From the collection of home videos: Tallahassee trip 2010

The HSC family recently took a road trip to our state capital to talk to legislators about issues affecting Miami-Dade County and Florida as a whole. We wanted to share this quick video with our readers so you can get a taste of the work that we do. Maybe some of you will get on the bus next year!

Calling all (potential) changemakers

As we've written about before, Miamians really need to step up their level of engagement in the community. It's easy to complain about corruption in government, decreased services or other perceived ills, but it's difficult to show up at public meetings, volunteer and follow local elections. Changing systems and mindsets that keep people from getting involved is the subject of the fourth Imagine Miami Changemaker Conference: "Sustaining Livable Communities through Civic Activism."

Registration is still open for the conference, which will take place May 7 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Temple Israel. This is a great opportunity to hear from elected officials such as Katy Sorenson, participate in workshops such as "Transportation Equity" and network with other changemakers. If you are looking to get involved, this is a great place to start. If you are already working in the community, come inspire others and look for ways to collaborate. We hope to see you there!

You Get What You Pay For

Recently a friend told me about a friend of one of her friends, oh, let's call her Freeloader, who e-mailed her because she's considering moving back to the United States from London -- and she has her sights set on South Florida because of the low tax burden here. Florida ranks 31st in the nation for the number of days each of us must work to pay off our taxes, according to the non-profit organization The Tax Foundation -- far behind Minnesota, Freeloader's home state, which comes in with the 8th highest tax burden for the country.

Simple enough: you don't want to pay taxes, move to Florida.

But then Freeloader had another set of requirements:
What about the schools? she asked.
What about public transportation?
What about crime?

Looking at the e-mail, my friend scratched her head. Um, if you want good schools, reliable public transportation, and strong policing, you have to pay for them. Better move back to Minneapolis, she advised.

What taxes pay for

This post was previosly posted by the Miami Herald

April 5 marks what Florida's anti-tax crusaders refer to as ``Tax Freedom Day.'' In 2010, Floridians must work 95 days, or until April 5, to ``pay off'' or meet their tax obligations to the government.

Tax Freedom Day will be trumpeted as a day to celebrate liberation from government tyranny, a call to lower taxes and relieve us Americans. What a frame job! I, for one, am proud to pay my taxes. Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes put it best: ``I like paying taxes. With them I pay for civilization.''

Taxes pay for public education, for vital services like hospitals and a police force. Taxes pay for water, infrastructure and unemployment checks. I see paying taxes as my civic responsibility. I tithe at the Church of Good Government. Every day I benefit from the taxes paid before mine.

So, no, I won't be celebrating Tax Freedom Day, at least not the way taxophobes intend. But I will rejoice in the greatest gift given to me by my taxes: freedom.

Gretchen Beesing

New vendors & old favorites at farmers market

Yesterday was the second run of the Roots in the City Farmers Market in Overtown. We have a new vendor, Hani Khouri, (pictured below with his wife) who sells eggs, cheese, falafels and some amazing cake whose name I didn't catch. Customers can buy the eggs and cheese with food stamps (SNAP) and get double their money when they do so! Unfortunately, you cannot use SNAP to purchase pastries or falafels.
I got to try some delectable hydroponic tomatoes (below) from Teena's Pride. They are practically candy, and Teena can testify that I ate a whole box right there at the market.
So, all and all, it was a great day for me and my taste buds. However, I was disappointed that we had less SNAP customers than last week. It's not for a lack of news coverage.... If you use SNAP benefits, this is a great opportunity to get fresh produce. (Even if you pay with cash, this is a great opportunity to get fresh produce.) When you spend, say, $10 in SNAP at the market, we will give you $10 worth of tokens to use like cash through our vendors. See our lovely new tokens? Help us spread the word about this market! We are open Wednesdays from 1 to 5 p.m. at the corner of NW 2 Ave. and 10 St. for the next couple weeks (we reopen in the fall.)

How often do you see this in Overtown?

Today we launched the Roots in the City Farmers Market, which sells fresh, local, organic produce. We are open Wednesdays (while the growing season lasts) from 1 to 4 p.m. at the corner of NW 2 Ave. and 10 St. We accept cash and SNAP (food stamps). But wait, there's more! If you make a purchase with SNAP, we will double your money! This project is made possible by Wholesome Wave, the Knight Foundation, Michael's Genuine, Roots in the City and Jo Anne and Michael Bander. This is an initiative of the Prosperity Campaign, HSC's outreach arm.

Allegory of the Mountain: The Story of HSC

An allegorical journey into the inner workings of the Human Services Coalition.
DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this production DO NOT represent those of the executive team and board of directors. This video was produced by two of our most promising young employees who sometimes let their imaginations take them to places most people simply are not prepared to encounter. So be warned, and enjoy the ride....

Learn how to start a farmers market

Sharon Yeago, President of the Farmers Market Coalition, will be in Miami to attend the dedication of the new Roots in the City Farmers Market in a couple weeks and will be available to meet with interested parties on Thursday, April 8 at 3 p.m. at the Human Services Coalition, 1900 Biscayne Blvd., Ste. 200. Sharon, who is an experienced market manager herself, can help you develop a plan to start and operate a successful farmers market.

For more information, please call Sharon at 386-454-3950.

Blueprint for education released--check it out

Obama's blueprint for education reform was released this weekend, and he will present his plan to Congress Monday.

Community organizations speak with one voice on Jackson emergency

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release—March 12, 2010

Community organizations speak with one voice on Jackson emergency
Human Services Coalition and Miami Workers Center will announce guiding principles

The Human Services Coalition (HSC) and the Miami Workers Center (MWC) will convene a gathering of local leaders to showcase the need for more community input in solving the Jackson Health System crisis. On March 17 at 11 a.m., the two organizations will present a set of principles they believe should guide the Miami-Dade community in responding to Jackson’s financial emergency. This event will take place at HSC, 1900 Biscayne Blvd., Ste. 200.

”We are asking other health care providers and leaders in Miami-Dade County to sign onto our principles,” said HSC President Daniella Levine.

Residents who have received care at Jackson will be present to share their stories, which demonstrate what an indispensable asset the hospital is to Miami-Dade.

Levine and MWC Executive Director Gihan Perera will call upon other hospitals in the community to fill some of the gaps left by a struggling Jackson.

Contact:

Daniella Levine
President, Human Services Coalition

Daniellal@hscdade.org