JUNE 26, 2009 MIAMI BEACH CONVENTION CENTER
T H E N E W G E N E R AT I O N L E A D E R S H I P A N D W O R K F O R C E I N S T I T U T E
PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH TO REACH HIGHER, DREAM BIGGER AND WORK SMARTER
UNIDAD of Miami Beach, Inc. offers a unique and innovative youth development and leadership program aimed at providing inner city youth with the opportunity to reach higher, dream bigger, and work smarter while achieving life and career goals. The goal of the New Generation Leadership and Workforce Institute is to help prepare today's youth to excel in tomorrow's workforce and in their lives overall. The New Generation Leadership and Workforce Institute enhances academic and career training by using current and future labor market information to create a roadmap of short and long term goals that align with participant's abilities and interests. The Program is funded by the South Florida Workforce Investment Board with
Waleska Conde and Jackie Bruno, conducting new employee orientation
support from the City of Miami Beach and The Children's Trust. 264 youth have graduated the program since 2005. The program offers a year round continuum of academic and career development opportunities and culminates in intensive summer programming at two levels for selected youth. Level I and Level II programming provide more advanced leadership, workforce and career development activities including internships, work experience, leadership training, civic involvement learning, development of debating skills and pregnancy preventing activities. Today we celebrate the graduation of the 51 exceptional youth who have completed Level I of the New Generation Leadership and Workforce Institute. Join us in recognizing their achievements!
MARGARITA CEPEDA-LEONARDO Executive Director If you have suggestions for volunteer speakers, field trip experiences, funding sources, sponsors or other program resources, please contact me at: mcepeda@unidadmb.org
Class of 2009 during the first day of employment and training
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ANA MARIA POLO, ESQ. TV Personality – Caso Cerrado Court TV Away from the formalities of life as a law practitioner, Dr. Ana Maria Polo reflects humanity and great strength of character when she faces the TV cameras every day on her show “Caso Cerrado”. The prestigious attorney successfully closes every case that her Hispanic TV audience entrusts her with, making her an educator providing a true service to the community. Born in Havana, Cuba, Ana came to Miami at a very young age accompanied by her family. Later they moved to Puerto Rico where, aside from graduating from high school, Ana discovered she had artistic talent. She participated in different musicals such as: Godspell, Jubilee and
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Showboat. She also sang with the chorus of Jubilee, who were invited by Pope Paul VI to sing at St. Peter’s Basilica as part of the celebration of the 1975 Holy Year. Ana returned to Miami where she completed her degree in Political Science at Florida International University and from where she later received her law degree. Since 1989, Dr. Polo has been dedicated to helping families and individuals through divorces, adoptions, paternities, custody suits, and other family related cases. Dr. Polo is an advocate of helping domestic abuse and child abuse victims in her law practice, Polo, Yablan & Associates, located on Lincoln Road in Miami Beach, Florida. It was here, in Miami, that Dr. Polo integrated her communication skills with her legal expertise by being the guest of several TV programs such as: The Maria Laria Show, Cristina, America en Vivo, and others. Ana also took part in several radio programs one of which was on CMQ Miami and hosted by Angel Martin a popular radio personality. She also contributed her knowledge to an on line magazine called Obsidiana.com. In 2001, Ana started her own national television show,” Sala De Parejas”, via NBC’s Telemundo where she developed an audience well beyond expectations. On “Sala De Parejas”, individuals with marital issues
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and/or conflicts come to “La Dra. Polo” to find a just and legal resolution. In January of 2005, Ana began a new project with Telemundo, “Caso Cerrado”, a more dynamic and diverse show dealing frequently with scandalous and shocking legal battles. The show became an instant success. Her work as a legal mediator has won Dr. Polo many awards including: the INTE 2004, New York City’s ACE 2003 & 2004, Florida International University’s Torch Award, the Hispanic Business Salute of San Jose California 2006, and the Hispanic Alliance “Nuestro Premio” in Atlantic City, NJ, in addition to the Paoli 2006 in Puerto Rico and INTE the iberoamericana TV. Without a doubt, her television persona has made it possible for Ana to convey messages of importance for different causes that benefit society. As a breast cancer survivor, she continues her unconditional support for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. In October of 2005 she was named the Godmother of careers dedicated to the cure for breast cancer in Puerto Rico. Dr. Ana Maria Polo lives her career passionately and with unwavering commitment. This dedication is seen every day when her TV guests challenge her to find a solution to their problems and she gives them back the hope that there is always a better way to live.
