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When hundreds of our volunteers recently gathered for the MLK Day of Service to honor the great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I was reminded of something Dr. King once said: "Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?"
This thought affirmed why I am here: to serve United Way Miami and our community. Service is a core value of this organization, and its impact creates an amazing ripple effect, empowering communities touched by the spirit of giving back.
Many in our region are currently facing hardship, something I can certainly relate to. Growing up in a single-parent household wasn’t easy, but it did instill a sense of responsibility and drive in me. In fact, it was my mother who showed me the importance of acting as a “servant leader,” a role that has the power to transform communities.
I am so grateful to each and every volunteer who lends us their valuable time and I know this will increase even further in 2024. It is incredibly encouraging to witness how dedicated our community is to making a difference.
The momentum that comes from 100 years of service is powerful and our mission has never been clearer. Leveraging the time and talent of our devoted volunteers not only uplifts those around us but also contributes to the strength and resilience of our communities.
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Symeria T. Hudson
President and CEO, United Way Miami
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Volunteers Unite at MLK Day of Service
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On Saturday, January 13, nearly 100 committed volunteers from United Way Miami’s giving communities and corporate sponsors convened to pay tribute to the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through a day of impactful service and community. Volunteers collaborated on a diverse range of beautification connection projects aimed at enhancing the Children’s Home Society of Florida (CHS). From painting and decorating, to furniture building, to cleaning and landscaping, helping hands worked together to uplift the overall ambiance of CHS and provide a safe and comfortable environment for the children and families they serve.
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Celebrating Symeria: 2024 Influential Business Women Honoree
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Congratulations to our incredible President and CEO, Symeria Hudson, on being recognized as one of the South Florida Business Journal's 2024 Influential Business Women. Symeria's leadership embodies the essence of innovation, inspiration and impact. As we celebrate her achievement, we look forward to Symeria's continued guidance as we embark on our 100th year of serving Miami-Dade County. Her dedication to excellence and community involvement truly sets her apart. Here's to Symeria – a beacon of strength and inspiration for us all.
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2024 Tocqueville Society Grand Reception Honorees
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United Way Miami Tocqueville Award for Outstanding Philanthropy: The Grant Family
We are so happy to have the Grant family play such an integral role at United Way Miami. Supporters of our causes for more than 30 years, the Grant family embodies the spirit of generosity. Gerald C. Grant, Jr., Jennifer Adger Grant, their daughter, Jasmin Grant, and their son, Gerald Grant III, have demonstrated their unwavering dedication to United Way Miami through service, volunteerism and charitable giving.
The Grants’ journey with United Way started with Jennifer and Gerald in the early 1990s, marking a pivotal moment when their philanthropic giving began to take shape. In 2010, Jennifer and Gerald elevated their giving commitment by joining the esteemed Tocqueville Society. Since then, the Grants’ involvement has only deepened, showcasing leadership and service that have left a lasting impact on the community and the organization.
United Way Miami Next-Gen Philanthropist Award: Austin Hollo
United Way Miami Young Leaders embody what it means to be an active changemaker in the community. One Young Leader emerges as a remarkable figure, etching a prominent mark in philanthropy and community involvement. Austin Hollo is our first-ever recipient of the Next-Gen Philanthropist Award.
Blending the best of his business expertise with his unwavering commitment to community service, Hollo is a cornerstone of the United Way Miami family.
Hollo’s dedication to service is evident in his role as a member of the United Way Miami Board of Directors and Young Leaders Executive Committee, where he served as its past Chair of Professional Development.
Hollo embodies the spirit of positive change and commitment, making him a United Way champion. He continues to leave an impressive and lasting mark, highlighting that the true measure of success lies not just in personal achievements but in the impact that we leave on the lives of others.
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Everyone’s a Winner at The Amerant Bank 5K
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On Sunday, January 21, runners, walkers and fitness enthusiasts teamed up for the third annual Amerant Bank 5K in support of United Way Miami. With more than 800 runners registered, nearly $90,000 was raised for nearly 100 quality programs, more than 60 impact partners and 14 initiatives strengthening the education, financial stability and health of Miami-Dade County.
The race began bright and early at Coral Gables City Hall, taking participants through the City Beautiful before ending with a festive post-race party.
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UpSkill Miami Construction Trade Programs in Full Swing
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United Way Miami recently embarked on a significant expansion to UpSkill Miami, our transformative workforce development fund, by establishing a commitment with Florida International University (FIU) and Florida Memorial University (FMU) to assist more than 250 individuals with construction trades training, with a focus on electrical.
It is an exciting time for this crucial initiative, with FIU's third cohort and FMU's first cohort getting underway with program orientations. The addition of construction trades training creates a pathway to access high-demand jobs and helps meet the demand for skilled professionals in this sector.
Forging powerful partnerships with some of the largest employers in our region will help create targeted workforce development initiatives and catalyze economic mobility within the community.
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Championing Early Education
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Demo School Families Thrive with United Way's Pantry
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Grocery costs have been steadily increasing, placing a strain on many families in our region. By partnering with Feeding South Florida to create a school-based food pantry for families at our Demonstration School, United Way Miami’s Center for Excellence in Early Education (CFE) has emerged as an invaluable resource at a time when parents need it most.
"The food pantry has been a lifesaver for me. The price of food has been rising, and because of this, sometimes I have wondered where the next meal will come from." shared parent Jasmin.
As we witness the positive outcomes and the direct link between access to nutritious meals and healthy growth and brain development, it reaffirms the CFE's unwavering commitment to nurturing and promoting mental and physical development for children and the overall well-being of the families we serve.
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Community Spotlight
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Manuela Aulestia
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Manuela Aulestia is a local high school student who has demonstrated outstanding support for United Way Miami’s annual drives. Manuela began volunteering during our Back-to-School Drive, spending hours tediously counting our inventory of pencils, notebooks and crayons. She soon proved herself to be a reliable hard worker, brimming with positive energy and always with a smile on her face. Next, Manuela supported the Thanksgiving Drive by counting thousands of Thanksgiving products, leaving a lasting impression. She has joined us for every volunteer event since, including the Thanksgiving Drive Prep Day, Thanksgiving Drive Packing Day and Holiday Drive Prep Day.
Reflecting on her experience, Manuela shared, "You never realize how much impact you can make in just one day until you spend a day trying to make it happen; I learned that with United Way Miami."
Manuela’s efforts have been a huge part of the success of United Way Miami’s annual drives, and we couldn’t have done it without her!
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Events & Volunteer Opportunities
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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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