(L to R): Robyn Hankerson-Printemps, Community Relations Manager, Publix Super Markets, Inc. , Miami Division; Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner Pamela Beasley-Pittman; Niki Lopez, lead artist, project curator/manager/art director/designer, and art director and designer for the ‘I Have A Dream Gallery’ and the Martin Luther King, Jr. recognition wall presented by Spirit Airlines at the Y at Sistrunk; Gabe Ochoa, senior vice president, YMCA of South Florida; Kelly Williams-Puccio, executive director, Publix Super Markets Charities; Mixed Media Artist Work Art Wall Khaulah Naima Nuruddin; YMCA of South Florida President and CEO Sheryl Woods.
Publix Super Markets Charities has donated $250,000 to support the new 65,000-sq.-ft., state-of-the-art, four-story L.A. Lee YMCA/Mizell Community Center on Sistrunk Boulevard.
“Publix Charities is proud to support the YMCA of South Florida as it strives to build healthy, confident and secure children, families and communities,” Publix Super Markets Charities Executive Director Kelly Williams-Puccio said. “The L.A. Lee YMCA/Mizell Community Center is a shining example of Publix Charities’ and the Y’s commitment to our communities.”
(L to R): Cutting the ribbon: Robyn Hankerson-Printemps, Community Relations Manager, Publix Super Markets, Inc., Miami Division; Kelly Williams-Puccio, executive director, Publix Super Markets Charities; YMCA of South Florida President and CEO Sheryl Woods; Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner Pamela Beasley-Pittman; Gabe Ochoa, senior vice president, YMCA of South Florida
The L.A. Lee YMCA will have a significant impact on the community, economically and culturally. This community gathering place nurtures the potential of local youth by providing a positive environment and opportunities and creates a place that provides complete health and wellness programs for kids, families, adults and seniors; afterschool programs, community events and meeting space; a preschool; workforce education through Broward College’s Broward UP; as well as making retail space available to encourage economic growth; and bringing up to 100 jobs to the historically Black community’s main street. There’s also a four-lane, 25-meter swimming pool where children in the community learn to swim and police and EMTs train. There’s a full court basketball court, which can be reconfigured as a volleyball court, a fully equipped fitness center and the Victory Black Box Theatre, which brings cultural arts to the Sistrunk community through programming, arts education and knowledge of behind-the-scenes performing arts.
Before building the L.A. Lee YMCA/Mizell Community Center, the Y met with the local community for their input on the new facility. As part of that, the Y captured the words that came up most during those discussions and those words now adorn the Word Art Wall in the main lobby, which is generously supported by Publix Super Markets Charities. Among the words are unity, memories, history, future and hope.
(L to R): YMCA of South Florida President and CEO Sheryl Woods and Dr. Naomi Cobb
“Words tell a story and that’s why it was so important to have community input because this is their Y,” YMCA President and CEO Sheryl Woods said. “We are so grateful for the support Publix and Publix Charities have given us over the years. They are an amazing partner, and we appreciate all that they do to make our local communities the best that they can be.”
Most recently, through its partnership with Local 10 News to address food insecurity and raise awareness about the plight of hunger affecting schools, neighborhoods and communities, Publix Super Markets coordinated a donation of food and non-perishable items to the Y’s new La Bodega community food pantry located in the Village of Allapattah YMCA in Miami. In addition to weekday food distributions, other services available include healthy food education, healthy cooking demonstrations, food home deliveries, dietician services, a community refrigerator with access to prepared food at all hours and access to the YMCA Health Navigation Program.
(L to R): Niki Lopez, lead artist, project curator/manager/art director/designer, and art director and designer for the ‘I Have A Dream Gallery’ and the Martin Luther King, Jr. recognition wall presented by Spirit Airlines at the Y at Sistrunk; Mixed Media Artist Work Art Wall Khaulah Naima Nuruddin
Publix Super Markets Charities is involved in several other Y initiatives including water safety and drowning prevention programs, Healthy Kids Day, and the Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Inspirational Weekend.
History of Publix/Publix Charities
In 1966, Publix’s founder George W. Jenkins, affectionately knows as Mr. George, established a charitable foundation with the intention of caring for his community—and with a vision that the giving would continue long after he was gone. Today, Publix Super Markets Charities remains committed to serving the communities in which Publix operates, allowing the legacy of giving to continue. By supporting a variety of nonprofit organizions engaged in life-changing work, Publix Charities makes a far-reaching impact throughout the southeast, supporting a variety of nonprofit organizations focusing on youth development, education, reducing hunger, and alleviating homelessness. This impact has resulted in stronger communities infused with hope and better prepared for a brighter future.
About the YMCA of South Florida
The Y is a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Every day, the Y works hard to build healthy, confident, connected and secure children, adults, families and communities through over 200 afterschool, preschool, special needs, sports, camp and youth programs, family centers, and senior health outreach sites. To learn more, visit www.ymcasouthflorida.org, connect on Facebook or Twitter, or call a Y near you.
(Photo credit: Downtown Photo)
