The Homeless Trust of Miami-Dade County
Declares November 19, 2009 as Homeless Awareness Day
A Campaign to End Homelessness
MIAMI – Nov. 2009 – Miami-Dade County’s Homeless Trust is declaring Thursday, November 19, 2009 as Homeless Awareness Day. Local residents, schools, churches, and organizations will participate in numerous cardboard brigades throughout the day at designated locations to support the first Homeless Awareness Day ever in Miami-Dade County.
Homeless Awareness Day hopes to bring an end to street homelessness in Miami-Dade County by promoting generosity among South Florida residents. Famed artist Romero Britto has designed Homeless Awareness Meters and Super-Meters that will be placed in high-pedestrian-traffic areas around Miami. The goal for these meters is to collect some of the millions of dollars in spare change that are currently being handed out to panhandlers each year. The funds collected by these meters will support the addition of beds and programs that are needed to assist local shelters. Therefore, people will be able to donate their money to the homeless in a manner that is effective and accountable.
Homeless Awareness Day Events on Thursday, November 19th:
Cardboard Brigades: More than 40 organizations throughout Miami-Dade County will create cardboard brigades throughout the day, which raise awareness for homelessness. Several Miami-Dade County Public Schools will have cardboard brigades on school grounds so their students can support this cause. For the entire list of participating schools, please see the attached “Locations” list.
The 163rd Street Mall: The first official Super-Meter will be installed inside of the mall at 10:00 a.m. (1205 NE 163rd St North Miami Bch, FL. 33162). For visitors interested in attending this event, the Super-Meter will be placed in the center of the mall in front of the Ross store. Ron Book, Chairman of the Homeless Trust, will be a part of the unveiling ceremony and is available for interviews, as well as Curtis Taylor, formerly homeless and now administrator of Harbor House. Paul Lemay, from the mall will also be present. Harbor House representatives will distribute displays to the different shops.
Camillus House: Seven local businesses will sponsor meters and participate in a check presentation ceremony that will begin at 1:30 p.m. at Camillus House, located at 336 NW 5th Street, 3rd floor. All of the meter supporters are Board Members of Camillus House including Carnival Cruise Lines and Bank of America. Karen Maher, Homeless Trust Board Member, and Ron Book will be available for interviews.
Bayside Mall: The Homeless Formerly Homeless Forum will distribute 140 displays throughout the mall at 3:30 p.m. where people will be able to pick up an acrylic card that promotes the Homeless Hotline (401 Biscayne Blvd # N130; Miami, FL 33132). Ron Book and Bayside Mall’s Management will be available for interviews during a presentation at the stage area. Bayside Mall will be sponsoring two meters.
Miami-Dade Expressway Authority (MDX) Tolls: Throughout the day, MDX will distribute more than 200,000 Homeless Trust Helpline Cards at all their toll plaza locations across Miami-Dade County. Residents are encouraged to give these cards with the 1-877-994-HELP (4357) helpline number to any homeless at approach them asking for money on the streets of Miami-Dade. The number is aimed to provide them with direct access to organizations that can assist them.
The Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust was created in 1993 by the Board of County Commissioners. The Trust is not a direct service provider. Instead, it is responsible for the implementation of policy initiatives developed by the 27-member Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust Board, and the monitoring of contract compliance by agencies contracted with the County, through the Trust, for the provision of housing and services for homeless persons. Through its policies and procedures, the Trust also oversees the utilization of the food and beverage tax proceeds dedicated for homeless purposes, as well as other funding sources, to ensure the implementation of the Trust’s primary goals.
For more information regarding Homeless Awareness Day or the Homeless Trust of Miami-Dade County please visit www.miamidade.gov/homeless/.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Eloise E. Rodriguez
Bristol Public Relations
Cell. 786-326-2221
Tel. 305-447-6300
eloise@bristolpr.com