United Way Miami Impact Summit: Connecting Communities and Creating Solutions
On September 23, United Way Miami brought together community leaders, experts and advocates for its Impact Summit to discuss Miami-Dade County’s most pressing and complex challenges. At the heart of United Way’s mission are it’s Core Four pillars: Health & Wellbeing, Education, Resilient Communities and Economic Mobility. These pillars drive essential initiatives that uplift local families, especially the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) population. Despite steady employment, many ALICE individuals and families struggle to meet basic needs and are in or one paycheck away from poverty.
“For 100 years, United Way Miami has been HERE, standing as a cornerstone of support for this community. We’ve remained committed to connecting people in need with people who can help, evolving and expanding our reach to meet the changing challenges of Miami-Dade,” said Symeria Hudson, president and CEO of United Way Miami. “This dedication is reflected in our partnerships with more than 60 local agencies and our investment in more than 100 programs which positively impact over 187,000 lives annually. Through these efforts, we’re making a real difference by connecting people with the resources they need to build a stronger and more resilient community.”
Participating in the summit and contributing to the thought-provoking dialogue were members including Patrick Morris and Cathy Burgos from Miami-Dade County Office of the Mayor; Gregory A. Haile from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta; Superintendent José Dotres from Miami-Dade County Public Schools; Dr. Chris Ghaemmaghami from Jackson Health System; and Yian Perrin from CareerSource South Florida. Together, they explored how cross-sector collaboration can create lasting change and emphasized the importance of partnerships in uplifting local families.
Superintendent José Dotres of Miami-Dade County Public Schools emphasized the district’s commitment to expanding mental health services as a key factor in student success.
“Through innovative partnerships, like the one we have with United Way Miami, we can bridge gaps and expand services that truly amplify our impact,” said Superintendent Dotres.
As the third-largest school district in the nation, serving more than 350,000 students, MDCPS has launched a Mental Health Support Pilot Program in 10 schools, with plans to expand across the district while partnering with 14 community agencies to provide comprehensive mental health support. The district has also introduced a Mental Health Services Parent/Student Assistance Line, available daily, to further assist families. These initiatives reflect MDCPS’s dedication to ensuring every student is supported both academically and emotionally, reinforcing the essential role of collaboration with United Way in building a healthier and more resilient community.
Leading this important work, David Zambrana and Lisa Mendelson, co-chairs of United Way Miami’s Community Impact Committee, have been instrumental in driving these initiatives forward. The Impact Summit was more than just a conversation—it showcased the power of collaboration and the progress being made. However, it also served as a reminder that the work is far from over. United Way Miami, alongside its partners, remains dedicated to ensuring that Miami-Dade’s most vulnerable residents are not just supported today but are empowered to thrive in the future.
View the local media coverage from WSVN 7 News.
