A great day for Miami-Dade and Monroe counties

By John Knight, Early Literacy Coordinator on 12/02/2010 @ 05:08 PM

Thursday was big for The Children's Movement of Florida. We presented our legislative package during Miami-Dade and Monroe County's legislative delegation hearing. Alfred Sanchez, CEO of the YMCA of Greater Miami, delivered a powerful and moving speech about the needs of Florida’s children and the necessary steps to begin fulfilling those needs.

We had the support of numerous organizations, all represented in the audience: The Children’s Trust of Miami-Dade, United Way, YMCA, YWCA, The Early Learning Coalition, Big Brothers Big Sisters, University of Miami, Miami-Dade College and many others. We filled more than half of Miami City Hall with our supporters, who all stood up simultaneously to show their support. The attendees ranged from CEOs to a loving mother, all of whom were wearing CMF t-shirts, buttons and flags. Our presence was impossible to ignore.

The positive feedback from our supporters was unending. Everyone I spoke with wants to help someway, somehow. You would think that these supporters are paid to share their time and effort, based on their unyielding enthusiasm and passion for our cause. But, in all seriousness, it takes people like these to make an impact in a state where the priorities are skewed.

Gale Nelson, vice president of programs for Big Brothers Big Sisters, was one of the many supporters who offered to represent our movement and to help spread the word. He wants to speak to the masses and get others involved. We need ALL of your help in spreading the word.

It all represented another tremendous step for Florida's children.

To watch a video of Thursday's presentation, please click here.

John Knight
State Coordinator, South Florida
john.knight@childrensmovementflorida.org