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As we kick off our annual community campaigns, I’m reminded of the incredible impact we create when we come together—both in times of need and in moments of opportunity. At United Way Miami, our mission has always been to connect people in need with people who can help, and that commitment is reflected in everything we do.
Both Hurricane Milton and Helene’s impact on Florida led us to activate Operation Helping Hands, ensuring that families received essential resources.
United Way Miami is the trusted partner for Miami-Dade County’s Office of Emergency Management. When we received a call from the county to assist in providing food for nearly 200 people at two local shelters, we immediately engaged our community partners. Within hours, our team secured hundreds of meals from various organizations, demonstrating the power of unity in action. It’s a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we unite for a common cause.
Our work and our impact go beyond responding to crises. Through our Economic Mobility pillar, we provide training and career pathways in high-demand industries. Recently, I had the privilege of speaking at the FIU Construction Trades graduation, where more than 100 UpSkill Miami graduates stood ready to transform their lives and create new opportunities for themselves and their families.
As we move forward, our annual campaigns remain essential in driving our mission. With the support of more than 80 organizations, generous donors and dedicated volunteers, we create lasting change. Together, we are impacting the lives of more than 187,000 individuals annually—continuing to build a stronger, more resilient Miami for all.
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Symeria T. Hudson
President and CEO, United Way Miami
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Celebrate 100 Years of Impact with United Way Young Leaders at our Build Your Own Brunch
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United Way Miami’s centennial celebration continues during our 8th Annual Build Your Own Brunch (BYOB) hosted by United Way Young Leaders! Under the guidance of Miami’s top chefs, guests will create a delectable three-course brunch while enjoying unlimited wine, spirits and cocktails.
Between courses, join the excitement of our live auction featuring exclusive foodie experiences, private dining and luxury travel packages. All proceeds support United Way Miami’s efforts to elevate lives through our CORE Four pillars: Health & Wellbeing, Education, Resilient Communities and Economic Mobility.
Be part of this unforgettable event as we celebrate United Way Young Leaders! For 100 years, we’ve been right HERE—let’s continue making a positive impact that lasts.
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Bring Joy to Families This Holiday Season: Support Our Thanksgiving & Holiday Drives
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The holiday season is a time for celebration, togetherness and generosity but for many in our community, it can also be a time of uncertainty.
This year, through both our annual Thanksgiving and Holiday drives, we aim to provide more than 1,000 Thanksgiving meal kits and holiday gifts to local families.
Your support— through sponsorship, donations or gift contributions—will help brighten the holidays for those who need it most. Let’s make this season unforgettable for our community.
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Hispanic Heritage Month: Spotlighting Leaders Shaping Our Community
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This Hispanic Heritage Month, we proudly celebrated the outstanding Hispanic/Latinx leaders from our partner agencies who are driving impactful change across Miami-Dade. Locally, 52% of Hispanic households are either living in poverty or just one emergency away from it. These households meet the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) criteria, meaning that despite working hard, they still struggle to afford basic necessities. Last year, through our collaboration with these leaders and organizations, we helped 7,176 children access early education, supported 107,919 people through financial stability programs and offered health services to 43,426 residents.
• Health and Wellbeing: Susan Rubio Rivera, Founder and Executive Director, MUJER Inc.
• Education: Alex Rodriguez-Roig, President, Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade
• Resilient Communities: Paco Vélez, President and CEO, Feeding South Florida
• Economic Mobility: Irenaida (Ire) Diaz, President and CEO, Advocacy Network on Disabilities
In our community nearly 500,000 households fall within the ALICE population and through the support of our 60 agency partners we are creating opportunities for more families to thrive.
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United Way Miami Impact Summit: Connecting Communities and Creating Solutions
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On Monday, September 23, United Way Miami gathered community leaders, advocates and experts for its Impact Summit, a collaborative event addressing some of Miami-Dade County’s most complex and urgent challenges. Superintendent José Dotres of Miami Dade Public Schools shared exciting updates on the district’s Mental Health Support Pilot Program, currently active in 10 schools and set to expand, bringing vital mental health services to even more students and their families in need.
Key participants included Patrick Morris and Cathy Burgos from Miami-Dade County, Gregory A. Haile from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Dr. Chris Ghaemmaghami from Jackson Health System and Yian Perrin from CareerSource South Florida. Together, they highlighted the strength of collaboration and explored innovative strategies to advance health and wellbeing, education and economic mobility for our residents.
The Impact Summit served as a powerful reminder of the progress we’ve made through collaboration and a call to action to keep pushing forward. United Way Miami and its partners remain committed to supporting our community’s most vulnerable residents.
Thanks to WSVN 7 News for highlighting this important event. View the full video below.
