As the year ends, I am filled with gratitude as I reflect on all we’ve accomplished together. At United Way Miami, our mission to connect those who need help with those who can help remains the driving force behind everything we do.
The power of community is truly transformative and I was reminded of this when I received an invitation from Mayor Daniella Levine Cava to introduce her at her installation ceremony. It was a moment that reflected the unity and shared commitment that continues to move Miami-Dade forward.
Another highlight of 2024 was the launch of our "We’re HERE" campaign, a bold step forward in our next century of service. At its core, this campaign represents our renewed commitment to the community through our Core Four pillars: Health & Wellbeing, Education, Resilient Communities and Economic Mobility.
Through our pillars, we addressed the challenges our community faced this year including:
• Bringing together leaders, advocates and experts at our Impact Summit to create a space for candid dialogue about Miami-Dade’s most pressing challenges, from housing affordability to workforce development. These discussions sparked ideas that will guide future efforts in health, education and economic mobility.
• Providing more than 850 participants the opportunity to enroll in training programs this year through United Way Miami’s workforce initiative UpSkill Miami. Nearly 80% (approximately 680 individuals) have completed their training and close to 45% (around 380 individuals) have been placed in jobs so far, with many others actively working toward placement. These efforts are opening doors to brighter futures for families across Miami-Dade County. To help address Florida’s critical teacher shortage, we expanded into the education sector by partnering with Leslie Miller Saiontz and Achieve Miami’s Teacher Accelerator Program (TAP).
• Remaining committed to fostering strong, safe neighborhoods through our Resilient Communities pillar. In July, we joined forces with Miami-Dade County's top public and private sector organizations in the Zero Drownings Miami-Dade initiative, providing life-saving water safety skills to 20,000 children annually. Additionally, in partnership with Miami Herald/el Nuevo Herald, we activated Operation Helping Hands to support those affected by Hurricane Milton and Hurricane Helene — addressing both their immediate and long-term recovery needs.
As we look toward 2025, I am inspired by what lies ahead. Together, we will further our impact, strengthen our connections and continue building a community where every individual and family has the opportunity to succeed.
On behalf of all of United Way Miami, I wish you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season and a new year filled with hope and possibility.
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Symeria T. Hudson
President and CEO, United Way Miami
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Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season!
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Thank you for making a positive impact that lasts. Happy Holidays from your United Way family!
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Kickstart the New Year with the Amerant Bank 5K!
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Looking for a meaningful way to kick off 2025? Lace up your sneakers and take part in the Amerant Bank 5K benefiting United Way Miami on Sunday, January 26!
Celebrate our centennial with an exciting pre- and post-race experience filled with fitness, fun and community spirit in the beautiful city of Coral Gables.
All proceeds from the race will directly support United Way’s Core Four pillars—Health & Wellbeing, Education, Resilient Communities and Economic Mobility—helping impact the lives of 187,000 individuals annually.
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100 Reasons Why💙
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As we celebrate our centennial year, we reflect on the countless stories of hope, generosity and resilience that have shaped United Way Miami’s legacy. For 100 years, our supporters have inspired change, driven by a shared belief in building a stronger Miami where everyone can thrive.
The commitment of our donors, volunteers and partners has transformed lives and strengthened the fabric of our community. Each story reminds us why this work matters and why we remain dedicated to creating brighter futures for generations to come.
Here’s to 100 years of impact and the countless reasons that inspire us to continue this journey into our second century of service.
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A Season of Generosity: Thanksgiving & Holiday Drives
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This holiday season, our community truly embodied the spirit of giving through United Way Miami’s Thanksgiving and Holiday Drives. Thanks to your incredible generosity, more than 2,000 families received the resources they needed to experience the holidays with hope and joy—whether through Thanksgiving meal kits or gifts to children.
We are deeply grateful to all our supporters, sponsors and volunteers who helped make this season brighter for so many.
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Recognizing Leadership and Service in Miami-Dade
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On Wednesday, November 20, United Way Miami President and CEO Symeria Hudson attended Mayor Daniella Levine Cava's Installation Ceremony, celebrating the start of her second term as Mayor of Miami-Dade County. During the event, Symeria had the opportunity to introduce Mayor Levine Cava, alongside Madeline Pumariega, president of Miami Dade College and Rebecca Fishman Lipsey, president and CEO of The Miami Foundation.
