Miami-Dade Community Action and Human Services, Miami-Dade County Parks and Miami-Dade County District 2 Commissioner Jean Monestime announce the grand opening of the new senior center at Soar Park on Wednesday, April 23
(MIAMI, April 24, 2014) — On Wednesday, April 23, 2014, the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department and Miami-Dade County District 2 Commissioner Jean Monestime will join the Miami-Dade Community Action and Human Services Department (CAHSD) for the grand opening of the new Senior Center at Soar Park, 100 NW 83 Street Miami. Residents are invited to attend the 10:00 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony and view the park’s new senior center, which is a designated CAHSD Senior Center.
At CAHSD senior centers, participants are provided with nutritionally balanced hot meals, enhanced fitness, art classes, Silver Surfer computer training classes, nutrition and health education, and individual nutrition counseling. Participants enjoy socializing, recreational activities and outings. They are also provided with transportation to and from the Senior Center. This program gives caregivers peace-of-mind and security by providing them with a safe haven for their loved ones. The goal is for participants to maintain a healthy lifestyle, prevent isolation and improve their quality of life. CAHSD has been providing services to seniors and adults with disabilities for over 35 years.
“Thanks to this partnership, senior residents will now enjoy free nutritious meals to go along with free recreational programming and activities at Soar Park,” said Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. “We are grateful to the Parks Department and the Community Action and Human Services Department for coming together to make Soar Park a comprehensive Senior Center.”
“Great things are happening at Soar Park. This free meals program will improve the lives of elderly neighbors and further enhance this park as the community’s central gathering spot for all ages,” said Commissioner Monestime.
“This is a good example of what can be accomplished through county partnerships. Together we can encourage people in their senior years to eat healthy, socialize and exercise, so they can live happier and healthier and be more active,” said Miami-Dade County Parks Department Director Jack Kardys.
“The Soar Park initiative is an ideal example of departmental partnerships that enable seniors to build self-confidence and to assume a major role in maintaining their health and social well-being. The comprehensive activities and social engagement promote healthy and positive aging.” said Miami-Dade Community Action and Human Services Director Lucia Davis-Raiford.
Also at this park is the Little Haiti Optimist Club Community Tech and Youth Center. The multi-purpose facility serves as a recreational program hub and one-stop technology and educational enrichment center for residents and their children. The site offers Internet Access; Basic Computer Training; Job Search/Resume Writing; and Tutoring/Homework Help. Included are lounge areas with flat screen televisions to watch movies and educational programs, and library nooks filled with self-help books and other educational reading materials. There are also many outdoor programs, games, and sports activities for kids to enjoy, including after-school and summer camps, a community garden, and yoga and self-defense classes.
For directions and further information about Soar Park visit www.miamidade.gov or call (786) 469-4610.
About the Miami-Dade County Community Action and Human Services Department (CAHSD):
The Community Action and Human Services Department (CAHSD) is Miami-Dade County’s largest provider of comprehensive social and human services. CAHSD covers the full lifetime spectrum, from children to the elderly, relieving hardship and helping Miami-Dade’s residents become self-sufficient, productive and independent. Programs are designed to target low-income individuals and families. For more information about CAHSD, visit www.miamidade.gov/socialservices/.
About the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department:
Nationally accredited, a three-time winner of the NRPA National Gold Medal Award, winner of the 2013 Florida Governor’s Sustained Excellence Award and the 2009 Florida Governor’s Sterling Award for excellence in management and operations, Miami-Dade County Parks is the third largest county park system in the United States, consisting of 260 parks and 12,825 acres of land. It is one of the most unique park and recreation systems in the world. Made up of more than just playgrounds and athletic fields, it also comprises out-of-school, sports-development, and summer-camp programs; programs for seniors and people with disabilities; educational nature centers and nature preserves; environmental restoration efforts; arts and culture programs and events; the renowned Zoo Miami and the Deering Estate at Cutler; the Crandon Tennis Center, home of the Sony Open; golf courses; beaches; marinas; campgrounds; pools; and more. For information about Miami-Dade County Parks call 3-1-1, or visit www.miamidade.gov/parks/.
Miami-Dade County Parks is supported by The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade a non-profit 501(c)3 organization supporting the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department’s efforts to further develop Miami-Dade County’s world-class parks system for residents and visitors. Its mission is to create a healthier, more livable and sustainable Miami community by ensuring the implementation of the Parks Open Space Master Plan and the development of year-round park and recreation programs for local children, adults and people with disabilities. For more information on the Parks Foundation, please visit www.liveaparklife.org.
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