Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Committee approves Miami Children’s Initiative
Written by ERICA LORET DE MOLA
Florida International University
MIAMI — A 10-year project intended to enhance the lives of Liberty City’s young people has passed a key Miami-Dade County Commission committee vote, but was deferred at the full board of county commissioners meeting on Tuesday, April 20.
The Miami Children’s Initiative, a wide-ranging program intended to bring Liberty City kindergarten-to-college educational, developmental and health care programs to the underserved area, was approved by the county Housing and Community Development Committee last month.
Irene Taylor Wooten, a special assistant for social services in Miami-Dade County Manager George Burgess’ office, was not available to explain the deferral. But her assistant, Sonia Grice, said the delay was probably minor, and that the plan would likely be taken up next month.
The program is modeled after the successful Harlem Children’s Zone in New York. That program serves more than 17, 000, providing them, as well as their parents, with developmental and educational programs from childbirth to adulthood.
The HCZ programs provide expectant parents, parents of toddlers, and children at all school levels, from pre-K to college.
One program, the nine-week “Baby College,” teaches parents of youngsters up to three years old effective discipline techniques, and encourages them to read to their children.
Elementary, middle, and high-school level children involved with the HCZ are enrolled in “Promise Academy” schools, offering longer school days and a longer school year.
Middle-school students receive free medical and dental care, healthy meals and an after-school program.
The “College Success Office” gets students involved in community-service projects, and places them into internships. HCZ brags that it has sent some 600 students to college, and that graduates starting school last fall garnered more than $6.3 million in scholarships.
The Florida Legislature enacted a measure two years ago authorizing creation of similar children’s initiatives throughout the state, and creating a process to identify neighborhoods in which they would be based. The legislation allocated $3.6 million to pay for the first three years of the Miami initiative.
The project will be based in the state Department of Children and Family Services, and managed by the Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida, a 20-year-old Tallahassee-based public-private partnership that supports community-based programs for at-risk children and their families.
It's real
So yes i got published! Twice! It's extremely exciting to see my name on a byline, i can't even explain how happy i am.
This class and professor Reisner have given me an opportunity unlike any other. We, as a class, got the chance to put Liberty City back on the map, and i just heard from Reisner today that people are actualy reading and paying attention!
My stories have gotten a lot of hits on the website, and i'm just really excited that this little project, that some thought would just fizzle, has actually turned into this huge, incredible, actual thing!
T he focus now is to continue with stories throughout the summer. I'll be starting an internship in which we act as guides and editors for the newcomers, and also get to write stories assigned to us from the staff at the South FL Times.
I've come a long way this semester. From struggling so much with my first story, I learned a lot along the way. I learned to be persistant and stay on top of things. I got really good at turning stories around quickly. I think i became an actual reporter! It's kind of crazy and wonderful all at the same time.
I've struggled and also been really successful with my stories. I hope this is just the beginning, and i'm excited to see what's next.
This class and professor Reisner have given me an opportunity unlike any other. We, as a class, got the chance to put Liberty City back on the map, and i just heard from Reisner today that people are actualy reading and paying attention!
My stories have gotten a lot of hits on the website, and i'm just really excited that this little project, that some thought would just fizzle, has actually turned into this huge, incredible, actual thing!
T he focus now is to continue with stories throughout the summer. I'll be starting an internship in which we act as guides and editors for the newcomers, and also get to write stories assigned to us from the staff at the South FL Times.
I've come a long way this semester. From struggling so much with my first story, I learned a lot along the way. I learned to be persistant and stay on top of things. I got really good at turning stories around quickly. I think i became an actual reporter! It's kind of crazy and wonderful all at the same time.
I've struggled and also been really successful with my stories. I hope this is just the beginning, and i'm excited to see what's next.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
PUBLISHED!
Company treats employees like family
Contributed by ERICA LORET de MOLA
Florida International University
A Liberty City company that once struggled to stay afloat has become
one of the most successful health-food growers, manufacturers and
processors in the southeast, turning its success to helping the
community.
