“We know that we have a homeless issue across the nation, we know that we have a housing deficit across the nation, but in Miami-Dade County, we have the bull by the horns.”
– Congresswoman Frederica Wilson
The issue of homelessness is often overlooked, but in Miami-Dade County, the Homeless Trust makes a concerted effort to keep the lives of the least, the last, the lost, and the forgotten front and center. The Second Gentleman of The United States paid a visit to the Chapman Partnership and helped to continue elevating the work done through our 28-year-old Continuum of Care (COC).
At The M Network, we always look for our work to matter. It’s why we have been advocating for The Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust since 2009, working tirelessly to raise awareness for homelessness in our community. As an agency of record for The Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust, we are tasked with working side-by-side with Homeless Trust Chairman Ron Book and Executive Director Victoria Mallette on BRANDING, marketing, messaging, media relations, and community outreach – all in a way that honors tight budgets and limited assets.
The Second Gentleman was escorted throughout the Chapman Partnership facility by Congresswoman Frederica Wilson and Chairman Book. The Chairman shared with the Vice President’s husband that in Miami-Dade County, there are currently 1,040 unsheltered homeless people, which is a fraction of the 8,000 – 11,000 people Miami once had on the streets and which many urban areas are encountering today.
The Second Gentleman was impressed with the facility and the work being done throughout our community. “You’ve got the federal, local, state government working with the business community to try to work on this problem, and they are also doing it as a holistic approach. It’s one getting folks off the street, but once they are here, you saw there is a triage issue which leads to training and advice and counseling — all of the things that folks really need to then move forward and once they leave this place have housing, have a job, have education.” Here, here! There’s so much work to be done, but we remain committed to the cause and the leadership surrounding this incredibly challenging issue. For more on the First Gentleman’s tour, we link this accurate and insightful story covered by WTVJ’s Ari Odzer.