T R A I N E R S
Ophelia Valls, Esq. and Armando Alsonso, Esq. Trainers-Management Resources Institute
Elena Brouwer, Trainer-International Etiquette Centre
Nelson Santiago, Ph.D.
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Honorable Matti Bower, Mayor, City of Miami Beach, was first elected to the Miami Beach Commission in November 1999. Mayor Matti Herrera Bower has established a reputation for being dedicated and passionate about the issues that face Miami Beach. Her enthusiasm to help others recognized by all who meet her. She is recognized as an independent leader in the community. Mayor Bower began her career as a community activist over thirty years ago as the President of the Feinberg Fisher Elementary School Parent Teachers Association (PTA). She also served as President of the PTA at Nautilus Jr. High and Miami Beach Senior High Schools. Additionally, she worked on countywide issues as a member of the Miami-Dade County Public School Board's Attendance Boundary Committee, Committee on Bilingual Education, Miami-Beach Feeder Patterns, and the Citizens'
HONORABLE MATTI HERRERA BOWER MAYOR OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
Advisory Board. A major cornerstone of her ongoing efforts is to ensure quality education for all students, making Miami Beach a great place to live and work. Mayor Bower has worked tirelessly on issues that directly affect people. Most recently, she led the Miami Beach fight against the movement to rescind the MiamiDade County Human Rights Ordinance, which protects the rights of everyone, regardless of an individual's sexual orientation. of Miami Beach, Inc.
New Generation Summer Institute, Level II, Class of 2008
She is a co-founder of UNIDAD
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Sarah Abouelwafa
Mario Francisco Aly
Eunice Beauburn
Kierra Bell
Retivia Black
Questella Bradshaw
Nygeria Brown
Tynetta Brown
Rebecca Caneus
Andres Cantillo
Johanna Castellanos
Oscar Cifuentes
Judge Darrin P. Gayles
Dr. Elliot Sklar Health Programs Manager, UNIDAD
Wendy Andrade, Radio Account Executive
Margarita Cepeda-Leonardo, Welcoming Remarks
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Josealena Climpson
Angel Cruz
Erick Cruz
Martin De Salterain
Kristabal Delgado
Sherly Denis
Maria Guzman
Regina Honorat
Chamaya Jones
Sylvia Knight
Tieqwana Major
Karen Mcintyre
Sergio Urquidi, Journalist
Pregnancy Prevention Activity
Level II, Field Trip to FIU- Rope Track Challenge
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Curtis Mcmillian
Miguel Mejia
Sebastian Moreno
Zulma Munoz
April Nicholson
Jeaniska Norvil
Ingrid Olmo
Alex W. Palma
Demetrius Parmenter
Dayana Quinto
Monique Refuse
Michelle Reyes
Lonnie Bonds, Austin Burke of Florida
Girls at SYMS
Leadership Session, Team Building Exercise
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Jonathan Ryan
Onyx Santiago
Steward Schwarz
Peta-Gay Sherwood
Anthony Solano
Victor Soto
Cliford Taylor
Clinton Taylor
Mahogany Trapp
Alexander Valerio
Darlene Valerio
Erika Vasallo
Sharlatay Willis
Vanessa Woodstock
Gabriella Young
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C O M M U N I T Y
KEVIN SMITH DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT, CITY OF MIAMI BEACH Kevin Smith has worked with the City of Miami Beach for over 16 years, most recently in the capacity of Director of Parks and Recreation. He administers the profes-
MARIA L. RUIZ DIVISION DIRECTOR OFFICE OF COMMUNITY SERVICES, CITY OF MIAMI BEACH Maria L. Ruiz is the Division Director – Office of Community Services for the City of Miami Beach. In this position, she is responsible for Success University. Ms. Ruiz has a long history of creating and organizing youth programs. She designed and managed two youth programs recognized as best practices at the state and national
