Driving around Miami, especially each April, we all enjoy the inspiring poems that pop up on signs and billboards. This year, poetry project hosts O, Miami and WLRN held a [Your Poem Here] campaign. The winner, Luz Rossy, is a Little Havana resident and Florida International University graduate. Her Zip Ode, a unique poetic form — a five-line poem inspired by writers’ ZIP codes — was chosen to be displayed on a Miami billboard, at the corner of Northeast Eighth Street and Biscayne Boulevard. Showing the ZIP code ‘33125,” the sign displayed these words by Rossy, who was raised in the Dominican Republic: My name came from my abuela and she said we can share it forever.
Luz’s poem was selected from over 1,500 submissions for the way it honors her grandmothers, both also named Luz, and its celebration of home. “You don’t know how much this means to me,” Luz said. She is also a Library Page for the Westchester Regional Library, a branch of Miami-Dade Public Library System. “The best Zip Odes tell a story about home,” said Melissa Gomez, communications director for O, Miami.
Read more at: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/article276645746.html#storylink=cpy
Miami, FL – May 23, 2023 – ChamberSOUTH, the leading business organization in South Miami-Dade County, hosted its highly anticipated 2023 Annual Business Excellence Awards on May 23rd, 2023, at the prestigious Hilton Miami Dadeland. This grand event recognized and celebrated the exceptional achievements of local businesses, professionals, and community leaders who have made significant contributions to the growth and development of the region.
The ChamberSOUTH Business Excellence Awards honored individuals and organizations across a diverse range of categories, reflecting the vibrant and dynamic business landscape of South Miami-Dade County. The winners were selected through a rigorous nomination and evaluation process, showcasing their exemplary leadership, innovation, community engagement, and commitment to excellence.
Here are the outstanding winners of the 2023 ChamberSOUTH Business Excellence Awards:
– Inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award: The Honorable Daniella Levine Cava, Mayor of Miami-Dade County
– Visionary of the Year: Symeria Hudson, United Way
– Heart of the Community Award: Williamson Automotive Group
– Business Champion of the Year: University of Miami
– Community Advocate of the Year: Yesenia Moreno, New Edge Associates
– Corporate Social Responsibility Award: Univision
– Culture Creator Award: Hancock Askew & Co.
– Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award: Miami Dade College
– Emerging Business/Organization of the Year: Titan Managed Technologies
– Excellence in Banking: Mariano Martinez, U.S. Century Bank
– Excellence in Education: School Board Member Luisa Santos, Miami-Dade County School Board
– Excellence in Healthcare: Baptist Health of South Florida
– Excellence in Hospitality: Grove Bay Hospitality
– Excellence in Real Estate: Joe Gallaher, NAI Miami
– Excellence in Sustainability: Florida Power & Light
– Executive of the Year: Caroline O’Connor, Miami Marlins
– Family Owned Business of the Year: US Floors
– Influencer of the Year: Grant Miller, Miami’s Community Newspapers
– Innovation & Technology Award: Dadeland Mall
– Minority Owned Business of the Year: Moni’s Sweets
– Non-Profit of the Year: Chapman Partnership
– Woman Owned Business of the Year: Chef Adrianne’s Vineyard
– Young Professional of the Year: Carlos Andres Villacis, Be Strong International
These exceptional individuals and organizations have demonstrated unparalleled commitment to their respective fields and have been instrumental in driving economic growth and prosperity in South Miami-Dade County. They serve as role models, inspiring others to reach new heights of success and make a positive impact on their communities.
The ChamberSOUTH Business Excellence Awards ceremony was a spectacular event attended by prominent business leaders, government officials, and distinguished guests.
The event was filled with celebration, networking, and recognition of outstanding achievements, reinforcing the ChamberSOUTH’s mission to foster collaboration and create a vibrant business community.
“We are thrilled to honor these remarkable winners who have contributed significantly to the success and growth of our community,” said Brittnie Bassant, President and CEO of ChamberSOUTH. “Their dedication, passion, and innovation serve as an inspiration to all of us. We congratulate them on their well-deserved recognition and extend our deepest gratitude for their commitment to excellence.”
ChamberSOUTH is a Chamber of Commerce dedicated to empowering businesses and professionals in South Miami-Dade County through advocacy, education, and networking opportunities. The ChamberSOUTH Business Excellence Awards is a testament to their commitment to recognizing and celebrating the achievements of the local business community.
For more information about ChamberSOUTH and the Business Excellence Awards, please visit www.chambersouth.com.
At an early age, Jose Dans learned that unfortunate events can happen to anyone in the
blink of an eye, forever changing the course of their lives. Dans remembers a trying time his family experienced when he was 16 years old that, if not for the support of extended family, could have easily found them with no place to live.