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Cocktails & Connections: Welcome Back Social Launches Our 'We’re HERE' Campaign!
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On Thursday, September 24, our Welcome Back Social, brought together more than 60 dedicated Board members, volunteers and community leaders to officially launch United Way Miami’s 'We’re HERE' annual campaign. This year, more than 80 organizations have pledged their support to help raise the essential funds needed to continue addressing Miami-Dade’s most pressing needs.
Among the attendees were key leaders including United Way President and CEO Symeria Hudson, Board Chair Frank Gonzalez, Campaign Co-chair Felipe Basulto and Past Board Chair Robert Sanchez, Ana VeigaMilton, Marcel Laniado and Cathy Alexander, among others. For decades, their combined leadership and dedication have been instrumental in driving our mission forward. Thank you to everyone joining us in our mission to support nearly 500,000 families in Miami-Dade who are struggling to make ends meet. Here’s to a successful campaign season ahead!
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This Election, Make an Impact: How Your Vote Can Address Homelessness and Domestic Violence in Miami-Dade County
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As we approach a pivotal election, it’s important to remember how your vote can help build a stronger, more resilient community. By voting, you have the power to influence policies that directly impact the lives of our most vulnerable residents, ensuring they receive the essential resources and support they need.
As in all elections, every item on the ballot is important. However, one decision in particular will directly impact on our efforts to address the housing crisis and the domestic violence epidemic — key components of our Economic Mobility and Health & Wellbeing pillars. Eligible voters who are residents of Miami Beach and the Village of Bal Harbour can vote for a 1% Food and Beverage Penny Surcharge that will directly support people experiencing homelessness and those fleeing domestic violence. Since 1992, Miami-Dade County’s 1% Food and Beverage Penny Surcharge has been collected at restaurants across the county (excluding Miami Beach, Bal Harbour and Surfside). Current collections have resulted in a nearly 90% reduction in unsheltered homelessness in Miami-Dade and the construction and operations of two domestic violence centers. If the proposed surcharge is adopted in Miami Beach and Bal Harbour, early estimates project an additional $10 million in revenue, which would go toward expanding housing and services for the unhoused and households fleeing domestic violence.
Important dates to keep in mind: Vote-by-mail ballots are already available, early voting begins on October 21 and Election Day is November 5.
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Step Up for Health: Join the Amerant Bank 5K and Make a Difference
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Lace up your sneakers for our Amerant Bank 5K on Sunday, January 26, as we kick off the new year and continue to celebrate our centennial! This event highlights Health and Wellbeing—one of our Core Four pillars—by promoting healthier lives for everyone in our community.
Join us in the beautiful city of Coral Gables and help support essential programs that uplift individuals and families throughout Miami-Dade. Proceeds from the 5K will directly fund vital services and programs. Let’s continue to make a lasting positive impact, one step at a time.
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Empowering Early Educators: Annual Conference for EHS-CCP
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Recently, our United Way Center for Excellence in Early Education hosted its annual Preservice Conference for Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership (EHS-CCP) teachers and staff! We welcomed 150 dedicated professionals, including teachers, center directors and specialists from our Family Engagement, Health, Intervention and Education teams.
The conference focused on empowering staff with professional development and effective strategies for a successful school year. This year, our partnership will enrich early care and education for 504 children across 19 sites in some of Miami-Dade's most underserved neighborhoods.
Through our Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership, United Way Miami remains committed to supporting young learners with comprehensive services that integrate education, health, family engagement and early intervention.
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Operation Helping Hands: Hurricane Milton & Helene Relief Efforts
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In partnership with The Miami Herald/el Nuevo Herald, United Way Miami has expanded Operation Helping Hands to support individuals and families affected by Hurricane Milton and Helene. This trusted relief effort ensures that 100% of donations are directed toward providing immediate and long-term aid to those in need.
Both Hurricane Milton and Helene made landfall in Florida, severely impacting the west-central region.
At United Way Miami, our commitment to building resilient communities guides us in moments like these. We stand ready to deliver critical resources, helping families recover and rebuild after disaster strikes. Our thoughts are with all of the individuals affected by these devastating storms.
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Upskill Miami and FIU Lay the Foundation for Graduation Success!
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On Friday, October 11, more than 100 graduates from Florida International University’s Construction Trades Program walked across the stage with certificates in hand, ready to enter one of the most in-demand industries. Through UpSkill Miami, individuals are equipped with the skills needed to secure stable employment and drive economic growth.
United Way Miami President and CEO Symeria Hudson delivered an inspiring keynote address, encouraging graduates to seize the opportunities ahead and emphasizing the importance of continuous learning in today’s workforce.
UpSkill Miami’s goal is to train more than 800 individuals not only in construction trades but also in health, aviation and energy.
Congratulations to all of our recent graduates!
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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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