Second Chance Event

Evans High School Tour

On May 5th, I toured Evans High School in Orlando, a Children's Home Society Community Partnership School. This is an amazing program that addresses students' holistic needs, recognizing their unique challenges and opportunities. I hope the School District of Palm Beach County replicates! Educating and serving the whole student and their family will lead to success.

I want to thank PBCSD Superintendent Mike Burke and PBC School Board Member Alex Ayala for joining me on this visit, and it was also a wonderful chance to tour with my Junior League sister, Orange County School Board Member Karen Castor Dentel.

And a big thank you to Orange County Public Schools and Evans HS Principal Rolando Bailey for sharing your day with us! 

Kelley Dunn Day

On May 3rd, it was my honor to welcome WPTV anchor Kelley Dunn to the Governmental Center for a proclamation declaring May 25, 2022, as Kelley Dunn Day. A longtime Wellington resident, Kelley has been a local media institution at WPTV for over thirty-six years. At the end of May, she will retire from her distinguished career, having won six Emmy Awards, anchored over over 20,000 newscasts, and made a tremendous contribution to our community through her trustworthy reporting and volunteer efforts. I thank Kelley for all of her wonderful work, and wish her a fulfilling retirement in the mountains of North Carolina!

Proclamations

On May 3rd, I sponsored other important proclamations. First was National Nurses Week. From May 6-12, we reflect on the important contributions that nurses make to provide safe, high-quality health care. We recognize their role as patient advocates, the essential role they play in the lives of residents from birth to the end of life, and their central position in the function of our health care system. Furthermore, their incredible, tireless work during the pandemic is greatly appreciated. 

Next, I sponsored Hidden Heroes Month. This proclamation recognizes the important work that the 5.5 million military and veteran caregivers do. These caregivers, who are parents, spouses, siblings, and friends, assist our wounded warriors with tasks such as bathing, feeding, dressing and caring for grievous injuries, administrating medications, providing emotional support, caring for the family and the home, and working outside the home to earn essential income. Through this proclamation, we recognize the vital, challenging work these hidden heroes perform, and we graciously thank them for it. 

Finally, I sponsored Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. As there has been a national spike in hate crimes and racially motivated discrimination and harassment against the AAPI community, this proclamation is significant. The APPI community has lived and worked in the United States for over 200 years, making heavy contributions to our economy, culture, education, politics, arts, literature, science, and technological developments, despite institutional and systemic injustices designed to prevent and limit these achievements. Residents are encouraged to recognize and celebrate the culture, heritage, and incredible contributions of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. 

Pictured (l-r): Jessica Clasby, Commissioner McKinlay, Shirley Koo, and Takeata King Pang.

Water Main Project in Pahokee

At the May 3rd County Commission meeting, the Commission approved a work authorization to replace existing water mains and force mains along SR 15/US 441 from south of Shirley Dr. to east of Main Street in Pahokee. This is a $570,830 project that will be a significant infrastructure improvement in the area. 

Rachael Bonlarron/West Palm 100 Scholarship - Deadline May 15th

"This scholarship is designed to support young women who are committed to their education, their community and their careers. Students completing their senior year and who will be attending either Palm Beach State College or Florida Atlantic University are the focus of this scholarship. We are looking for students who are planning to continue their education while working to help financially support themselves through school by working part time. West Palm 100 understands the challenges this creates for students and that is why we are committed to supporting those students who are most dedicated to continuing their education while working to financially support those efforts."

For additional details on this $500 scholarship, including eligibility criteria, visit here.

DEADLINE APPROACHING

Owner Occupied Housing Rehabilitation assistance funding is available for income eligible homeowners, residing in the unincorporated area of Palm Beach County, with substantial rehabilitation to correct code violations or items that will become a code violation. NOTE: Applicant must provide a statement on how their household was financially impacted by COVID. PROPERTY’S ASSESSED VALUE CANNOT EXCEED $352,371.

ARPA Owner Occupied Housing Rehabilitation Program applications will be available online by visiting the website at https://pbcgov.com/HED until Friday, May 13, 2022 at 11:59 pm (or until 70 applications have been submitted). Applications will be processed on a first submitted, first qualified, first served basis, subject to funding availability.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: ALL applicants are required to attend a Virtual Mandatory Orientation prior to application submittal. Interested parties may register at https://survey.pbcgov.com/s3/HED-Owner-Occupied-Housing-Rehabilitation. 

For additional information, please contact:

Palm Beach County Department of Housing and Economic Development

Mortgage and Housing Investments Division

Telephone: (561) 233-3600

Email: HEDverify@pbcgov.org

In Closing

For rental assistance, click here: Emergency Rental Assistance Program