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Investing in Our Hispanic Youth... |
The Miami Beach Youth Leadership Institute
Youth Program... Future Projects! |
"Los niños
son la esperanza
del mundo”
“Children
are the hope
of the future”
José Martí |
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Youth Project Coordinator Jackie Bruno Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart and members of the Youth Program |
UNIDAD is working on developing a New Generation Leadership Institute for young adults. The leadership development program will shape today’s youth into tomorrow’s leaders. The program will focus on the development of certain skills in our youth in order to guide them towards becoming productive members of the society. The program will focus on these key elements:
• Leadership
• Motivation
• Teamwork
• Time Management
• Conflict Management
• Decision Making
• Goal Setting
Another focus point for UNIDAD’s Leadership Institute will be educating and exposing our youth to current legislation in Congress.
For example, the DREAM Act of 2003 (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors) addresses the tragedy of young people who grew up in the United States and have |
graduated from U.S. high schools but whose future is restricted by current immigration laws. Under this act, immigrant students who have grown up in the U.S., have graduated from high school here, and can demonstrate good moral character would initially qualify for “conditional lawful permanent resident” status, which would normally last for six years.
When Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart visited the center during the Hispanic Heritage Celebration, a member of our youth group addressed this issue to him. Luis Arias, a junior at Miami Beach Senior High expressed the urgency and the need to pass such legislation in order to help his friends stay in the country and pursue higher education. Through the Leadership Institute, UNIDAD will continue to engage our youth members in such dialogue with our community leaders. |
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Recognition
North Shore Park Youth Center Oversight Committee is recognized by the Mayor and the Commissioners, for the work done during the construction phase of the Youth Center; those
honored included: MBHCC Executive Director Margarita Cepeda-Leonardo, MBHCC Board Member Ted Berman, Committee Chairman Joe Fontana, Mike Thompson and Deborah Ruggiero. |
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Past Youth Participant Profiles
Mauricio Montalvo
Mauricio Montalvo was a participant of UNIDAD’s youth group from 1999-2003. In 1999, Mauricio won a scholarship from UNIDAD for his essay on Hispanic Heritage. Mauricio was also a member of UNIDAD’s soccer team during those years. He graduated from Miami Beach Senior High school in 2002 and enrolled in St. Thomas University. Mauricio is currently residing in Tallahassee and is attending Florida State University. He is majoring in Sports Management and hopes to one day pursue a career in professional management of soccer players. |
Christian Castilla
Christian Castilla was a participant of UNIDAD’s youth group from 1999-2003. He graduated from Miami Beach Senior High and one month later enlisted in the United States Navy. After completing basic training in Illinois, Christian was assigned to Norfolk, Virginia and later deployed to Iraq for seven months. He returned in November and is now stationed in NF. Christian has earned many awards and decorations. Currently, Christian steers Navy ships all over the world. Christian has earned several scholarships and plans to study Engineering and Computer Science when his tour of duty ends in two years. |
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| International Internship Opportunity for Croatian Students |
Ivona Juran, age 22, is an undergratuade majoring in economics from The Zagreb School of Economics and Management (ZSEM), in Croatia; for two months Ms. Juran worked side by side with Margarita Cepeda-Leonardo, Executive Director, learning the day to day operations of the Miami Beach Hispanic Community Center. This is their first International Student Exchange Program in the US. ZSEM hopes to bring the non-profit management experience to their students.
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Dade Community Foundation
Awards $7,500 for Chess Club |
When the Miami-Dade School System would no longer sponsor their Chess Club, 50 Miami Beach kids and their parents turned to UNIDAD/MBHCC to keep their after-school Chess Club alive. As part of our commitment to Miami Beach youth and recognizing the enormous value of chess training towards academic development, UNIDAD/MBHCC Board adopted the program and committed our resources to keep the Chess Club functioning and to develop permanent funding.
More information on Chess Club web Page |
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1701 Normandy Drive |
Miami Beach, FL. 33140 |
Tel: (305) 867-0051 - Fax: (305) 867-0052 |
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