Neighbors 4 Neighbors Launches Effort to Replenish South Florida Food Banks

CBS4's Neighbors 4 Neighbors will team up with NewsRadio 610 WIOD and Chick-fil-A restaurants throughout South Florida to sponsor "Food 4 South Florida," from Wednesday, July 1- Friday, July 31. The drive aims to replenish shrinking food banks for families facing financial hardship.

Because the economy is also making it harder for pet owners, Neighbors will also accept pet food donations and arrange distribution for the community's furry friends.

Chick-fil-A will participate by having nine of its locations serve as drop-off points:

• Dadeland Mall (Food Court)
• Doral FSU
• The Fountains of Miramar
• Pembroke Lakes Mall
• Sawgrass Square
• Westfield Broward (Broward Mall)
• Lauderhill
• Coral Square Mall
• Coral Springs

Neighbors is currently looking for local companies that would be willing to host food drives with their employees as part of the over-all efforts. Community groups, individuals, and businesses who participate, will be paired with a food bank closest to them. To sign up, simply go to cbs4.com/neighbors.

Job Opportunities in South Florida

When available, Neighbors 4 Neighbors will post information regarding job openings in the South Florida area. Please note that jobs may get filled quickly, so be sure to keep an eye on our site so that you can find the most current list of what job opportunities are available.

If YOU have a job you'd like to post on our website, please contact the Neighbors 4 Neighbors office at (305) 597-4404.

Click here to view or download the job listings in PDF format.

For other job opportunities, please visit any of these websites below:

• Employ Florida Marketplace
• WorkSquare
• WorkForceOne
• AccessMiamiJobs.com

Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Florida is in need of Wish List Items

The summer months are upon us and it is the time of year when RHMC needs your help most. Providing temporary housing for over 425 families a year, the Ronald McDonald Houses of South Florida could not operate as a "home-away-from home" without the help of our community and friends. Everything that you need in your home, the Ronald McDonald House needs, except on a much larger scale. Get together with your office, church, school, or neighborhood to collect items and help the families staying with RHMC-SF.

The items of greatest need (but are not limited) to are as follows:

• Paper Products (Plates & Cups)
• Forks and Spoons
• Aluminum Foil
• Blue Bathroom Rugs
• Blue Shower Curtains
• Pillows and Pillow Cases (white)
• Twin Bed Sheets (white)
• Toilet Paper
• Paper Towels
• Laundry Detergent (powdered)
• Cleaning Supplies
• Vacuum cleaner
• Fresh Foods
• Pressure Cleaner (equipment or service)
• Digital Cameras (2)

Experience the Super Bowl Like Never Before!

The Volunteer Services Department of the South Florida Super Bowl Host Committee is looking for friendly faces to welcome visitors and provide event information about Super Bowl XLIV and Pro Bowl 2010 activities. Dedicated and hospitable Ambassadors are instrumental to the production and success of Super Bowl XLIV and Pro Bowl 2010 activities and positively affect the economic impact to South Florida.

Ambassadors will be able to select their own volunteer activity and shift from a wide selection of opportunities. Some activities include NFL Experience, Guest Relations at South Florida Airports and Hotels, Youth Clinics, South Florida Super Bowl Host Committee Parties. Detailed descriptions of activities and duties can be found on our website at www.SouthFloridaSuperBowl.com.

CLICK HERE TO BECOME AN AMBASSADOR TODAY!

Super Bowl XLIV is February 7, 2010 at Dolphin Stadium. You can contact the South Florida Super Bowl Host Committee at 305-614-7564, or send an email to Volunteers@SouthFloridaSuperBowl.com.

FREE Summer Camp Opportunity for Teens Through Team Row

Viyella Athletics' Team Row, in partnership with The Children's Trust, provides a summer camp for teens 13-18 and it is a true leadership type of experience. The camp is FREE and the only requirements are that the teen knows how to swim and has never taken rowing classes. The two-week long camp experience takes place in Key Biscayne and is offered in four separate sessions this summer, as follows:

• June 8-June 19
• June 22-July 3
• July 6-July 17
• July 20-July 31

Space is limited, so call 305-321-7966 to find out more about this wonderful program.

