Meet the six volunteers who will be honored by United Way Miami for their community impact
If you haven’t heard about these six individuals yet, you probably should.
They’re part of a group who’s gone out of their way to help others in our own neighborhoods across the Sunshine State; they’re United Way Miami’s 2023 award recipients.
Each year, United Way — a network of more than 60 organizations and about 100 programs that has been improving the lives of the people of Miami-Dade County since 1924 — honors an elite group of dedicated volunteers with awards. This year, the awards ceremony will take place Tuesday at Jungle Island.
Symeria Hudson, president and CEO of United Way Miami, said in a press release she’s “proud” of the “dedication and time” that these volunteers “so generously give.”
United Way specializes in education, financial literacy, health, veteran services and disaster relief programs, so the volunteers’ work in these areas too. Here they are, in no particular order:
1. Travis L. Stokes, a manager at FIU
Stokes, a manager at the division of operations and safety at Florida International University, contributes to United Way Miami strategic mission as a member of its Impact Council. He has also participated in non-profit agency renovations, school beautification projects and teen mentorship, according to a press release.
Stokes helped with the Junior Orange Bowl, a multi-sport youth tournament in Coral Gables, and led a team in charge of developing a curriculum for PACE Miami Center for Girls, a local nonprofit that counsels girls and young women. He also evacuated Monroe County residents during Hurricane Irma in 2017.
He will receive the Dorothy Shula Award for Outstanding Volunteerism, which recognizes someone who has left a lasting positive impact on a person, group or community.
2. Adam Carlin, a managing director at Morgan Stanley
Carlin works as a managing director at Morgan Stanley, a finance company. He serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Miami, the University of Miami’s Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center Board of Overseers and the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music Dean’s Advisory Board, as well as United Way’s La Table Ronde d’un Million de Dollars.
He recently contributed to the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center to construct a 12-story new facility. Additionally, he and his wife, Chanin, gave $2 million to Sylvester’s state-of-the-art Transformational Cancer Research Building, which will open in 2024.
In 2014, Adam and Chanin founded the annual Carlin Family Prom at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, which allows children and their parents to have fun regardless of their medical concerns.
He will receive the Essie Silva Community Builder Award, which recognizes someone who has made a difference in addressing community problems affecting different cultural or ethnic groups.
3. Amanda Altman, the president and CEO of Kristi House
Amanda Altman manages Kristi House, which aims to eradicate child abuse and child sex trafficking, as its CEO and president. Before, she worked as an assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida.
Altman and her team turn victims into empowered survivors. Each year, Kristi House provides therapy, emergency assistance and other services to nearly 2,000 children and their families.
Under Altman’s leadership, Kristi House recently held a record-breaking gala, raising more than $1.1 million. Additionally, the nonprofit secured a $995,999 two-year grant for capacity building from the De Luca Foundation and partnered with the Heckscher Foundation for Children to provide additional education services.
She will receive the Monsignor Walsh Outstanding Human Services Professional Award, which recognizes a human services professional who has dedicated his or her career to helping others.
4. Florida State Senator Alexis Calatayud
Calatayud, a member of the Florida Senate for the 38th district, recently served as the director of policy and programs at the Florida Department of Education, where she worked on the state’s education system.
She will receive the Public Service Leadership Award, which recognizes someone who displays dedication to improving services for children and families.
5. Shecaria Knight, a junior at Miami Northwestern Senior High School
Shecaria began volunteering from a young age with the RJT Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit that helps families who lose children to violent crimes. Shecaria prepared care packages for hundreds of those families.
“A victim of violence, she has managed to turn her pain into purpose by helping others and serving as a youth spokesperson for RJT Foundation, sharing her story in hopes of making an impact,” the United Way Miami press release reads.
She also collected donated items for redistribution for those experiencing hardship and homelessness.
She will receive the Outstanding Youth Award, which recognizes someone 18 or younger for their leadership and service.
6. Julianna Ines Correa, a senior at Barbara Goleman Senior High School
Through her Eagle Scout Service Project for the Boy Scouts of America, Julianna created a Resource Library titled “Literature and Resources, the Gateway to Opportunities” at the Barbara Goleman Senior High School Media Center to expand resources for all students.
She will receive the Outstanding Youth Award, which recognizes someone 18 or younger for their leadership and service.
