The Civic Engagement Academy students at Bob Graham Education Center are tackling a project in an effort to end homelessness in the Greater Miami area.
The students presented their project during the February 6 Miami Lakes Town Council meeting, where they asked the town to place four parking meters artistically designed by Romero Brito at the town’s parks and recreation centers to educate residents about helping homeless people get back on their feet.
The four meters, which would be installed and maintained by Miami-Dade Homeless Trust, will be placed at Miami Lakes Picnic Park West, Miami Lakes Optimist Park, Miami Lakes Youth Center and Royal Oaks Park.
The students said Miami Lakes is joining Miami, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Bal Harbour and Aventura in raising funds and awareness for homeless issues.
They indicated the meter program raises an estimated $10,000 per year but the amount is not enough to end homelessness.
“As future leaders of America, we feel that we have an opportunity to bring these issues to light, create awareness and help with solutions,” the students said.
The students said they visited the most popular places in Miami Lakes and decided on the four locations for the meters. They said Royal Oaks park, which is often filled with passionate soccer and football fans, is a good location because of the high traffic every afternoon in the park.
Miami Lakes Optimist Park, centrally located in Miami Lakes, and home to many baseball games, is also a good location as well as Miami Lakes Picnic Park West, which is home to a popular children’s playground and the Farmers Market.
The Youth Center, which is called the Spot, is a place where teens hangout and interact with counselors, the students said.
Council members praised the students for their efforts to end homelessness and embraced their locations to place the meters.
“I support the initiative and will be moving the item forward on their behalf to fully implement it in the town,” said Mayor Manny Cid.