| Message from Our Executive Director
Dr. Anay Abraham |
"In every community, there is work to be done. In every nation, there are wounds to heal.
In every heart, there is the power to do it." - Marianne Williamson |
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As Casa Familia continues to grow, we are also trying to grow our e-Connect Newsletter to make it more informative on issues that are of interest to you or someone you may know.
In our last edition, I shared information about housing options in my message. This time, we have articles relating to The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Transition and Adult Programs at UM-NSU CARD and another on Specials Needs Trusts which was developed by our Advisory Board Member Tom Whitehurst of Raymond James and our friends at Coral Gables Trust Company.
We hope you find these articles helpful and plan to bring more information and resources to you in future edition of our e-Connect Newsletter. |
Potential Resident Spotlight |
Meet Jackie Rose! Jackie is excited about the possibility of becoming a resident at The Village of Casa Familia. Not only will it be an opportunity to be on her own but it will also allow her to be closer to friends, to do more things with them and to see them more often. She looks forward to being able to visit the Community Center to play games and sing karaoke at the end of the day with the other residents.
Jackie is a very busy person! She enjoys country music and going to concerts and likes to spend her free time writing lyrics. Boating in the Florida Keys, attending University of Miami football games and enjoying good food at restaurants are also on her list of fun things to do. She is part of Best Buddies Citizens.
Jackie attended St. Agatha Catholic School where she inspired The Mother Teresa Program, a program for children with Down Syndrome and other “abilities.” Through this program she attended the same school as her sisters and was able to enjoy middle school through inclusion. Jackie loved her high school years at Southwest Senior High School where she participated in the dance program and all the dance shows.
After high school, Jackie worked at Great Heights Academy as a teacher’s assistance/aid while also working at Chick-fil-A. Now she works at L’Atelier in Dadeland Mall. |
Check presentation at recent board meeting with Rep. Anthony Rodriguez 2022-23 Legislative Appropriation Awarded to Casa Familia!
We are grateful for the support of Gov. Ron DeSantis, Lt. Gov. Jeannette Nunez and our legislative champions Sen. Manny Diaz, Jr. and Rep. Anthony Rodriguez as we announce that Casa Familia, Inc. was awarded $2 million in the 2022-23 Legislative Budget. This funding has been approved for the planning and development of a community designed to maximize independence and promote community engagement for individuals who will benefit from full-time services and supports to live in a residential setting.
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Meet the Casa Familia Young Professionals Board Leadership
The Young Professionals Board (YPB) seeks to bring together socially conscious young professionals in South Florida to support the mission of Casa Familia: To sponsor the development of affordable housing communities in Miami-Dade County, with enriched features, amenities, and services that benefit adults with Intellectual, Developmental, and other related disabilities. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Casa Familia Young Professionals Board, please email our Executive Director, Dr. Anay Abraham, at aabraham@casafamiliainc.org.
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The YPB is chaired by Anthony Valenzuela, who is a senior at the University of Florida studying Business Administration, specializing in Leadership Development at the University of Florida's Warrington College of Business. He transferred from the Honors College at Miami Dade College, where he served as the Student Government President. He is the Director of Legislative Affairs for Student Government, a member of the Executive Board for Class Council, and the Student Senator on the Faculty Senate. Two years ago, Anthony became the co-founder of The Mindset Podcast. He interviews some of the brightest and most influential leaders, politicians, and businesspeople across the country.
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Since 2019, Anthony has been an active real estate agent in Miami, Florida, under The Valenzuela Real Estate Group. Anthony aspires to make adifference by merging real estate and politics to provide much-needed affordable housing opportunities in South Florida. To learn more about the members of the YPB Leadership Team click here. |
Understanding Special Needs Trusts Who needs a Special Needs Trust?
Careful estate planning is necessary when planning for children or relatives with disabilities. The term “special needs” is commonly used when someone in the family cannot make necessary legal, financial, and overall life decisions for him or herself. Richard DeNapoli, Chief Trust Officer at Coral Gables Trust, says that the biggest fear is often “Who will take care of my loved ones and how will they be provided for after I am gone?” A Special Needs or Supplemental Needs Trust (“SNT”) is a trust that preserves your loved one's ability to receive Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”) and Medicaid benefits and can help you establish your wishes for how your loved one is provided for after your death. A SNT should be considered for any disabled person who has or might receive financial assets due to inheritance, gift, a medical malpractice accident settlement, or other similar situations. Keep in mind that someone who is receiving Medicare or SSDI may someday also need the Medicaid coverage, e.g., if they ever need long-term nursing home care.
