Vivian P. Levy, 50, chairs the Town of Miami Lakes’ Special Needs Advisory Board. It is a volunteer position. Levy is an accounts payable associate for the Southeast Centers property management firm in Coral Gables. She is married to Carlos Levy, 49. They have two children: Charles Levy, 27, and Ryan Levy, 17, who attends South Florida Autism Charter School.
Q: Where are you from, and what is your background?
A: I was born in Puerto Rico to Cuban parents. I grew up in Virginia and Louisiana and moved to Miami in 1988. I graduated from Florida International University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and moved to Miami Lakes in 1999.
Q: What do you most like about Miami Lakes?
A: I love the small-town feel. I love the community because it is involved with the government and the committees are run by residents. And I love the cows.
Q: What do you dislike about town?
A: The traffic.
Q: As chair of the Miami Lakes Special Needs Advisory Board, what are the challenges and what do you hope to accomplish?
A: We try to educate everyone to be more inclusive and understanding, and welcome people with all abilities. Our mission is to create a model town for inclusion and to help people with unique abilities participate in activities the town has to offer.
Q: What is your biggest accomplishment, whether in your personal life or career?
A: The biggest accomplishment, and I didn’t do it all by myself, others on the board helped, was creating the town’s Special Needs Registry program with [Miami-Dade] police. The people who are participating have a sticker in front of their homes and wear a bracelet to let the police know [that residents] have special needs. That can help deescalate a situation and help them interact with the police. People with special needs sometimes wander off and get lost. The program can really help them stay safe and come home safe.
Q: Do you have a fantasy career?
A: Travel agent. I love to travel.
Q: What are you reading and what podcasts are you listening to?
A: “Armchair Expert” [podcast] hosted by Dax Shepard. He is [an actor and] a recovering drug addict who interviews musicians, politicians, activists and athletes. I like his show.
Q: What have you binge-watched on TV?
A: “The Handmaids Tale” [on Hulu]. It’s a fictional dark drama with some interesting characters. Their acting is awesome.
Q: Where did you last travel to on vacation?
A: My family just got back from Beaver Creek, Colorado. I did white water rafting. It was fun.