Message from the
Honorable Eileen Higgins
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Advocating for Workers and Economic Prosperity
in Tallahassee and Washington, DC
Living Wage Preemption
It’s no surprise that Miami-Dade County is one of the most expensive places to live in the United States, especially now. Median home prices after the pandemic have risen to more than half a million dollars a year and rent for a one-bedroom apartment is about $2,000 a month. Arguably, because of the rising cost of living, the affordable housing crisis is deepening in South Florida.
That’s why in January I made two important trips to Tallahassee to advocate against a bill that would preempt the County’s living wage ordinance from being applied to County contracts, and instead force upon local governments the state’s $10 minimum wage requirement. If we just look at our airport and port workers, over 20,000 residents would be immediately affected by this change. For over 20 years, residents employed through County contracts have received decent wages and have had access to health insurance – and we would like it to stay that way.
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Infrastructure Leads to Economic Prosperity
With the construction of the SMART Plan South Corridor Rapid Transit project, Miami-Dade County is already seeing the effects of how public transit investment is spurring affordable housing developments and moving residents towards economic opportunity. On February 9, I testified before the U.S. House Select Committee on Economic Disparity and Fairness in Growth to talk about the importance of physical infrastructure investment in creating long-term economic prosperity.
My message was clear. Miami-Dade County is eager to work with federal partners on infrastructure projects that will create literal paths to prosperity. Strong intergovernmental partnerships that prioritize local decision making and the removal of bureaucratic barriers to accessing federal funds are how we speed up implementation of critical infrastructure in our community, like expanding public transit that connects low-income residents to good jobs and building affordable housing near those transit lines.
As local governments, we are responsible for building much of the nation’s infrastructure, but we can’t do it alone. After my presentation in Washington, there is a renewed hope that these federal investments will build the critical infrastructure America needs to remain competitive and connect more people with opportunities to achieve the American Dream.
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The 2022 Keon Hardemon
Small Business Grant Program is now available
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Small Business owners in District 3 may apply for the Keon Hardemon Small Business Grant Program. Business owners who meet the eligibility requirements can receive up to $10,000. Grants awarded may be used to purchase equipment, supplies, advertising, marketing, inventory, building liability insurance, security systems, local or state licenses, software, rental deposits, and minor renovations.
Applications will be accepted Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022, through 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 3, 2022. The qualifications for the Keon Hardemon Small Business Grant Program are as follows:
- Business must be in District 3
- Business has been in operation for at least two consecutive years
- Must have (7) full-time employees or less
- A physical address is required
- Must be a for-profit business
- Home-based businesses can apply
- If approved, the business must attend a mandatory grant recipient workshop
The application deadline is 4 p.m. on March 3, 2022.
Completed original applications can be hand delivered or emailed.
Hand Delivery:
Office of Miami-Dade County Commissioner Keon Hardemon, District 3 Office
Joseph Caleb Center
5400 NW 22nd Ave., Ste. 700
Miami, FL 33142
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Please refer to the Keon Hardemon Small Business Grant Program application for all qualifications and requirements to apply for grant funding. Applications are available online at www.miamidade.gov/district03. Printed applications are available for pick-up from the District 3 office upon request. For more information, please call 305-636-2331.
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"In The Company of Women"
awards event is back!
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After being cancelled in 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 33rd Annual "In the Company of Women" awards event will be held on March 10th at the Coral Gables Country Club. The awards honor outstanding women in various fields.
Proceeds from "In the Company of Women" awards will be used to benefit the Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade, providing services and programs throughout Miami-Dade County Parks.
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The 31st Annual Asian Culture Festival
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We are back! The 31st Annual Asian Culture Festival will be held at beautiful Tropical Park in Miami on Saturday, March 5th and Sunday, March 6th from 10am to 5pm. The Asian Culture Festival promotes the importance of cultural diversity in building a vibrant, prosperous and healthy community. For ticket information, please go on www.asianculturefestival.net. Hope to see you all there!
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"ACE Talk" celebrates its first anniversary and Year of the Tiger
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On Sunday, February 13th, the Asian Caribbean Exchange Talk Radio Show, "ACE Talk", celebrated its first anniversary and the Year of the Tiger with cultural presentations at the Asian Community Resources Center in Miami Gardens. Friends, family and dedicated listeners enjoyed a delicious dinner, Lion Dance and Thai Classical Dance before a live, remote broadcast of ACE Talk at 9pm. Congratulations to hosts Winnie Tang, Josephine Gordy, Jeannie Wong and Joshua Ho. Please tune in every Sunday, from 9 pm - 10 pm, EDT, on WAVS 1190 AM / 107.9 FM or watch live on www.ACETalk.org.
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Miami-Dade CRB CJLE Committee discusses Racers and Drifters, Spring Break, and more
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The Community Relations Board held its monthly Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement Committee meeting in partnership with the North Miami Police Department. Topics of discussion included leadership changes in the Miami-Dade Police Department, Racers and Drifters, Dirt Bike Takeovers, and Spring Break 2022.