Leasa Industries employees produce bean and alfalfa sprouts, snow peas
and other vegetables; such Chinese food items as egg roll and won ton
wraps, fortune cookies and tofu; and stir fry soup mixes. Clients
include Publix, Winn-Dixie, Wal-Mart, Sedanos, Sysco Food Service,
among others.
Not bad for a company founded in 1977 with $15,000 in money borrowed from friends and family by a man who
emigrated from Jamaica with his now deceased wife Einez, three children and $50 in his pocket only a year earlier.
Today, Leasa founder George Yap repays the opportunities he enjoyed by reaching out to the community. The 65-or-so
employees at Leasa’s 30,000-square-foot plant in the Poinciana Industrial Park, who mostly hail from Liberty City, Little
Haiti and Overtown, include ex-convicts, high school dropouts and mothers dependent on government aid.
One recent hire was an ex-con who spent 20 years in prison, Yap says.
“I was rich in Jamaica, but I lost everything so we came here for a better life. I was jobless, and my wife had to work two
jobs to support the family,” Yap says. “Everyone makes mistakes, but everyone deserves a second chance. I got a second
chance when I came to this country.”
The Yaps’ community commitment does not go unnoticed,
“I have known about Leasa Industries for 18 years and George Yap has always been very sensitive to the community in
ensuring that the people that work for his organization are successful,” says Elaine Black, president the Liberty City Trust.
“He has grown his business and has allowed for his employees to grow with it.”
Leasa – the company name comes from the first initials of the family’s first names: L. George, wife Einez, and children
Andrew, Sean and Allison – has been recognized by the Florida Regional Minority Business Council, Inc. Magazine,
Harvard Business School and the U.S. Department of Commerce, among others.
Employees say the fact the Yaps respect their workers is part of their success. Employees, for example are allowed to
take time off if they need to take their children to the doctor or have a court appearance, as long they arrange the time off
in advance.
South Florida Times: Miami , Broward, Palm Beach, Breaking News & Weather at SFLTimes.com
http://www.sfltimes.com Powered by Joomla! Generated: 21 April, 2010, 16:32
One of those employees is Charles Mims, a Liberty City resident and U.S. Air Force veteran who’s been with the
company for about 17 years and supervises the vegetable department.
“They treat everyone the same way here. They give people opportunities that most people don’t give,” says Mims, recalling
a time when the Yaps loaned him $1,500 when he needed to tend to family matters in Georgia, imposing no repayment
schedule.
Mims says the Yaps’ emphasis on discipline and worth ethic helped him, as well.
“I have learned to be patient,” he says. “I like to teach people, and show them how to do the work.”
Sabrina Williams, who makes sure every stage of production – planting, growing and packaging goes smoothly recalls
how the Yaps gave her a job - even after they fired her.
Williams, who also lives in Liberty City, worked for the company in the early ‘90s, but was let go after an altercation with
another employee. She returned in 2008 and asked for her job back. Two years later she’s a supervisor.
“They understand that everyone deserves a second chance. I love my job, and I don’t plan on letting it go,” says Williams.
Joyce Missick, an 11-year veteran, simply calls the Yaps family.
“They try to help you out and keep you out of trouble. Mrs. Yap was like everybody’s mother, Mr. Yap is the dad, and that’s
my big brother,” Missick says, pointing to Andrew Yap, who became company president five years ago after the same
year his mother died.
The younger Yap, also an adjunct professor of business and marketing at Florida International University, carries on his
parents’ values.
“We are bringing economic diversity into Liberty City,” he says. “The only thing some have here is a bicycle or a bus. We do
what we can to help them out.”
Elore006@Fiu.edu
South Florida Times: Miami , Broward, Palm Beach, Breaking News & Weather at SFLTimes.com
http://www.sfltimes.com Powered by Joomla! Generated: 21 April, 2010, 16:32
Contributed by ERICA LORET de MOLA
Florida International University
A Liberty City company that once struggled to stay afloat has become
one of the most successful health-food growers, manufacturers and
processors in the southeast, turning its success to helping the
community.
