News Releases
Published by United Way
on 12/12/2011
Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod recently partnered with United Way of Miami-Dade for its annual firm-wide volunteer project, Bilzin Sumberg Cares. The law firm gathered more than 115 of its employees to help revitalize Belafonte TACOLCY Center, Inc. in Liberty City.
Throughout the day volunteers painted the interior classrooms and exterior of the center, replaced old ceiling tiles and added vibrant colors to the...
basketball courts, providing the center with a rejuvenated look. The most important task volunteers were faced with was portraying a symbolic Ndebele-themed mural throughout the exterior of the center, which only ladies could help paint. Artist Wanda Paulette Harris designed the distinct mural, whose origins lie with the Ndebele women of South Africa and their desire to assert their individuality and culture.
Marshall R. Pasternack, Bilzin Sumberg Cares Chairman, was on site along with Allison D. Austin, CEO of TACOLCY, to thank the volunteers for their efforts. United Way’s Carla Crossno and Dania Gorriz congratulated Bilzin Sumberg staff and leadership on their continued support of United Way over the years. As an added treat, a few TACOLCY staff members and scholars performed a Harambee dance for the volunteers.
TACOLCY’s Sports Development program is funded by United Way and is focused on promoting healthy lifestyles through team and individual sports, recreational activities as well as nutrition education. The program offers basketball, football, baseball, board games and an in-house client referral to other programming. The center as a whole is dedicated to leadership, education, prevention, intervention, recreation, family development and providing a site for leisure and safety for the community’s at-risk youth.
Published by United Way
on 12/8/2011
United Way of Miami-Dade and FamilyWize are encouraging the community to take five minutes to help five uninsured or underinsured people get the medicine they need this holiday season. In Miami-Dade, 30 percent of adults do not have health insurance and one out of four have trouble paying for prescriptions. You can make a difference. Simply take five minutes of your time to either print and pass out, email or share via social media...
five (or more) FamilyWize Prescription Drug Discount Cards with your colleagues, friends, family or neighbors. Ask them to pass it along if they don’t need it.
The card is free of charge - there are no age restrictions, income restrictions or limit on how many times a single card may be used. It can be used by people who do not have health insurance or for medicines that are not covered by their insurance plan. And, more than 600 pharmacies in Miami-Dade accept the card.
Your five-minute gift is an act of kindness that will help people save an average of 30 percent on their prescription drugs.
Ready to print, use and share the card with your friends and family, download the pdf version of the card here or call (305) 646-7086 for more information on the FamilyWize Prescription Drug Discount Card. Local businesses and employers can also call to request cards in bulk. To lookup prescription drug prices and find participating pharmacies, visit www.FamilyWize.org.
Published by United Way
on 12/2/2011
Left to right: Jose Soto of State Farm Insurance; Laura Fernandez, Anthony Bonaventure and Ana Martinez of United Way of Miami-Dade; and State Farm agent, Manny Miranda
During a recent financial literacy town hall meeting, Jose Soto of State Farm Bank public affairs, presented Ana Martinez of United Way of Miami-Dade a...
$50,000 gift to support the work of the United Way Center for Financial Stability (the Center).
Univision and State Farm Bank hosted the “Cuentas Claras” town hall meeting for people interested in learning how to improve their financial situation. The Spanish-language community forum was held at Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus and was free to the public.
“In today’s economy, everyone is concerned about finances” says Chris Cummins, State Farm Florida Zone Manager. “We asked Miami how we could help and the community responded by pointing us towards foreclosure prevention programs. This $50,000 grant from State Farm Bank will support the United Way Center for Financial Stability providing foreclosure prevention services in Miami-Dade. We’re proud to support the Center, and hope that these funds will assist in connecting more people with the resources they need.”
United Way responds to emerging needs and transforms people's lives, making Miami-Dade a better place for all. One of its goals is to help working families and individuals pave a path to financial independence. The Center is a key strategy to achieve this goal. It provides working individuals and families with a full range of services and support – from financial coaching to free tax preparation and benefits enrollment to employment assistance and credit counseling. South Florida Urban Ministries is the Center’s operator; Bank of America is the founding partner.
During the first two years of operations, more than 2,800 clients have been served, and more than 1,000 clients have accessed one-on-one services, such as free tax preparation and budget counseling.
Each month the Center hosts a variety of financial education seminars, trainings and workshops open to the community. To see our monthly calendar, visit www.miamifinancialstability.org or call 305-688-3551.
Published by United Way
on 12/1/2011
Today, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez read to a pre-school class at the United Way Center for Excellence in Early Education in support of early literacy. For the story hour, he chose: Clifford The Firehouse Dog by Norman Bridwell and At the Firehouse by Anne Rockwell.
He read as part of the United Way Volunteer Reader Program, a pilot program that consists of 45 volunteers that share an hour of story time...
each week with nearly 600 children in 39 pre-K classrooms throughout Miami-Dade. The program is focused on building early literacy skills and instilling a love of reading.
“The United Way Volunteer Reader Program is a great way for residents to get involved with their community,” said Mayor Gimenez. “Promoting literacy and encouraging our youngest residents to read is a true win-win and will have a lasting impact.”
Research shows that children who learn to read well at an early age will not only read more independently, but also achieve more in math, social studies and science. They are also more likely to graduate from high school and pursue higher education. Investing in them pays off: the ROI includes higher graduation rates, better job skills, increased homeownership and less chance of criminal activities.
To learn more about United Way’s Volunteer Reader Program, make a pledge to read to children, donate a book and/or volunteer as a reader for phase two of the Volunteer Reader Program, visit www.unitedwaymiami.org/VolunteerReaderProgram.
About the United Way Center for Excellence in Early Education
The United Way Center for Excellence in Early Education is an innovative learning, teaching, and training initiative dedicated to elevating the quality of early care and education in Miami-Dade and beyond. The Center models proven best practices, and shares those practices with adult learners including parents, educators, and child care providers. The Center also works with business leaders and lawmakers to raise the standards of early childhood education, and support sustainable and lasting change. For more information, visit www.unitedwaycfe.org.
Published by United Way
on 11/18/2011
From left to right: Sheryl Lemon, Jacquie O’Malley and Harve Mogul of United Way of Miami-Dade; Maria Johnston of AT&T; Francesca Borbon and Anthony Bonaventure of United Way of Miami-Dade
Maria Johnston, regional director for external affairs for AT&T, presented a $75,000 check to Harve Mogul, president and CEO of United Way of Miami-Dade. The gift...
represents AT&T’s annual corporate donation in support of United Way’s work in education, financial stability and health – the building blocks of a good life. By investing in United Way, AT&T and its employees are working together to help create a more educated, prosperous and healthy Miami-Dade.
“AT&T and our employees have a 135 year history of building stronger communities anchored in the knowledge that people matter to each other, to our communities, and to our company. This belief goes to the core of our business to provide our communities with the most innovative products and services along with investing our time and money in organizations like United Way of Miami-Dade,” says Maria Johnston, AT&T Florida Regional Director. “Our workforce, our business, and the communities that we serve are all stronger as a result and are a better place for all of us to live and raise our families.”
The corporate gift is in addition to contributions generated by employees of AT&T and its bargaining units. Last year, AT&T’s combined donation to United Way – corporate, employees and bargaining units – totaled almost $500,000.
“AT&T is a valued partner in this community and continues to lead by example,” Mogul, said. “AT&T’s generosity will be felt throughout the community by young children, older adult and struggling families alike – all whose lives are enhanced by this kind of caring.”
About AT&TAT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company and
one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation’s fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile broadband and emerging 4G capabilities, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T │DIRECTV brands. The company’s suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising.