Miami-Dade County Parks announces the opening of the new Little Haiti Optimist Club Community Tech and Youth Center at Soar Park

Miami-Dade County Parks announces the opening of the new Little Haiti Optimist Club Community Tech and Youth Center at Soar Park

From Laura Phillips

      MIAMI, FL — The Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department and Miami-Dade County District 2 Commissioner Jean Monestime announce the opening of the new Little Haiti Optimist Club Community Tech and Youth Center at Soar Park, located at 100 NW 83 St., Miami. The Little Haiti Optimist Club remodeled the existing park building in order to provide residents and their children with computer training, educational enrichment classes, and recreational program opportunities. There will be a dedication and ribbon-cutting at 4 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. Residents and their children are encouraged to attend this event and tour the new Center.

The new Center features a reception/information desk; work stations with computers, printers and copiers; a bulletin board for posting job announcements; and other resource information.  The facility will serve as a one-stop technology center for residents seeking new careers and personal enrichment.  It will offer a wide range of classes and services that will include: Internet Access; Basic Computer Training; Job Search/Resume Writing; and

Tutoring/Homework Help.

In addition, the new Center will function as a youth club with after-school and summer camp programs for school-age children. The building contains a kids’ activity room with computer stations and work tables, and offers on-site homework help, tutoring, and a wide variety of after-school enrichment classes. The curriculum includes: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics); Computer Technology; Multi-Media/Publishing; Arts and Crafts; Ceramics/Pottery; Music Appreciation; Business Entrepreneurship; Film; and Robotics.  There will also be many outdoor programs, games, and sports activities for kids to enjoy, including a Com-munity Garden Program, yoga, self-defense, soccer, basketball and more.

The Center also provides separate lounge areas for adults and children.  The lounges include flat screen televisions to watch movies and educational programs, and library nooks filled with self-help books and other educational reading materials.

“This amazing new facility is a powerful testimony to the hard work and determination of our Parks Department and Miami-Dade County District 2 Commissioner Jean Monestime in partnership with the Little Haiti Optimist Club. They have created a space for opportunity and success, providing families with the tools that they need to improve the quality of their lives,” said Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez.

“Soar Park has long been an important hub for this neighborhood. This new Center will serve to make this neighborhood even stronger, as it will bring residents of all ages together for social, educational, and recreational enrichment for years to come,” said Commissioner Monestime.

“Who we are and the destiny of our future rests, as always, within our community and the children.  This Tech Center will give them a new opportunity to reach out and interact with the world, so as they learn and grow they can contribute back to the community. We are proud to be partners with The Little Haiti Optimist Club, Miami-Dade County, The Home Depot and our contractors in giving this community and Miami a chance for a better future,” said Tommy Valentine of Odebrecht Construction.  As the construction contractor for this project Ode-brecht donated its architectural and construction expertise, as well as new computers for the facility.

“I am thrilled to see this park improvement effort come to fruition. This is a fine example of what can be accomplished with community park partnerships. I encourage local businesses and organizations to partner with their area parks to help improve their community,” said Miami-Dade County Parks Director Jack Kardys.

The Little Haiti Optimist Club Community Tech and Youth Center is in need of program partners.  To become a program partner, donate, and/or volunteer call (305) 390-0234 or email info@littlehaitioptimist.org.

For directions and further information about Soar Park, visit www.miamidade.gov/parks or call (305) 756-4165 (Oak Grove Park).