$10 million to sustain Miami-Dade nonprofits

Here to serve in troubled times

Dear Friends of District 8,

This week I'm very proud to announce that the $10 million nonprofit relief fund I helped create through County legislation is officially open and accepting applications!

Our nonprofits are doing critical work to support Miami-Dade families, and I'm glad we are able to help sustain these vital organizations through CARES Act funds.

Organizations can apply for the fund here until September 30, and you can learn more about the program during one of two upcoming Zoom workshops, this Friday, September 11 or next Tuesday, September 15 at 11 am. Register here.

Today is Hunger Action Day – a day of awareness and action to address America's deep food insecurity crisis, which the pandemic has only intensified and exposed. I want to thank the volunteers, nonprofits, and leaders all across our community who have come together to help feed South Florida families during this crisis.

It truly takes a village and I'm so proud of ours in this moment of great need.

Yours in community,

Daniella

I'm extremely grateful to the hundreds of residents who participated in the first public hearing on the proposed county budget, and who spent hours of their time to research, prepare, and speak to the issues they're most passionate about. Thank you for your civic engagement which is so vital to our democracy.

Learn more and register for the second Budget hearing on Thursday, September 17.

Over $2 Million Awarded in Small Business Loans

Small business relief still available

I'm pleased to share that Miami-Dade's Small Business Assistance Forgivable Loan Program has so far awarded over $2 million dollars in loans to 193 small businesses in every County commission district.

Loans are still available for businesses of up to 25 employees who aren't already receiving PPP funding. Learn more and apply, and please help spread the word to impacted businesses.

Miami-Dade Citizenship Week

A celebration of our thriving immigrant community

Tomorrow, Friday, September 11 kicks off Citizenship Week in Miami-Dade, hosted by the Office of New Americans which I was proud to help found in 2015. The week-long event will celebrate Miami-Dade's thriving immigrant community through workshops, panels, and more. Join me for the kick-off Zoom at 8:30 am tomorrow and check out the full schedule.

Today is Suicide Prevention Day – a day to highlight the increasing toll of this pandemic on mental health for people all across our community, especially our youth. If you or someone you know needs urgent mental health resources, call 2-1-1 for the Switchboard of Miami or the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255. More information and resources available from NAMI Miami.

COVID-19 Community Relief

Miami-Dade County is partnering with the Miami Foundation to provide $10 million in COVID-19 relief to local nonprofits through the Nonprofit Supports Grant Program. This federal funding can be used to cover employee payroll, business interruption costs, reopening and more. Learn more and apply by September 30.

The SOBEWFF® & FIU Chaplin School Hospitality Industry Relief Fund provides support to employees of impacted independently owned and operated restaurants, hotel restaurants, bars, and caterers. Learn more and apply.

Hotel employees who have been furloughed or lost their jobs can apply for the Hotel Worker Relief Grant Program, a partnership of the County, Greater Miami & The Beaches Hotel Association, and Miami Dade College. The program will award stipends of up to $1,000 to impacted hotel workers who complete a training workshop. Apply here.

Round two of the Miami-Dade Arts Support (MÁS!) Grants Program supports artists and arts and cultural organizations. Individual artists should apply here; organizations can apply here and must also complete one of six grant workshops prior to applying.

Funds are available to support small businesses via RISE Miami-Dade Small Business Loans, Miami-Dade County Small Business Assistance Forgivable Loans, the CareerSource South Florida COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund, and the $30M Hospitality Industry Grant program.

Key Links & Resources

Miami-Dade County Coronavirus Hub

Miami-Dade Public Schools Coronavirus Hub

Florida Health Coronavirus Site

Complete the 2020 Census

Past Coronavirus Newsletters