MONROE COUNTY APRIL PROCLAMATIONS FROM THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONER’S MEETING

MONROE COUNTY, FL – Today, the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners recognized several people and entities during Wednesday’s regularly scheduled meeting.

April is Fair Housing Month

Monroe County Mayor David Rice and the Board of County Commissioners proclaimed the month of April as Fair Housing Month. Equal housing opportunity is a right guaranteed to all Americans under Title VIII of the 1968 Civil Rights Law.

“Monroe County is pleased to join in this designation since it provides an opportunity for all Americans to rededicate themselves to freedom of housing choice and reacquaint themselves with the rights and responsibilities that are theirs under the law,” said Monroe County Mayor David Rice. “We all need to share in the fight to ensure fair housing is a reality for all residents.”

The Housing Authority of Monroe County provides fair housing education and outreach services for the County of Monroe. For more information, visit www.kwha.org.

Rylan Chapa Recognition

Marathon High School Senior Rylan Chapa became the first Monroe County girl’s weightlifter to win an FHSAA, Florida High School Athletic Association State Championship, earning the gold medal in the 101-pound weight class by snatch lifting 100 pounds. The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners recognized her accomplishments at today’s meeting. Monroe County Commissioner Michelle Coldiron said Chapa’s commitment and dedication inspire others, and she serves as a positive role model to other students. She also participates in volleyball, tennis, and track and field while maintaining a 4.0-grade point average and is a Florida High School Athletic Association Student Athlete Advisory Council member.

April is Child Abuse Prevention and Volunteer Appreciation Month on behalf of the Florida Guardian ad Litem Program

Monroe County Mayor David Rice and the Board of County Commissioners proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention and Volunteer Appreciation Month on behalf of the Florida Guardian ad Litem (GAL) program. For more than 40 years, GAL has provided the most vulnerable children in Florida with an adult from their community who is a consistent, positive presence in the child’s life and offers independent legal advocacy for hundreds of thousands of vulnerable children in Florida. In 2021, GAL had more than 13,000 volunteers, and those volunteers advocated for more than 37,000 children in Florida. In Monroe County, GAL has 80 volunteers who advocate for 172 children. In addition, GAL’s pro-bono attorneys sacrifice time worth more than $3 million annually to the State of Florida.

“Studies show that children with a Guardian ad Litem are more likely to be adopted, half as likely to re-enter foster care, less likely to spend time in long-term foster care, more likely to have a permanency plan, and more likely to perform well in school,” said Monroe County GAL Director Alexsa Leto.

To volunteer or for more information on GAL in Monroe County, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/GAL.

April 24-30: National Crime Victims Rights Week

Monroe County Mayor David Rice and the Board of County Commissioners declared April 24-30 as National Crime Victims Rights Week in Monroe County. This is the 50th anniversary of creating the first three victim assistance organizations in the United States. Ten years later, the President’s Task Force on Victims of Crime issued a landmark report that guided the creation of victims’ rights and established the professionalism of the victim services field. Today, the movement encompasses thousands of advocacy and service organizations that address the full continuum of victims’ needs.

“We express our sincere gratitude for our community members, victim service providers, and criminal justice professionals committed to improving our response to crime victims so they may find assistance, support, justice, and peace,” said Rice.

Pictured: Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Paul Bean and Victim Advocate Carol Albury-Johnson accepted the proclamation.

Monroe County Recognizes Juneteenth as an annual holiday

June 19 is officially Juneteenth National Independence Day, a U.S. Federal Holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. Monroe County will recognize this day annually. This year, offices will be closed Monday, June 20, 2022. Monroe County meetings, events, and holidays can be found at www.monroecounty-fl.gov/calendar.

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