Symeria highlighted Mayor Levine Cava’s dedication to listening, connecting and uplifting individuals across our diverse community. The evening celebrated leadership, unity and a shared commitment to improving lives throughout Miami-Dade County.
United Way is grateful for collaborating with community leaders and partners as we continue working to create opportunities and build stronger neighborhoods. Congratulations to Mayor Daniella Levine Cava as she embarks on this next chapter of service!
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Cooking Up Impact at the 8th Annual Build Your Own Brunch
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On Sunday, December 15, hundreds of guests joined United Way Miami’s Young Leaders for its 8th Annual Build Your Own Brunch (BYOB). This hands-on culinary event celebrated United Way’s centennial and raised more than $207,000 to support United Way’s mission to build a stronger Miami.
Guests teamed up with Miami’s culinary stars, Michael Beltran of the Michelin-starred Ariete and Giovanni Fesser, better known as Pastelito Papi, to create a three-course brunch highlighting the city’s rich culinary culture. The event also featured a live auction with exclusive travel, dining and entertainment experiences.
Thank you to all who joined us and made this event a success!
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Building an Age-Friendly Miami-Dade for All
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We’re proud to highlight how our Health & Wellbeing pillar transforms lives across our community. Through the Miami-Dade Age-Friendly Initiative (AFI), we’re working to create a county where people of all ages and abilities, especially older adults—can live healthy, engaged lives.
Since its launch in 2012, the AFI has brought local leaders and organizations together to address key community needs. From enhancing housing and transportation to expanding access to parks and health services, this initiative paves the way for a more inclusive, age-friendly community.
Over the past year, 43,426 individuals accessed health and wellness services through United Way Miami’s programs, furthering our mission to support and empower every member of our community.
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Advancing Excellence in Education: TB5-CAIT Graduation
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United Way Miami recently celebrated a significant achievement in our Education pillar with the graduation of the first Connecting Assessment with Intentional Teaching (CAIT) program cohort. Launched in 2019, CAIT has empowered early childhood educators in underserved neighborhoods, providing them with the tools and strategies to enhance classroom learning, engage families and sustain high-quality teaching practices. Through CAIT, educators are better equipped to shape the educational outcomes of the children in their care, making a lasting impact on their academic success and overall well-being.
Over a five-year span, 12 early learning sites successfully completed the program, gaining the skills needed to independently foster stronger educational environments. This achievement also marked the first-ever CAIT site promotions and the addition of new programs to further expand the initiative’s impact across Miami-Dade.
In collaboration with Barry University, a research team conducted a satisfaction survey during the ceremony and they will continue tracking the sustainability of these sites as they implement the Teaching for Understanding (TSG) model and GOLD® assessment tool independently.
We congratulate our CAIT graduates for their dedication and setting the stage for brighter futures in Miami-Dade!
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Making Waves Through Zero Drowning
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The first cohort of Zero Drownings Miami-Dade has already begun, with 60 children now equipped with critical water safety skills that could save their lives. This initiative, under our Resilient Communities pillar, continues to address the leading cause of death for children ages 1-9 in Miami-Dade County: drowning.
By May 2025, the program will expand to 14 cohorts, reaching 840 children and providing families with the tools they need to prevent devastating tragedies and keep their children safe. This program is about much more than swimming—it’s about building a safer, stronger community where every child can thrive.
Each lesson, each cohort, brings us closer to a future where Zero Drownings is a reality, giving parents the peace of mind they deserve. With the support of our dedicated partners, we’re creating lasting change that protects futures and helps build a safer Miami-Dade for all.
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Driving Economic Mobility Through Housing Solutions
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On Thursday, December 5, United Way Miami hosted "Bridging the Gap: Housing Affordability Solutions and Homelessness Prevention," a thought-provoking education session. Moderated by United Way’s Director of Public Policy Isabela Corzo, the event brought together local leaders and experts to tackle one of Miami-Dade’s most pressing challenges: ensuring housing stability for all.
Community advocates, including Annie Lord of Miami Homes for All, Victoria Mallette of the Homeless Trust and Delores Holley from Miami-Dade County’s Office of Housing Advocacy, led an insightful discussion on the factors driving homelessness, the growing housing affordability crisis and innovative strategies to create lasting solutions.
The session emphasized how a stable home is more than just a roof over one’s head—it’s the cornerstone of financial security and long-term opportunity.
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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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