CAHSD employee provides exemplary service to residents

Chamarr West has been a Miami-Dade County Community Action and Human Services Department (CAHSD) team member since 2009. He serves in the role of Community Family Service Worker at the Culmer Community Resource Center in Historic Overtown. West supports CAHSD customers with case assessment and management, tax preparation and emergency assistance. He is coordinator and subject matter expert for the department's: Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP), Housing Assistance Grant (HAG), Miami Pandemic Assistance Program (MPAP), Housing Assistance Network of Dade (HAND) and CSBG COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program.

“CAHSD is the largest provider of social services in Miami-Dade County, we take seriously the importance of comprehensive and compassionate service to our community,” said Sonia Grice, CAHSD Director. “We are proud of team members like Mr. West who put their all on the line for our residents in need,” she added.

One example of West’s commitment to providing exemplary service became evident as he exhibited his management skills. At the onset of COVID-19, he was selected to manage a team at the County’s Emergency Operation Call Center. The team’s mission was to coordinate the County’s Emergency Meal Program for senior citizens. West supervised the 50-person staff from March 2020 to September 2020, seven days a week, 7:00 am – 7:00 pm. He and his team played a vital role in ensuring home meal delivery to over 85,000 seniors daily, equaling more than 22 million meals delivered. “Working on this project with this team made me realize how much we impact the lives of the many residents who depend on our services,” said West. “I could not see myself doing anything other than serving this community,” he added.

“Chamarr West is CAHSD’s ray of sunshine,” said Family and Community Services Division Director Wanda Walker. He has an Associate in Arts Degree from Miami-Dade College and is currently working on a B.A. in Criminal Justice Administration with the goal of graduating Spring 2022. West plans to use his degree to further serve the community and invest more time and effort into the community.