Hispanic Unity of Florida (HUF) announces its new Board officers to the Board of Directors, as well as the full slate of Board members for 2018.                                                                   

Charles Tatelbaum, a Director with the Ft. Lauderdale law firm of Tripp Scott, P.A., has been elected to serve as Chair of the HUF Board of Directors.  Mr. Tatelbaum has been a Board member and officer for the past five years and served as the Chair of the HUF Development Committee. He succeeds Guillermo Gomez (Woodforest National Bank) who served as the Board Chair in 2017. Rounding out the Executive Committee, are the following elected officers: Lucia Rodriguez (Comcast) as Chair-Elect; Emma Pfister (Templeton & Company) as Treasurer, and Christina Paradowski (Tripp Scott, P.A) as Secretary. Guillermo Gomez will continue to serve as an officer as Past-Chair.

Mr. Tatelbaum expressed his pleasure and excitement in embarking on this opportunity to lead the Board of an organization that provides so many vital and needed services to the South Florida community. He stated that with the unique diversity of the South Florida community, he welcomes the opportunity to chair HUF’s Board of Directors so that he can be part of augmenting the services provided to the community by HUF.

In addition to his more than 50 years of practice as an attorney focusing on bankruptcy and creditors’ rights issues, complex business litigation, Uniform Commercial Code transactions and lender liability litigation, Mr. Tatelbaum has been active in the South Florida community. He has served as a member (and Chair) of the Board of Friends of WLRN, a volunteer for Broward Partnership for the Homeless, as well as serving on the Board of the Florida Center for Investigative Reporting.

Lucia Rodriguez (Chair-Elect) is Sr. Director of Sales and Marketing Communications at Comcast. She has more than 20 years of experience in the Television/Telecommunications industry, with a proven-track record in Multicultural Marketing and Management. Educated in Venezuela and the United States, she holds a degree in Advertising and Public Relations from Universidad Catolica Andres Bello, and a Master’s degree in Broadcast Administration from Boston University.

Emma Pfister (Treasurer) is a Partner in Templeton & Company LLP’s Tax Services Division. She has more than 30 years of experience in providing tax services, planning and consulting.  She is based in the firms’ Fort Lauderdale office.  A longtime resident of Broward County, she is active on the Board of the Friends for Jack & Jill Children’s Center in Fort Lauderdale and has been active in the St. Anthony Parish School in Fort Lauderdale serving in past leadership positions.

Christina V. Paradowski (Secretary) is an attorney with Tripp Scott, P.A., and focuses her practice in the areas of creditors’ rights, commercial litigation, and general civil litigation. In addition to her service on HUF’s Board, she is also a member of the current Leadership Broward class (Class XXXVI), a graduate of Women Leading Broward (Class IV), and the Immediate Past President of the Broward County Gator Club (an official affiliate of the University of Florida Alumni Association). 

Willy Gomez (Past Chair) has served on the Board of Hispanic Unity for three years and will remain on the Executive Board. Mr. Gomez is Florida’s Regional President for Commercial Banking at Woodforest National Bank. He is a graduate of the University of Miami. Previously, he served nine years on the Board of the Make a Wish Foundation of Southern Florida with one year as Chairman of the Board, and served on the Board of the Miami Science Museum for 12 years.

HUF is proud to welcome six new members to the Board of Directors: Dr. Rolando Garcia (Broward College), Daniel Herz (DFH Business Consultants Inc.), Daphne Maingot (Crowe Horwath LLP), Angie Stone (Citrix), Daniel Schevis (Community Volunteer) and Carolina Cardozo, Esq. (attorney). Continuing in their roles as members of the Board are: Melida Akiti (Memorial Healthcare System), John Guerrero (JM Family Enterprises, Inc.), Hector Lima (Citrix), Al Quintana (Edward Jones Investments), and Steve Sampier (Community Volunteer). Catalina Avalos serves as HUF’s non-voting and pro bono legal counsel.

To learn more about HUF's volunteer leadership on the board and on its committees, contact Felina Furer at 954-862-7693 to schedule a private tour.

Join us today in congratulating our 2018 Board in our Facebook page.