That harrowing experience of uncertainty made him realize that not everyone is
fortunate enough to have a support system to help in times of trouble and served as the
catalyst for his lifelong commitment to helping displaced families and transforming
lives.
A Life-Changing Perspective
“Sometimes people experience homelessness because of one misfortune,” Dans said in a
recent interview. “If you are living paycheck to paycheck, it only takes a small challenge
to affect your living condition and the effects can be long lasting. People often think
homelessness is due to someone’s purposeful actions when in reality it is often just one
small act that devolves into a difficult situation.”
Now, almost 40 years later, helping families without a permanent home has become a
life mission for Dans, who is known to family and friends as “Pepe,” and is the founder
and president of one of the leading marketing agencies in Florida, WOW MKTG in Coral
Gables.
For the fourth consecutive year, Dans and his wife of 29 years Heide will chair Chapman
Partnership’s Illuminations Gala.
“Our family has been dedicated to Chapman Partnership for many years,” Dans
explained. “When my family went through a difficult time, it left an indelible mark on
my life. That is why I connect so much with the families that are helped by Chapman on
a daily basis.”
“We know how much being involved with Chapman means to Pepe,” said his wife,
Heide. “He introduced us to the incredible work they do and the entire family wanted to
share in his journey. We wanted our kids to know that anyone can be dealt a bad hand in
life and we all volunteer. It was important to us that our kids see firsthand the
importance of being present in the lives of those who may be suffering. It’s what we are
called to do as Christians.”
Roberto Muñoz has more than 40 years of experience as a financial expert and in leadership roles across Miami-Dade County. He is finishing his 2022-2023 fiscal year appointment as chairman of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, which was founded in 1907 as the Miami Board of Trade. He is the president and CEO of The Global Financial Group, where he specializes in wealth management for high-net worth individuals and wealth management for small to medium-sized companies.
In addition, Mr. Muñoz has headed multiple civic organizations such as the South Florida Council South Florida’s Boy Scouts of America, the Miami-Dade Beacon Council, the Florida International Bankers Association, and the World Trade Center Miami, to name a few.
He said he looks forward to continuing his work in the community, working with groups, organizations, and local governments to help Miami stay as a top-of-the-list destination for the years to come.
Heide and Jose Dans of Wow MKTG hosted a Kick-Off Reception for the Chapman Partnership’s Illuminations Gala in November, the nonprofit organization’s largest fundraising event of the year. With the organization’s goal of surpassing $1.1 million in donations this year, over 100 of Miami-Dade’s community leaders, including television personalities, business executives and philanthropists came out to show their support. Guests included Laurie Jennings and husband Josh Salman, Chapman Partnership interim president and CEO Peter Pruitt, Jr., philanthropists Trish and David Bell, Zoo Miami’s Ron Magill), The Children’s Trust CEO Jim Haj, Jackson Health Foundation marketing chief Matthew Pinzur, and WSVN general sales manager Cindy Feinstein.
At the event, it was announced Timothy Adams would receive the next Alvah H. and Betty B. Chapman Humanitarian Award recipient. Adams has been on Chapman Partnership Board of Trustees since 2002 and is Chairman of the Spiritual Life Committee since 2018, which aims to help participants achieve a sense of value and self-worth through faith. Mr. Adams is also involved in numerous charities and international missions around the world.
Chapman Partnership serves those experiencing homelessness in Miami-Dade County. Each day, the charity provides attention and care to over 800 men, women and children at their centers in Downtown Miami and Homestead.
Look around South Florida to see philanthropic and cultural collaborations at work. Following the historic and devastating April floods across Fort Lauderdale, JM Family Enterprises collaborated with the Community Foundation of Broward, the Jewish Federation of Broward County and the United Way of Broward County to raise $1 million to help in the recovery of other area nonprofits.
Miami Youth for Christ recently celebrated its 75th anniversary of delivering transformative programs to help kids from at-risk community’s face drugs, violence and hardships. PhilanthropyMiami, host of the annual Ignite conference that unites South Florida’s non-profit and charitable giving community, will use $100,000 from Miami-Dade County and Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, and other partners, like Amazon, to hire an executive director and advance its mission.
There’s a deeper message at play, said Thor Barraclough, Habitat for Humanity’s chief programs officer. When executive leadership from JM Family, City Furniture and other partners gather for its “CEO Build” to raise funds, build homes and help train tomorrow’s workforce, the collaboration between the private and non-profit sector is clear.
