Message from Commissioner Keon Hardemon

District 3

Hurricane season is here! Are you ready?

Hurricane Season is from June 1 to November 30. Be sure to plan and prepare ahead of time with the Miami-Dade County Hurricane Guide. 

Hispanic Heritage Month Calendar of Events 

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Miami-Dade County has an array of services for survivors of domestic violence. 

The Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board holds

Hispanic Heritage Month Kickoff event

The Miami-Dade County Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board hosted its kick-off event on Friday, September 22, in the lobby of the Stephen P. Clark Center.

The event featured the launch of this year’s mural titled “Emigrate” which symbolizes the journey of migrating to a new country and the struggles of immigrants in search of better opportunities. The event also showcased the Latin trio band “Deep Cuban Sound” and a presentation by the team of the Miami based play, “The Walls Have Ears”, which depicts the tales of a Cuban family in exile. The exhibit “Emigrate” will be on display through October 13^th. 

For more information on the Hispanic Heritage Month activities, please visit https://www.facebook.com/MiamiDadeHAAB/. 

The Commission for Women holds

50-Year Celebration Fundraiser

The Miami-Dade County Commission for Women held its “50 Years of Miami-Dade County Commission for Women: An evening of Community with the Commission for Women" event on Thursday, September 14, at the Thalatta Estate.

Proceeds from the event benefited the continued work of the Commission for Women, an advisory board to the Board of County Commissioners, the County Administration and the public at large about issues pertaining to the status of women and girls in Miami-Dade County. Over 70 guests attended, including Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins (District 8) and Commissioner Kionne McGhee (District 9), who presented the Commission with a proclamation declaring September 14 as Miami-Dade County Commission for Women Day. Village of Palmetto Bay Mayor Karyn Cunningham made welcoming remarks and also issued a Town proclamation to the Commission. 

Please take 15-20 minutes to respond to this important survey. We are seeking your input on issues of importance to better understand the LGBTQ+ population's needs in Miami-Dade County. This project is being led by SAVE and Equality Florida, in collaboration with the FIU Jorge M. Pérez Metropolitan Center. 

The survey will help inform future policy decisions that address service gaps for the LGBTQ+ community and businesses. The survey will also ensure that Miami-Dade County understands and meets the service needs of its LGBTQ+ residents, visitors, and businesses. 

If you have any questions, please contact Lilliam Jarquín at ljarquin@fiu.edu. 

The CRB's Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement Committee holds monthly meeting in partnership with the Circle of Brotherhood

The Interfaith Advisory Board holds

"Redemption" workshop

The Miami-Dade County Interfaith Advisory Board held its “Redemption” workshop hosted in coordination with the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office at the North Dade Regional Library.

During this event participants had the opportunity to understand the process of sealing a criminal record, making a person’s criminal history inaccessible to the public, and expunging a record when the court orders the physical destruction or obliteration of a criminal history record or of a portion of that record.

The Interfaith Advisory Board also raffled ten $75.00 money orders payable to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to cover the state fee. Other participants included staff from the Office of the Clerk of the Court & Comptroller Juan Fernandez-Barquin, representatives from the Office of the State Attorney Katherine Fernandez-Rundle, Miami-Dade Police Department employees, Florida Right Restoration Coalition advisors, Transition Employment Services advocates, and the Miami-Dade County Department of Elections.

The Interfaith Advisory Board hosts

two Back to School giveaways

The Miami-Dade County Interfaith Advisory Board co-sponsored two events to distribute school supplies to families in need, sponsored by The Caring Place and Agape Network!

The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival, is a traditional festival celebrated in Chinese culture. Similar holidays are celebrated by other cultures in East and Southeast Asia. Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the important traditional Chinese festivals, which is usually celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. The festival celebrates three fundamental concepts that are closely connected. First, Gathering, such as family and friends coming together, or harvesting crops for the festival. It is said the Moon is the brightest and roundest on this day which means family reunion. Consequently, this is the main reason why the festival is thought to be important. Second, Thanksgiving, to give thanks for the harvest, or for harmonious unions. And lastly, Praying (asking for conceptual or material satisfaction), such as for babies, a spouse, beauty, longevity, or for a good future.

The Community Relations Board holds

Unveiling for Mothers affected by Gun Violence

The Miami-Dade County Community Relations Board and partners joined Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Commissioner Eileen Higgins and Miami City Commission Chairwoman Christine King at Gibson Park for the unveiling of "Shot: The Mothers Miami Exhibit" - stories of mothers who lost their children to gun violence.

The Asian American Advisory Board partners with HistoryMiami Museum to celebrate Korean Culture

The Miami-Dade County Asian American Advisory Board partnered and participated in "Free Family Fun Day: Celebrating Korean Culture at HistoryMiami Museum" on Saturday, September 9 .

Over 1,400 South Florida residents enjoyed the day with Master Sangwon Jeong, an artist in residence at the HistoryMiami Museum, Young Kwang Yoo, Korean-American Opera singer, Taekwondo exhibitions from World Class Martial Arts Miami, performances by Lynx K-pop dancers from FIU, arts & crafts organized by the Korean Culture Club at FIU, Korean Language Empowerment Club at FIU and basic Taekwondo training by Master Jeong. Delicious Korean cuisine was provided by Covenant Korean Baptist Church of Miami.

October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Florida has launched “Florida Cancer Connect”, an initiative created by First Lady Casey DeSantis in partnership with the Florida Dept. of Health and Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. The Florida Cancer Connect website is a centralized hub for cancer patients, caregivers, and loved ones. La Liga Contra el Cancer serves cancer patients who lack the financial means to cover the costs of treatment such as surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, medication, nursing care, and home medical equipment, among other services. And Miami-Dade County has long supported the American Cancer Society’s “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” campaign to end breast cancer.

Passport services available at some Libraries

Residents of Miami-Dade County can now access passport services at three public libraries. The North Dade Regional Library, South Dade Regional Library, and West Kendall Regional Library all accept passport applications for the U.S. State Department. Passport services are available by appointment only and times vary depending on the library. Get more information and make an appointment here. 

Don’t forget to request a Vote-By-Mail ballot

Due to recent changes in Florida law, all requests for vote-by-mail ballots expired at the end of 2022 so any request on file with the Miami-Dade Elections Department has expired. If you wish to continue voting by mail you must make a new request, either online or by calling 305-499-8444.