Bridge Builder
Having lost the hard fought fight for the right of residents to determine whether Formula 1 was good for Miami Gardens, Karen decided that she could better serve the community by partnering with the city to put some of the Formula 1 funds to good use, benefiting underserved Miami Gardens seniors, creating a coalition of community partners to rehabilitate the homes of our seniors. Project partners have included Miami Gardens Neighborhood Watch, Inc., City of Miami Gardens, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, Calder Casino, Florida Memorial University, Links Logistics, PGIM, Miami Job Corp, Greater Miami Service Corp, Kazah Court #117 and Kazah Temple #149, Antioch of Miami Gardens Men's Ministry and other volunteers.
Community
Advocate
Partnered with other Miami Gardens' advocates to protest and amplify the deplorable conditions of the Miami Gardens Post Office on State Road 441. The protest yielded a clean-up of the facility and grounds.
Child & safe neighborhoods
Advocate
Following years of fighting for a safe off-street drop-off/pick-up area at Norwood Elementary School, with the support of engaged neighbors, the Norwood PTA, Norwood/Norland Crime Watch, and the leadership of Dr. Steve Gallon, MDCPS Board Chair, our efforts resulted in Miami-Dade County Public Schools recently approving $600,000+ to construct a safe off-street drop-off/pick-up area. Construction is slated to commence in 2024.
promoting Safety & Awareness
In an effort to bridge the information divide within our community, we established a community website, social media channels, and monthly newsletter, aimed at delivering crucial updates and resources to residents, with the goal of "CONNECTING RESIDENTS TO RESOURCES" @ www.1communitycan.com
Church Leader &
Youth Mentor
At New Ark Covenant Church, Karen serves as a mentor/counselor to young women, praise team leader, youth praise team coordinator, trustee and elder.
Karen helped create and facilitated a Youth Violence & Gang Prevention summer camp for at-risk youth funded by the Children's Trust.
Developing public/private
Partnerships
& leveraging community resources
connecting residents to resources via 1communitycan.com, social media & monthly
e-newsletter
