| REPORT: |
Commissioner Gimenez introduced Ms. Christine Morin as Director of City Year of Miami.
Ms. Christine Morin, Director, City Year in Miami Area, expressed appreciation to the County Commission, and especially to Commissioner Gimenez for providing this opportunity to share the City Year program in hopes of bringing it to Miami-Dade County schools and communities. She introduced Ms. Jeanne Hernandez as Comcast representative and founding member of City Year to make a presentation.
Ms. Jeanne Hernandez, Comcast Representative, Community and Governmental Affairs Director, appeared before the Board and noted Comcast was a founding member and national partner of City Year, and had a long-standing tradition of investing back into the local communities it served through community programs and partnerships. She further noted Comcast recognized the vibrancy of a community was essential to its success and committed to work proactively with communities, using resources to enhance communities and develop leadership of young core members. Ms. Hernandez asked all City Year members between the ages of 17 and 24, present in the audience, to stand and be recognized. She also asked the County Commission to embrace the City Year program along with Comcast. Ms. Hernandez noted it was the hope of Comcast that City Year would raise about $1 million in federal dollars annually, to provide Miami-Dade County’s young citizens with many opportunities.
Following a short video presentation on City Year, Ms. Hernandez expressed appreciation to the County Commissioners for their time and effort in making Miami-Dade County a better place. She asked for their support in helping City Year become a nationwide model program.
Mr. Aaron Gouges, representing City Year, appeared before the Board and shared his experiences and achievements while participating in the City Year program.
Ms. Annie Stamps, City Year in Miami startup team member, appeared before the Board and noted, upon graduating from high school and researching many organizations, she was accepted to serve in City Year in Rhode Island. Ms. Stamps stated she jumped at the chance to come back to Miami and serve her community and was proud to be part of the City Year in Miami efforts to inspire young people to serve along with her in Miami-Dade-County.
Commissioner Gimenez acknowledged City Year as a great, volunteer-based program. He noted City Year was requesting the County Commission to sponsor a letter of support for a federal grant application and free transit passes for the 80 plus volunteers serving in Miami. Commissioner Gimenez stated he would sponsor an item that reflected both requests.
Commissioner Jordan pointed out that Greater Miami Service Corp was created based on the City Year model, and she was familiar with the City Year organization. She shared her experience with City Year recruits in New York in 1990, and indicated that City Year was a fine-tuned organization, supported by New York City, with a $10 million budget at that time. Commissioner Jordan advised that the County already provided free bus passes to the Greater Miami Service Corp students, and she would support providing free transit passes to City Year volunteers as well. She welcomed City Year to Miami, and spoke in support of Commissioner Gimenez’ recommendations, adding she did not want to lose site of the County’s existing local organization-Greater Miami Service Corp.
Commissioners Edmonson, Martinez, Rolle, Diaz, Moss, Souto and Sosa asked to be added as co-sponsors to the forthcoming item sponsored by Commissioner Gimenez that would provide City Year of Miami with a letter of support and free transit passes. |