The Lifestyle Miami Chargers won the Battle Court 13-week Spring Season, earning a $180,000 prize pool and a $50,000 donation for their designated non-profit organization, Clean Miami Beach. The championship final was attended by a spirited crowd including World Jai-Alai League board of directors and fellow league athletes. The Spring 2023 charitable organizations included the Better than Wonderful Foundation, Chapman Partnership, Kiwanis Club of Little Havana, and the Ron Magill Conservation Endowment. The World Jai-Alai League donated close to $70,000 as part of the league’s community outreach program this season. The Fall 2023 Battle Court season will start in September.
The Lifestyle Miami Chargers have emerged as the champions of the Battle Court 13-week Spring Season, defeating the Wall Warriors in the championship final held on May 12 at the Magic City Fronton in Miami. The team, composed of Benny, Iriondo, Iturbide, Spinner, Williams, and Zulaika, clinched the title in a thrilling match that was attended by a lively crowd including the World Jai-Alai League board of directors, team owners, and fellow league athletes. The Battle Court Spring Season featured a $180,000 prize pool, and the Lifestyle Miami Chargers’ designated non-profit organization, Clean Miami Beach, received a $50,000 donation as a result of their victory.
Chapman Partnership is pleased to announce that G. Scott Hansel has been hired as President and Chief Executive Officer. Hansel has over 30 years of business and entrepreneurial expertise, with a focus on improving communities by strengthening families and neighborhoods. Hansel is set to join the nonprofit organization this August.
“Hansel is poised to take the helm, with proven leadership and vision to carry this organization into its 28th year of transforming lives of the most vulnerable in Miami-Dade,” said Edward J. Joyce, Chairman of the Board, Chapman Partnership. “We are deeply grateful for Peter T. Pruitt, Jr. for his sturdy direction as interim President and CEO this past year, and as a former board chair.”
Hansel has served as the CEO of Community Partners of South Florida, a nationally accredited nonprofit organization in Palm Beach County, since 2017. Under his leadership the organization enhanced the quality of life for residents through a comprehensive model providing housing, financial and mental health services.
“I am honored to be chosen by the Chapman Partnership Board of Directors to build upon the legacy created by Alvah H. Chapman, Jr. and joining a team of passionate staff members and volunteers who work to improve the lives for people experiencing homelessness,” said Hansel.
Hansel is a member of the executive committee of the Housing Leadership Council of Palm Beach County and vice-chair of the Neighbor Works Florida. He earned his MBA from Bellarmine University and his B.S. in Pharmacy from the University of Kentucky. Hansel and his family have resided in South Florida for nearly two decades.
Chapman Partnership was founded in 1995 and operates two Homeless Assistance Centers with 800 beds located in Miami and Homestead. The nonprofit provides a comprehensive and innovative “village” of support for homeless men, women, and children. The support includes housing, meals, health and psychiatric care, job training, job placement, and assistance with securing stable housing. At Chapman, aided by generous donors and sponsors, we empower the homeless, providing the tools and hope necessary to build a positive, independent future. An award-winning organization, Chapman is designated as a top ranked four-star charity from nationally recognized nonprofit evaluator Charity Navigator. Chapman Partnership is a private sector partner of the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust. Learn more at www.chapmanpartnership.org.
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Grant Miller visits Chapman Partnership’s South Campus to support the great work that Chapman and the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Miami Group, Magic4Miami, did to renovate their Mom and Baby dorm. Check it out!
On this episode, understanding and overcoming addiction, community help for the homeless, legal advice, home care, plus lots more! Understanding addiction and mental health is a journey. Agape Behavioral Healthcare works hard to support those going through the process.
Chapman Partnership, the private sector partner of the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust, is the largest provider of emergency shelter in Miami-Dade County. They’re providing services that are literally changing lives. The arts can make a community more beautiful and there is an art center on a tiny island that is celebrating 50 years of the art of sharing art with the Marco Island community. A good lawyer can be invaluable to a thriving business.
The challenge is how to find one! We go to the office of Miami attorney Michele Formaggio to learn some tips on how to go about finding a trusted legal partner for you and your venture. Across Florida, hundreds of thousands of people worry about how they will care for an elderly or disabled family member or friend. And one of the biggest parts of the challenge is in finding the right people to staff care programs in the home. We introduce you to OneCall HomeCare, a leading agency that makes quality staffing easy.
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*Impact numbers are updated at the beginning of each fiscal year and will be updated annually.
As the private sector partner of the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust, Chapman Partnership is another step in the continuum of care. Any person or family who is homeless, about to be homeless, or assisting someone facing homelessness, and requiring emergency assistance must first contact the Homeless Helpline administered by the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust. Homeless Helpline Toll Free Number: 1-877-994-HELP (4357).