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Miami-Dade CRB
partners with Commissioner Jean Monestime
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The CRB partnered with Commissioner Jean Monestime to host a street naming ceremony to honor the legacy of Jada Page, an 8-year-old killed by gun violence in August 2016.
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Miami-Dade Goodwill Ambassadors at the
Life Time Miami Marathon
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The Miami-Dade Goodwill Ambassadors were deployed on February 6th to assist with the Life Time Miami Marathon event.
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Free in-home HIV Testing Kits
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The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County offers free resources available to the community such as in-home HIV testing kits, where individuals can find out their HIV status in 20 minutes, as well as order condom packages to be delivered to their home. Learn about these and other resources at www.TestMiami.org. Together, we can end the HIV epidemic!
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Welcoming Afghan Immigrants
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Communities across the country are stepping up to welcome Afghan immigrants. In this Miami-Dade Minute, see how #OurCounty is providing a warm welcome to them and assisting in resettlement efforts.
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School crossing guards needed
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The Miami-Dade Police Department is accepting applications for school crossing guards through March 6. The part-time position consists of 20-hour work weeks and a work schedule that runs according to the Miami-Dade public school calendar. For more information call 305-471-1716.
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Miami-Dade County monitoring COVID-19
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Miami-Dade County officials continue to work with local, state, and federal agencies to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic.
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For more information and updates on COVID-19, visit the following sites:
Miami-Dade County COVID-19 Vaccine Information:
or call (305) 614 -2014
Miami-Dade County Updates Regarding Coronavirus:
Miami-Dade County COVID-19 Testing Locations and Information:
Miami-Dade County #WeCanWeWill public education campaign:
Miami-Dade County COVID-19 Relief and Assistance:
United Way of Miami-Dade COVID-19 Resource Center:
Florida Department of Health COVID-19 Updates:
CDC COVID-19 Information:
Get help paying your light bill:
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COMMUNITY ADVOCACY
BOARD MEETINGS UPDATES
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**There are several vacancies on the following Advisory Boards. If you are interested in serving on one of our boards, contact the respective board Program Director listed below.
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Chairperson: Dr. Li Gurau
Tuesday, March 14, 2022, at 6 p.m.
Location: Stephen P. Clark Center
111 NW 1st Street, Miami, FL 33128
County Commission Chambers
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Chairperson: Pierre Rutledge
Wednesday, March 2, 2022 at 6 p.m.
Location: North Dade Regional Library
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Chairperson: Monica Interian
Wednesday, March 23, 2022 at 6 p.m.
Virtual Workshop Event
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Chairperson: John Quick, Esq.
Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at 2 p.m.
Location: TBA
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Chairperson: Miguel A. De Grandy, Esq.
Wednesday, March 30, 2022 at 10 a.m.
Location: Stephen P. Clark Government Center
111 NW 1st Street, Miami, Florida 33128
County Commission Chambers
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Domestic Violence Hotline, call 1-800-500-1119
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Chairperson: Paul Hunt
Thursday, March 31, 2022 at 10 a.m.
Location: Stephen P. Clark Government Center
111 NW 1st Street, Miami, Florida 33128
Conference Room 18-2
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Miami-Dade County has the largest population in the State of Florida of individuals 60+ years old. With a County population that totals 2.7 million, more than 435,000 of the total population is made up of those 62+. On May 1, 2018 the Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved Ordinance 18-49 creating the Miami-Dade County Elder Affairs Advisory Board.
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Report elder abuse at 1-800-962-2873
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Dr. Antonio Jorge Social and Economic Development Council (SEDC)
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Chairperson: Dr. Raul Moncarz
Friday, March 25th, 2:00 p.m.
Location: Stephen P. Clark Government Center
111 NW 1st Street, Miami, FL 33128
Conference Room 18-3
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Chairperson: Jose Diaz
Tuesday, March 8th at 6:00 p.m.
Location: Westchester Regional Library
9445 Coral Way, Miami, FL 33165
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Chairperson: Pastor Juan Barek
Thursday, March 10, 2022 at 5 p.m.
Location: Miami-Dade County Main Library
101 W Flagler Street Miami, Florida 33128
Auditorium Room
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Chairperson: Patricia Hernandez, Esq.
Wednesday, March 2, 2022 at 3 p.m.
Location: Stephen P. Clark Government Center
111 NW 1st Street, Miami, Florida 33128
County Commission Chambers
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South Dade Black History Center Advisory Board
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Welcoming our new advisory board to the Advocacy family! More information will be provided soon. Feel free to email Ms. Diara Zeigler if you have any questions regarding this board.
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Stephen P. Clark Government Center
111 NW 1st Street Suite 1034
Miami, Florida 33128
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Sincerely,
Laura Morilla, Executive Director
Office of Community Advocacy
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Office of Community Advocacy
| 305.375.5730 | laura.morilla@miamidade.gov | www.miamidade.gov/advocacy/home.asp
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