Educating and creating a brighter future for Florida’s children was the theme of the Aventura Marketing Council’s July breakfast meeting hosted by the City of Sunny Isles Beach featuring David Lawrence Jr., founding chair of The Children’s Trust and president of The Early Childhood Initiative Foundation.

 

AMC chair Cliff Schulman of Weiss, Serota, Helfman helped welcome hundreds of business and community leaders gathered at the Newport Beachside Hotel & Resort, who were treated to special entertainment provided by the Sunny Isles Beach Camp Chorus and Violin Ensemble directed by Naomia Pierre-Toussaint and Rosa Rabinovich.

 

The meeting also provided a forum for Sunny Isles Beach Mayor Norman S. Edelcup to update the audience about the city’s impressive progress ranging from capital improvements and new park construction – to beautification projects and enriching cultural programs, all achieved while maintaining one of the lowest tax rates in Miami-Dade County. 

 

Sunny Isles Beach Commission members including Vice Mayor Lewis Thaler, Comm. Roslyn Brezin and Comm. Gerry Goodman joined in highlighting the merits of Sunny Isles Beach – becoming internationally renowned as “Florida’s Riviera.”

 

“We recently celebrated the city’s 13^th anniversary with thrilling off-shore power boat races,” Edelcup said. “The next big event will be the third annual Sunny Isles Beach Jazz Fest Concert Series Oct. 15-17.”

 

Sharing the goal of The Children’s Trust to provide educational opportunities, the Sunny Isles Beach City Commission recently approved a college scholarship program for high school students. The city has also made generous contributions to the Sunny Isles Beach K-8 Community School and Alonzo and Tracy Mourning High School to support the educational endeavors of young residents and future leaders.

 

Turning to the topic Building a Children’s Movement in Florida, Lawrence explained The Children’s Movement of Florida evolved from the highly successful August 2008 reauthorization campaign he led with assistance from chief strategist Sergio Bendixen for The Children’s Trust -  a dedicated source of early intervention and prevention funding for children in Miami-Dade County.

A statewide movement focusing on children’s causes that does not advocate new taxes, The Children's Movement of Florida is built around the belief that Florida's children must be viewed as “the highest priority when it comes to receiving a full and fair share of the state's resources.”

Focus groups and surveys were held throughout Florida - plus elected officials, civic, business and community leaders collaborated to identify priority issues including: health insurance for every child in the state; screening and treatment for children with special needs; a higher quality Pre-K program; high-quality parent skill-building programs; and high-quality mentoring programs.

After garnering enthusiastic support for The Children's Movement from Democrats, Republicans and Independents, Lawrence helped develop a steering committee to evaluate and formulate plans of action.

 

“In September, from Pensacola to Key West, we will launch The Children’s Movement in Florida,” Lawrence said. “I’m frequently told I’m doing noble work - but it’s practical work for the future of our community and our country. If we want Florida to be a safe and secure place for our children and grandchildren, we need to grow a greater proportion of successful people. It’s all about early investment. If children get off to the right start in life, chances are they’ll have wind at their backs to move forward their entire lives.”