September 15 - October 15
Message from the
Honorable Jean Monestime
Since November 2010, it has been my pleasure to serve as the Commissioner for Miami-Dade County District 2. During my tenure as Commissioner, I have relied on the assistance of the Goodwill Ambassadors and many of the advisory boards that make up the Office of Community Advocacy, whose mission is “to promote productive community relations and cultural understanding for a better quality of life for all County residents.”

Commissioner Jean Monestime
District 2
The new Chamber Gazette  is out!
The fall issue of The Chamber Gazette is now available.  Read the latest news and information from the County Commissioners here. 
It's hurricane season
Be sure to plan and prepare ahead of time. Click the button below to visit our website for more information on how to be prepared during hurricane season.
Office of Community Advocacy
welcomes new Program Director!
The Office of Community Advocacy is pleased to welcome Teo Noboa as the Program Director for the new Interfaith Advisory Board (IAB). Teo comes to us from the Miami-Dade County Elections Department, where he managed the Department’s social media, developed informational programs for radio and television, and coordinated community outreach voter registration drives. The IAB was created by the Board of County Commissioners “to encourage greater understanding, respect, and cooperation among diverse faith-based, religious, and spiritual groups, institutions, and people in Miami-Dade County.” County Commissioners are finalizing their appointments to the IAB and the first meeting will be held soon. Teo can be reached at 305-375-5784 and at Teo.Noboa@miamidade.gov.
Asian American Advisory Board wishes you a Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!
The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival, is a traditional Chinese festival celebrated by many East and Southeast Asian countries and regions. It is the second-most important holiday after Chinese New Year with a history dating back over 3,000 years, when the Emperor of China worshipped the moon for bountiful harvests.

The festival is held on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese lunisolar calendar with a full moon at night, corresponding to mid-September to early October of the Gregorian calendar. On this day, the Chinese believe that the moon is at its brightest and fullest size, coinciding with harvest time in the middle of Autumn.

Lanterns of all sizes and shapes, are carried and displayed – symbolic beacons that light people's path to prosperity and good fortune. Mooncakes, a rich pastry typically filled with sweet-bean, egg yolk, meat or lotus-seed paste, are traditionally eaten during this festival.
Congratulations to our Asian American Advisory Board Member, Winnie Tang!
Congratulations to Winnie Tang, President and Executive Director of Florida Asian Services and Asian American Federation of Florida, for receiving a Proclamation from the Mayor and Commissioners of the City of North Miami Beach. Thanks to North Miami Beach Commissioner Paule Villard for hosting this wonderful North Miami Beach Senior Luncheon.
CRB's Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Committee, in partnership with Miami Beach Police Department, discusses
recent community-police relation issues
The Miami-Dade County Community Relations Board (CRB) held its monthly Criminal Justice & Law enforcement Committee meeting on September 22nd at the Miami Beach Police Department to discuss the extension of Operation Summer Heat, the recent shootings in SW Miami-Dade County, the recent developments in the UPS shooting case, and the need for improved police-community relations in Miami Beach. Various departments also addressed attrition and officer wellness. The next Committee meeting is scheduled for October 27, 2021.
CFW partners with
the March for
Reproductive Justice
The Commission for Women is a proud partner in the October 2, 2021 March for Reproductive Justice. This march is to push for access to reproductive healthcare for all. We welcome supporters to join us.
Hispanic Affairs launches Hispanic Heritage Month Art Expressions Exhibit:
"I Speak Spanglish"
Hispanic Heritage Month is here! The Miami-Dade Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board kicks off festivities with the opening of the "I Speak Spanglish" Art Expressions Exhibit. The mural on display is representative of all the Hispanic countries around the world. This interactive art piece will be on display at the Stephen P. Clark Center until October 15, 2021. Feel free to stop by to take pictures and hashtag #HispanicHeritageMonth and tag @miamidadehaab
The Miami Diaper Bank needs your support! 
Diaper Need Awareness week is September 27 to October 3, 2021, and the Miami Diaper Bank needs your help. The federal government does not recognize diapers as a basic need so diapers are not eligible for federally subsidized food stamps or WIC. So the cost of diapers adds a financial strain on struggling families. The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic stress has just added to the financial difficulties. The Miami Diaper Bank is collecting diapers and donations to support disadvantaged children in our community to get clean diapers and to be dry and healthy.  Learn how you can help here Miami Diaper Bank
Miami-Dade County monitoring COVID-19
Miami-Dade County officials continue to work with local, state, and federal agencies to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic.
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:

COMMUNITY ADVOCACY
BOARD MEETINGS UPDATES
**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.
Program Director: Joshua Ho
Chairperson: Sharon Fine

Tuesday, October 12, 2021, at 6 p.m.
Location: Stephen P. Clark Government Center
111 NW 1st Street, Miami, Florida 33128
18th Floor, Conference Room 18-2
Program Director: Retha Boone-Fye
Chairperson: Stephen Johnson, Esq.

Wednesday, October 6, 2021 at 10 a.m.
Location: Stephen P. Clark Government Center
111 NW 1st Street, Miami, Florida 33128
2nd Floor, BCC Chambers
Program Director: Monica Skoko Rodríguez
Chairperson: Monica Interian

Wednesday, October 27, 2021 at 6 p.m.
Location: Virtual workshop about the ERA and recent developments
Program Director: Shirley Plantin, EJD
Chairperson: John Quick, Esq.

Wednesday, October 17, 2021 at 2 p.m.
Location: TBA
Program Director: Elizabeth Regalado
Chairperson: Miguel A. De Grandy, Esq.

Wednesday, September 29, 2021 at 10 a.m.
Location: Stephen P. Clark Government Center
111 NW 1st Street, Miami, Florida 33128
10th Floor, CITT Conference Room
Domestic Violence Hotline, call 1-800-500-1119
Program Director: Katherine Bolt
Chairperson: Paul Hunt

Thursday, September 30, 2021 at 10 a.m.
Location: Stephen P. Clark Government Center
111 NW 1st Street, Miami, Florida 33128
18th Floor, Room 18-1
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.
Report elder abuse at 1-800-962-2873
Dr. Antonio Jorge Social and Economic Development Council (SEDC)
Program Director: Natalie Milian, MPA
Chairperson: Dr. Raul Moncarz

Friday, October 24, 2021, at 2 p.m.
Location: Stephen P. Clark Government Center
111 NW 1st Street, Miami, Florida 33128
18th Floor, Conference Room 18-3
Program Director: Natalie Milian, MPA
Chairperson: Jose Diaz


Tuesday, October 12, 2021, at 6 p.m.
Location: South Miami Library
6000 Sunset Drive, South Miami, FL 33143
Interfaith Advisory Board (IAB)
Program Director: Teo Noboa

Welcoming our new advisory board to the Advocacy family! More information will be provided soon. Feel free to email Mr. Teo Noboa if you have any questions regarding this board.
Program Director: Gabriel Paez
Chairperson: Aiyana Angeni Gonzalez

Wednesday, October 6, 2021, at 3 p.m.
Location: Stephen P. Clark Government Center
111 NW 1st Street, Miami, Florida 33128
2nd Floor, BCC Chambers
 Stephen P. Clark Government Center 
111 NW 1st Street Suite 1034
Miami, Florida 33128
Sincerely,

Laura Morilla, Executive Director
Office of Community Advocacy
Office of Community Advocacy 
| 305.375.5730 | laura.morilla@miamidade.gov | www.miamidade.gov/advocacy/home.asp