Leasa Industries employees produce bean and alfalfa sprouts, snow peas
and other vegetables; such Chinese food items as egg roll and won ton
wraps, fortune cookies and tofu; and stir fry soup mixes. Clients
include Publix, Winn-Dixie, Wal-Mart, Sedanos, Sysco Food Service,
among others.
Not bad for a company founded in 1977 with $15,000 in money borrowed from friends and family by a man who
emigrated from Jamaica with his now deceased wife Einez, three children and $50 in his pocket only a year earlier.
Today, Leasa founder George Yap repays the opportunities he enjoyed by reaching out to the community. The 65-or-so
employees at Leasa’s 30,000-square-foot plant in the Poinciana Industrial Park, who mostly hail from Liberty City, Little
Haiti and Overtown, include ex-convicts, high school dropouts and mothers dependent on government aid.
One recent hire was an ex-con who spent 20 years in prison, Yap says.
“I was rich in Jamaica, but I lost everything so we came here for a better life. I was jobless, and my wife had to work two
jobs to support the family,” Yap says. “Everyone makes mistakes, but everyone deserves a second chance. I got a second
chance when I came to this country.”
The Yaps’ community commitment does not go unnoticed,
“I have known about Leasa Industries for 18 years and George Yap has always been very sensitive to the community in
ensuring that the people that work for his organization are successful,” says Elaine Black, president the Liberty City Trust.
“He has grown his business and has allowed for his employees to grow with it.”
Leasa – the company name comes from the first initials of the family’s first names: L. George, wife Einez, and children
Andrew, Sean and Allison – has been recognized by the Florida Regional Minority Business Council, Inc. Magazine,
Harvard Business School and the U.S. Department of Commerce, among others.
Employees say the fact the Yaps respect their workers is part of their success. Employees, for example are allowed to
take time off if they need to take their children to the doctor or have a court appearance, as long they arrange the time off
in advance.
South Florida Times: Miami , Broward, Palm Beach, Breaking News & Weather at SFLTimes.com
http://www.sfltimes.com Powered by Joomla! Generated: 21 April, 2010, 16:32
One of those employees is Charles Mims, a Liberty City resident and U.S. Air Force veteran who’s been with the
company for about 17 years and supervises the vegetable department.
“They treat everyone the same way here. They give people opportunities that most people don’t give,” says Mims, recalling
a time when the Yaps loaned him $1,500 when he needed to tend to family matters in Georgia, imposing no repayment
schedule.
Mims says the Yaps’ emphasis on discipline and worth ethic helped him, as well.
“I have learned to be patient,” he says. “I like to teach people, and show them how to do the work.”
Sabrina Williams, who makes sure every stage of production – planting, growing and packaging goes smoothly recalls
how the Yaps gave her a job - even after they fired her.
Williams, who also lives in Liberty City, worked for the company in the early ‘90s, but was let go after an altercation with
another employee. She returned in 2008 and asked for her job back. Two years later she’s a supervisor.
“They understand that everyone deserves a second chance. I love my job, and I don’t plan on letting it go,” says Williams.
Joyce Missick, an 11-year veteran, simply calls the Yaps family.
“They try to help you out and keep you out of trouble. Mrs. Yap was like everybody’s mother, Mr. Yap is the dad, and that’s
my big brother,” Missick says, pointing to Andrew Yap, who became company president five years ago after the same
year his mother died.
The younger Yap, also an adjunct professor of business and marketing at Florida International University, carries on his
parents’ values.
“We are bringing economic diversity into Liberty City,” he says. “The only thing some have here is a bicycle or a bus. We do
what we can to help them out.”
Elore006@Fiu.edu
South Florida Times: Miami , Broward, Palm Beach, Breaking News & Weather at SFLTimes.com
http://www.sfltimes.com Powered by Joomla! Generated: 21 April, 2010, 16:32
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