 30 and younger who are passionate about building a stronger Miami.
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Standing With Those Who Served
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10 Years of MISSION UNITED
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For 10 years, MISSION UNITED has stood alongside veterans, service members and their families, helping connect them with resources and opportunities as they transition from military service to civilian life.
This year, we are celebrating that decade of impact through the stories of veterans who have found new ways to serve, lead and thrive in our community.
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One recent example is Coast Guard veteran Scott, whose journey from military service to becoming a DJ and Miami Dade College professor was recently featured by Local 10.
His story is a powerful reminder that a military career may end, but purpose does not.
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MISSION UNITED helps veterans discover that next chapter by connecting them to the support and opportunities they need to pursue their goals.
Our community is united behind those who have served. As we celebrate 10 years, we remain committed to helping veterans find their next mission.
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WE COLLABORATE
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Talent Strong Miami: Turning Data Into Action
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What if 1,555 more Miami-Dade students continued their education beyond high school?
New research suggests the potential impact could reach $1.24 billion in social and economic value.
On September 2, United Way Miami and the Florida College Access Network brought together education leaders, community organizations, employers and partners for Talent Strong Miami, a community convening focused on turning that opportunity into collective action.
As the backbone organization for Graduate Miami-Dade, United Way Miami is helping align community efforts around increasing postsecondary enrollment, persistence and attainment.
The work supports the Blueprint for Impact, advancing education and economic mobility while helping strengthen Miami-Dade’s future talent pipeline.
Postsecondary success is about more than earning a degree; it’s about creating pathways to greater financial stability, opportunity and a stronger local economy. When more young people succeed, our entire community benefits.
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COMMUNITY PARTNERS
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Building Pathways to Economic Mobility
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United Way Miami joined longtime partner Goodwill South Florida to celebrate the opening of the Goodwill Industries South Florida Construction Workforce Lab, a new space designed to connect residents with training and career opportunities in high-demand industries like construction and HVAC.
The ribbon cutting was especially meaningful as United Way Miami and Goodwill mark more than six decades of partnership. Through UpSkill Miami, United Way Miami has invested $500,000 in Goodwill’s workforce development programs, helping create pathways from training and credentials to employment and economic mobility.
The new Lab comes at a critical time, with 56% of Miami-Dade households falling below the ALICE threshold and facing challenges covering the basic cost of living. By expanding access to skills and meaningful employment, Goodwill and United Way Miami are helping build a stronger workforce and stronger families.
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RESILIENT COMMUNITIES
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United We Prepare: Ready Together
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Through United We Prepare, United Way Miami continues its more than 30-year commitment to disaster preparedness, response and recovery. This year, we are expanding that work through community-based CLEO workshops and preparedness toolkits, giving residents practical information and resources before disaster strikes.
These efforts are part of a broader commitment to building resilient communities, because it takes a village to weather a storm. We aim to strengthen the resources and support networks that help families prepare, respond, recover and thrive.
United Way Miami also serves as the county’s ESF-15 partner at the Emergency Operations Center and leads Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, helping coordinate support throughout all phases of disaster management.
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#StrongerMiami
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United Way Miami · The Ansin Building · 3250 SW 3rd Ave · Miami, FL 33129-2712 · USA
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