Pfizer Offering Free Medications for Unemployed

Pharmaceutical company Pfizer has announced a program to help victims of the recession and their families to get free Pfizer medications. If you lost your job after January 1st and no longer have health insurance, you may be eligible for Pfizer's new MAINTAIN program, which will provide about 70 of Pfizer's medications free of charge for up to one year. More information on this and all other Pfizer patient assistance programs can be found at www.PfizerHelpfulAnswers.com, or call 1-866-706-2400.

Miami-Dade County Public Schools Opens Hotline for H1N1 Virus ("Swine Flu") Information

Miami-Dade County Public Schools has opened an information hotline to assist parents and the public with questions about the H1N1 virus (commonly known as swine flu). The number is 305-995-3000. The call center will be staffed with specialists from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and recorded information will be presented after hours.

Applications available for the City of Miami's Foreclosure Prevention Program for Low-Income, City Homeowners

The City of Miami's Department of Community Development Foreclosure Prevention Program has monies available to assist eligible, low-income homeowners within City of Miami limits who are facing foreclosure. The program offers eligible homeowners with up to $7,500 in assistance towards late fees and delinquent payments associated with their home loan.

In order to be eligible, the homeowner must meet the following qualifications: 1.) have received a foreclosure notice from their mortgage lender; 2.) be 80% average median income or below (see chart) as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development; 3.) the property must be located in the City of Miami, be single-family, and owner-occupied (have a homestead exemption); 4.) the property's maximum tax assessed market value cannot exceed $300,000; 5.) the homeowner must prove that delinquency on their home loan was due to a significant loss of household income, such as loss of employment, sudden medical illness, death in the family, predatory lending practices, etc.; 6.) the homeowner must demonstrate their ability to make future mortgage payments after the assistance is received and provide a revised monthly budget.

The applicant cannot own any other property at the time of assistance and if eligible, must undergo foreclosure prevention counseling from a HUD-certified counseling agency. Applications are currently available at the Department of Community Development, 444 SW 2nd Ave., Second Floor, Miami, FL 33130 and on the web for downloading at www.miamigov.com/communitydevelopment. Applications will be accepted at the Department of Community Development. Assistance will be provided on a first-come, first-ready, first-served basis. For additional information on the program, please call 305-416-2016 or 311.

Trinidadian Baby Needs Financial Help for Heart Transplant

Karine Rampersad is a beautiful 4-month old baby from Trinidad who has a congenital heart defect. She's already undergone one surgery at Jackson Memorial Hospital, but she's in need of at least two more and health care. The International Kids Fund is working to help raise money for her, but they're going to need a lot of assistance to reach their goal - they need to raise $50,000 to move forward with the surgeries. Without these surgeries she has very little chance of survival. To donate money to help Karine get these life-saving surgeries, please contact the International Kids Fund by mail, phone or online.

International Kids Fund
Re: Karine Rampersad
P.O. Box 2020
Miami, FL 33101
Toll Free: 1-877-IKF-KIDS (1-877-453-5437)
www.internationalkidsfund.org

4 Your Money

Volunteers from Work Force One, Work Square Florida, Human Services Coalition, and the Financial Planning Associations of Miami-Dade and Broward counties joined the Neighbors 4 Neighbors/CBS4 4 Your Money Phone bank. Als '4 Your Money' segment has also featured Foreclosure Prevention Specialists, to help those South Florida homeowners who are facing foreclosure. Hundreds of calls have already come through, putting many in our community in touch with resources that can help them make the most of their money during these difficult economic times, and we will continue to be available in the coming weeks to answer your financial questions.

You can call the 4 Your Money Phone Bank at (305) 597-4404,
every Monday Evening (except holidays) from 5-6:30PM.

