MIAMI.- Commissioner Manolo Reyes, in his capacity as president of the Downtown Development Authority (Miami DDA), presented a check for $175,000 to Brothers of the Streeta non-profit organization that supports the homeless in Miami.
“These funds will go toward crucial services and programs, including housing for people experiencing homelessness on the streets of Downtown Miami,” said District 4 Commissioner Reyes.
Through its collaboration with Brothers of the StreetMiami DDA has helped more than 180 people obtain stable housing and has served more than 1,309 homeless people in the Downtown Miami area.
“This donation is part of Miami DDA’s ongoing commitment to making a difference in the lives of homeless people,” said the commissioner.
Miami DDA is an independent agency of the City of Miami, funded by a special district property tax, whose mission is to grow, strengthen and promote the economic health of Downtown Miami.
For its part, the Brothers of the Street Foundation is a non-profit organization that assists hundreds of homeless people through various programs and projects dedicated to connecting them with the resources available in Miami for homeless people. In addition, it tries to reconnect them with their families, find them shelter, employment and other services.
Narciso Muñozpresident of Brothers of the Streetexplained that the programs promoted by his foundation seek to be self-sustaining. “We rent housing for homeless people, but they, in turn, must work and pay rent,” Muñoz said.
“Of course, you have to go out and rent a home, pay three months in advance,” he commented, adding that this is part of the help provided by the foundation.
“We try to make these people self-sufficient. In addition to giving them a roof, we help them prepare their documents so that they can reintegrate into society,” he added.
“We walk the streets every day looking for people who need help. Others contact us by phone or through our websites,” explained Muñoz, who explained that they currently have 160 people living in their housing programs and 40 more in hotels.
The foundation also offers temporary shelter to newly arrived immigrants. “We take them in until they stabilize, we help them find work and connect with lawyers. They come here to get ahead and we give them that opportunity,” said Muñoz.
“We believe that it is very important that whoever receives help also helps. That is the concept of Brothers of the Street“said Muñoz, who started his project eight years ago by distributing food to the homeless on the sidewalks of Miami.
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