Looking for Healthcare Coverage? HealthCare.gov is open for enrollment until December 15. Our Navigators can help you apply or renew your health insurance plan for 2018.

Schedule an appointment today! Call 954-342-0420.

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Donate to support Hurricane Relief Efforts - HUF Donate Page

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Recovery Assistance:

For Individuals/Families (For Small Businesses See Below)

FEMA Individual Assistance Information/Homeowner Assistance

Broward residents that have experienced damage from Hurricane Irma, can apply for assistance from FEMA. Apply online at www.disasterassistance.gov

FEMA Immigration Requirements

Questions about immigration requirements for FEMA assistance? You must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or a qualified alien to qualify for a grant from FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program. However, undocumented individuals can apply on behalf of a minor child who is a citizen and has a social security number. Voluntary agencies also provide help regardless of citizenship/immigration status. Visit ImmigrantFamily.org for details.

Home Owners

Operation Blue Roof provides no-cost temporary repairs for roofs damaged by Hurricane Irma. Click here for details!

No Internet Service? Visit One of the Broward County Libraries.

Residents are urged to go to their nearest Broward County Library that is open. For a list of open libraries, visit Broward.org/library. Internet service will be available at each Library’s Computer Center. Someone will be there to assist you in getting online. 

Senior Care / Veteran Services

For anyone who is 60 years of age or older and needs assistance, they can call the following agencies:

• Aging and Disability Resource Center of Broward County’s Elderly Helpline: 954-745-9779
• Broward County Elderly and Veterans Services: 954-357-6622

Hotlines

2-1-1 Broward: A 24/7 comprehensive agency in Broward County that provides individuals and families with all of the critical connections to health and human service agencies and programs they need in just one call.

3-1-1, Broward County Call Center: Provides a single point of contact for the services and programs offered by more than 60 agencies of Broward County government.

United States Department of Labor

United States Department of Labor - Hurricane Recovery Assistance

On this page: Public Service Announcements and other resources:

FEMA.gov

USA.gov

Disaster Assistance Improvement Program (DAIP)

Ready.gov 

Benefits.gov

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

Florida Division of Emergency Management

Florida Division of Emergency Management

Recovery Programs:

Individual Assistance

Public Assistance Program

Debris & Special Considerations Program

Fire Management Assistance Grant Program

Apply for Federal Assistance

Disaster Unemployment Assistance

Disaster Unemployment Assistance provides financial assistance to individuals whose employment or self-employment has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a major disaster and who are not eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits.

Visit the Disaster Unemployment Assistance website. 

Disaster Distress Helpline

The Disaster Distress Helpline is a 24/7, 365–day–a–year, national hotline dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human–caused disaster. Phone: 1–800–985–5990

Immigration Help Available to Those Affected by Hurricane Irma

USCIS offers immigration services that may help people affected by unforeseen circumstances, including disasters such as Hurricane Irma.

Visit the USCIS field offices site for closing schedules and updates.  

Aid to Puerto Rico / Mexico

This PBS article highlights the following donation and aid links to Puerto Rico:

Nearly all of the U.S. territory’s 3.4 million residents need assistance recovering from the storm. Here’s how you can help.

Cash. Most organizations are asking for cash, rather than supplies, so they can route help to where it’s needed most more quickly. Here are some of the largest groups with campaigns underway:

·         United for Puerto Rico (spearheaded by the First Lady of Puerto Rico)

·         UNICEF

·         Center for Popular Democracy

·         Hispanic Federation’s “Unidos” page

·         Former U.S. presidents have expanded their One America Appeal to include recovery efforts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands

·         All Hands Volunteers

·         Catholic Relief Services

·         Americares

·         Direct Relief

·         Save the Children, which focuses specifically on the needs of families and their children.

·         Global Giving has a $2 million goal for victims of Hurricane Maria

GoFundMe has also created a hub that includes all campaigns for Hurricane Maria. You can also find campaigns for individual families seeking help for loved ones.

Supplies. The government of Puerto Rico has also launched a guide that details how individuals or companies can donate emergency and construction supplies (from bottled water, hand sanitizer and formula to extension cords, tarp and safety glasses). The National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD) is coordinating many of these donations here (and corporate giving here).