Help Former Foster Children Transition to Independent Living

The Department of Children and Families and the City of Pembroke Pines created a residential Transitional Independent Living pilot program for adjudicated youth who have aged out of the foster care system. In addition to former foster care youth, the residential facility will be home to mothers with young children who are transitioning from a Susan B. Anthony Recovery Center, a residential substance-abuse treatment program, into this innovative and affordable housing option. All residents pay their own rent while continuing their transition but the apartments are unfurnished. That's where you come in!

Please consider donating any of the following items. Donations can be new or gently used and are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Please contact Robin Ullman at 954-267-4051 to arrange pick up or delivery of your donation.

Miami Residents to Receive Increased Food Stamp Benefits

City of Miami individuals and families receiving food stamps will receive additional monthly benefits beginning April 1, 2009, as a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This legislation increases the amount families can receive from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program.

Miami residents can apply for their benefits at the 13 Neighborhood Enhancement Team (NET) Offices and utilize the Benefit Bank, which electronically connects the State's and City's application processes and offers clients a common web-based application form for all benefits. Residents can to go to one location and complete one application to apply for SNAP, child care, TANF, Earned Income Tax Credit, Medicaid, School Nutrition programs, Income Tax Preparation, and other services.

Most families on SNAP will see their benefits go up by about $20 per family member. The extra benefits will be added automatically to clients' Electronic Benefits Transfer cards, and clients do not have to take any additional action to initiate the benefit. The extra benefits can be used to buy food at local grocery stores. Clients can visit "My ACCESS Account" on the Access Florida website to see how the increase has affected their benefits. For more information on ACCESS Miami, the public can call (305) 416-2181.

Volunteer With Local Art Organizations

Arts Connection is a hands-on, short-term volunteer program of the Arts & Business Council of Miami. You can sign up for the Arts Connection Volunteer E-Newsletter, which features local arts organizations looking for volunteers on a short-term basis. To find out more, visit the ABCM website or call 305.326.1021.

Florida A&M Offers Computer Science Scholarships for African-American Women

Florida A & M University is providing an outstanding opportunity for Black women entering college in the fall of 2009. It is designed to address their absence in the field of computer technology. Dr. Jason Black is the Principal Investigator of a recently awarded $552,000 NSF Grant entitled African-American Women in Computer Science. The grant provides scholarships from $4000 to $10,000 per year for female African-American students.

"We need your help to get the word out about this great opportunity to build back up the enrollment of women in the CIS Department. Pass this information along to high school or community college students, their parents, and to guidance counselors you may know."

Click here to read the full text of the scholarship.

Tax Credits for First Time Home Buyers

President Obama's economic stimulus bill, signed into law on February 17, 2009, includes a hefty tax credit for qualified first-time home buyers. It would give back up to $8000 to those who meet the requirements. To find out more about the program and to check whether you qualify, please visit FederalHousingTaxCredit.com.

City of Miami Unveils FREE Online Connection to Federal Benefits

On March 18th, City of Miami Mayor Manny Diaz and Florida Department of Children & Families Secretary George Sheldon held a press conference to inform Miami residents about utilizing the new FREE Direct Connect to Benefit Bank Services to file their income taxes and connect with state and federal benefits. The Direct Connect service aims to expedite the application and qualification for benefits and delivery of services to those who are eligible through the Benefit Bank. Programs include Food Stamps, children's health insurance, Medicaid, federal income tax preparation, and free application for federal student assistance (FAFSA), and voter registration, just to name a few. The service is available at the City of Miami's 13 NET offices and is made possible by Solutions for Progress.

To find the closest NET office or to obtain more information on the Benefit Bank services, please visit www.accessmiamijobs.com or call 311.

Volunteer In Your Community

Spring is near, a time for growth and renewal. Renew your commitment to helping your fellow man by sharing your time as a volunteer! It's is a great way to help your community and meet new people. Check out the opportunities in Dade and Broward by going to the following links: www.handsonmiami.org or www.volunteerbroward.org

  Neighbors 4 Neighbors - Board of Directors