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sional functions of a $30 million operation with 200 full time and 150 part-time and contractual staff, maintaining over 750 acres of parks, landscaped areas and urban forests and 32 parks. Kevin directs the implementation of recreation programs and services at major parks, youth centers, community centers, golf courses and neighborhood parks and pools. Mr. Smith also worked with the City of Miami as the Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation for 6 years. He was responsible for the overall direction and daily operations of the Recreation, Day Care, Golf Courses, Programs for Persons with Disabilities, Public Information and Special Events Divisions. Kevin was part of the Executive Management Team directing the operations of the Orange Bowl Stadium, three (3) marinas, the Miami Baseball Stadium, Miami Marine Stadium, a 400 acre beach and maintenance of 110 parks and related recreation facilities. Prior to these posts Kevin worked over
an 11 year period as the Recreation Program Specialist, then the Assistant Division Head and finally the Division Head for the City of Miami Programs for Persons with Disabilities. As the Division Head, he was responsible for the development, implementation and evaluation of comprehensive recreational/educational programs for the disabled citizens of Miami. Services included information and referral, vocational job training, the provision of recreation programs and leisure based education. Kevin received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Recreation Administration from the University of lowa. He has also completed specialized courses on leadership, municipal finance and budget, labor relations, conflict resolution, public involvement, disaster preparedness, and customer service. He is a member of the National Recreation and Parks Association, the Florida Recreation and Parks Association, and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.
level: Performing Arts Academy of South Florida and Neighborhoods First/Truancy Prevention Program. Maria also established a variety of annual youth events including: Brain Bowl, Galaxy of Talent, Peace Festival, Youth Leadership Conference and Above Ground Concert Series. Another of her accomplishments in this area includes the coordination of school recruitment and chapter development for Dade County Youth Crime Watch, which resulted in the highest school participation rate among all regional coordinators in nation’s 4th largest school district. Youth Empowerment Network is still another one of the programs she created, linking students and educators from the City’s public and private schools to promote cooperation ,and improved communication and resource-sharing through shared projects. She secured a $100,000 planning grant for Miami Beach Service Partnership and a subsequent $700,000 implementation grant.
These funds established service learning partnerships and mutual aid agreements with social service providers and secondary school institutions including Barry University, Florida International University, Miami-Dade College and Florida State University. Maria Ruiz has expanded and improved many human services programs in Miami Beach, ranging from those serving the homeless, youth, the disabled, and volunteers. Her program planning, grant writing and management skills have brought many benefits to thousands of individuals in our community. Ms. Ruiz is the creator of weekly MB Monday Habit, a management resource publication for members of the Miami Beach Service Partnership. She is also a Certified Trainer of 7 Habits for Highly Effective People and 7 Habits for Highly Effective Teens.
F I E L D T R I P EPCOT — ORLANDO, FLORIDA
S P E A K E R S
Lee Luna, Primerica
Jose Diaz Balart, Journalist
Miguel Del Campillo Director of the Miami Beach Housing Authority
S T A F F
T R A I N E R S
Eleana Brouwer
International Etiquette
Mirizza Menendez
Raymond Adrian
Waleska E. Conde
Career Center Director
Director of Operations
Program Coordinator
Armando Alonso
Management Resources
Katherine Hernandez
Rosalin Ortega
Gisel Shull
Team Leader
Counselor
Counselor Ofelia Sanchez
Management Resources
Jackie Bruno
Bradd Blackmon
Wanda Jimenez
Human Resources Coordinator
Team Leader
Academic Advisor
Juan Casimiro
Insight, LLC
Ophellia M. Valls Noemarie Zayas
Corina Grazutis
Jose Beltran
Yo u t h S t a f f
Te a m L e a d e r
Te a m L e a d e r
Management Resources
SPECIAL
THANKS
TO:
William T. Turner Tech High School West Dade Career Center Northside Career Center Susana and Carlos Bus Ser vice Advantage Bus Ser vice Mr. Miguel Del Campillo Mr. Lee Luna Mr. Sergio Urquidi Honorable Judge Darrin Gayles Jose Diaz Balart
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