To read the rest of the article click here. |
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The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Transition and Adult Programs at UM-NSU CARD Can Help Transitions to Adulthood
Many individuals with developmental disabilities approach adulthood and wonder: what now? Will there be support for me to help me make decisions? Will I be able to make friends and have social activities? Will I be able to work or go to college or learn a new skill? There are so many questions facing all of us as we grow up and sometimes it may feel overwhelming and confusing and we may not know where to turn for trusted advice.
To read the rest of the article click here. |
Welcome Founders Society Members
Thank you to The Mneimneh Family Foundation who recently joined as Builders and Newslink of Miami, LLC who became Benefactors of the Founders Society. We are delighted to have you as part of our family!
If you are interested in learning more about the Founders Society and how you can become a member, please contact Debbie Korge at dkorge@casafamiliainc.org, visit our website at https://casafamiliainc.org/founders/ or click on the "Become a Founder" link below.
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Mark Your Calendars for Give Miami Day!
We are proud to announce that Casa Familia is once again a participant in The Miami Foundation’s Give Day, one of the nation’s largest 24-hour annual online giving events, and we need your support on November 17th, 2022!
Bookmark our Give Miami Day page and make an early donation starting November 14th or on November 17th! |
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¿Estás interesado en participar en un recorrido virtual de Casa Familia?
¡Planifique servirse una taza de café (o té) y únase a nosotros el jueves 3 de noviembre a las 3:00 de la tarde para Cafecito con Casa Familia! Durante este breve recorrido virtual, aprenderá y verá la visión del Village of Casa Familia tal como lo presentan los miembro de Casa Familia. El espacio es limitado, así que haga clic en el botón a continuación para registrarse y le mándaremos el enlace para asistir antes de la fecha. ¡Esperamos verlos! |
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Support Our Mission to create sustainable, enriched and affordable housing communities, with features, amenities and services designed to benefit adults with intellectual, developmental, and other related disabilities.
In this critical year of our planned groundbreaking of the Village of Casa Familia, our greatest need is mission-building support. You can help make a lasting impact in your community. Your donation to Casa Familia will give adults with IDD the gift of affordable residential options and a pathway to independence. Ways to help: |
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Make Us Smile
You can help Casa Familia every time you shop online by using AmazonSmile and asking your friends to do the same. AmazonPrime members enjoy all the same benefits on AmazonSmile and Amazon donates .5% of your qualifying purchases to Casa Familia. |
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PILLAR Trager Family Foundation Mrs. Willard Wheeler STEWARD
Anne and Jim Davis
Marc S. Plonskier BUILDER The Family of H.R. Dunn Arencibia The Dunspaugh-Dalton Foundation The Mneimneh Family Foundation
The Rainforth Foundation, Inc. Tom and Marie-Ilene Whitehurst BENEFACTOR
Sue and Fred Diamond Charitable Foundation The Miami Foundation Cecilia Montero
Michael Moran
Newslink of Miami, LLC The Ward Family
PATRON
Casa Familia Bankers Alliance/Erbi Blanco-True
Carol Whitehurst Deeser
First Horizon Foundation Mr. and Mrs. K. Lawrence Gragg
The Inamdar Family
Karin and Lane Jawitz Joselow Foundation/Adam Bierman Vicki Kroviak and Steve Grieder The Rossel Family & Friends
Ryder Charitable Foundation
Lourdes Sanchez Jan and Bernie Silver Family The Wiseheart Foundation
FRIEND
Erivaldo Arraes Bradesco BAC Florida Bank
Truman and Scarlett Brooks Carol and Gerald B. Cope, Jr. Carol Whitehurst Deeser
The Feldman Family
Marcell & Veronica Felipe/ Daniel Felipe
Dave Lawrence Jr./The Children’s Movement of Florida Lena Johnson and John Lowell MasTec Mrs. Edward N. Moylan Peacock Foundation
Frank and Maria M. Perez
Nestor J. Plana
Margaret and Roger Starner Jack & Maxine Wishart Charitable Trust/
Lisa Wishart Chaffin |
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Founders of the Village of Casa Familia are making a real impact in their own community and in the lives of some very exceptional people by helping to build the first affordable housing community in Miami-Dade County for adults with IDD.
Leave a lasting legacy by becoming a Founder of the Village of Casa Familia. |
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Casa Familia, Inc. Recognizes Our
Village of Casa Familia Partners
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