Volunteers. Once infrastructure is stable, the island will also need volunteers. VOAD is a good place to start. It can help match you with organizations with efforts already underway.

Spread the word. Part of the problem is that much of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean isn’t able to ask for help, due to loss of power and infrastructure.

Facebook has a safety check page for victims and their families to check in with each other, as does Google Docs’ person finder. If you or loved one has access to any kind of cell or internet service, the American Red Cross also has an Emergency! App for saftey check-ins and updates. Univision launched an interactive page where you can search for updates on individual municipalities. Officials in Puerto Rico are asking people to report U.S. citizens who need emergency assistance to the State Department through its Task Force Alert program. Go to http://tfa.state.gov and select “2017 Storm Maria.”

Donations for Mexico

UNICEF Mexico

Red Cross Mexico

Oxfam Mexico

Save the Children Mexico (page is in English)

Project Paz

Topos Mexico

Global Giving (page in English)

International Community Foundation (page is in English)

World Vision (page is also in English)

GoFundMe (page is also in English)

Catholic Relief Services (page is in English)

More:

Mexican Red Cross has been accepting direct donations online and has set up an Amazon Wish List for necessary items.

Direct Relief, a humanitarian aid organization, has staff members in Mexico City and has pledged that 100 percent of its donations will go directly to relief efforts, which it says will include facilitating the delivery of medical supplies to affected areas.

GlobalGiving, a crowdfunding organization, has pledged that all money donated to its earthquake fund will go to recovery and relief efforts.

Fondo Unido México, part of the United Way network, has created an emergency fund to help the areas affected by the earthquakes as well as the recent series of hurricanes.

Puerto Rico Relief Committee

Puerto Rico Drop-off Locations

MIAMI-DADE AND BROWARD COUNTIES

Universidad Ana G Mendez - Temp Command Center and drop-off site.

15201 NW 79th Ct, Miami Lakes, FL 33016

Viernes 3pm a 7pm

Sabado 10am a 5pm

Domingo 10am a 4pm

Isla del Encanto - drop-off site 

Viernes de 12pm a 10pm

12850 SW 120th St, Miami, FL 33186

Ay Bendito food truck - drop-off site

Domingo 1pm a 6pm 

9225 SW 137 Ave Miami FL 33196

MANA Wynwood warehouse drop-off site

Sabado 11am a 5pm 

225 NW 2nd Ave, Miami FL. 33127. Drop off

Broward County

Casa Borinquen drop-off site

Sabado 1pm a 5pm

6519 Taft St, Hollywood, FL 33024

The Caribbean - Stay Informed

View the latest information from U.S. Embassies and Consulates in the region:

Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean: 

U.S. Embassy Barbados

See the latest Security and Emergency Messages

Emergency After-Hours Telephone:  (246) 227-4000

Curacao:

U.S. Consulate General Curacao

See the latest Security and Emergency Messages

Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(599)(9) 510-6870

The Bahamas: 

U.S. Embassy Bahamas
See the latest Security and Emergency Messages

Emergency After-Hours Telephone +(242)357-7004

The Dominican Republic:

U.S. Embassy Santo Domingo
See the latest Security and Emergency Messages
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: (809) 567-7775

If you are concerned about non-U.S. citizens in Saba, St Eustatius, and St Maarten, please visit the Netherlands Red Cross Safe and Well website.

SMALL BUSINESS

Disaster Recovery Assistance for Florida Businesses

Additional Resources

• Information You Can Use NOW
  • IRS Gives Tax Relief to Victims of Hurricane Irma 
  • SBA Disaster Loan Assistance 
  • Disaster Unemployment Assistance provides financial assistance to individuals whose employment or self-employment has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a major disaster and who are NOT eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits. 

• Information You Can Use LATER
  • FPL’s “Preparing For a Storm: A Guide For Your Business” 
  • SBA’s Disaster Planning  
  • Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Hurricane Preparedness and Response
    • Preparedness 
    • Response/Recovery 
  • Business Continuity Planning 

Get all the details on voting for the November 8th General Election and key deadlines. Click here to learn more about voting in Broward County; click here to learn about voting in Miami-Dade County.