Page 4 - Florida Sentinel 6-4-21

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Rep. Hart Warns Residents That $300 Unemployment Benefit Will Be Cut
Off On June 26th
COVID-19 wreaked havoc not only on our healthcare system but the employment of thou- sands of families. As the pandemic raged on many people found themselves without jobs and in need of assis- tance, a place many thought they’d never see.
It became crucial that we had a system able to accommodate the new influx of people needing assistance.
Unfortunately, our state’s unemployment system didn’t have the necessary technical in- frastruc- ture needed to get people the assistance they needed, resulting in people not getting their unemployment benefits in a timely manner or at
all.The Federal Govern- ment provided a series of unemployment benefits amounting to $300 per week over the course of the pandemic that were aimed at keeping people afloat. This lifeline pro- vided by the Federal Government in addition to that which was com- ing from the State, helped many people through this tumultuous year.
However, we now find ourselves in a place where our government has become lackadaisical to the COVID-19 pan- demic. There was a rush to re-open in an effort to show strength all the
while putting more peo- ple in harm’s way. This effort to act as if COVID had magically disap- peared cost people their lives and is now costing citizens their unemploy- ment benefits.
The Florida Depart- ment of Economic Op- portunity announced last week that starting June 26 the $300 dollar per week Federal pan- demic unemployment benefit that was pro- vided by the federal gov- ernment will no longer be distributed. The Gov- ernor has fully opened the State of Florida and wants to ensure people will return to work if the $300 is taken away.
Starting in Septem- ber, you will be required to provide 2 searches per week and if you are of- fered a job and do not take it, your name will be sent to the DEO and your $275 per week will be stopped.
There are still count- less people who are struggling to make ends meet, and not due to a lack of trying, but be- cause despite what many may think COVID-19 is not gone. There are still people getting infected and many are still tragi- cally losing their lives. There are bigger issues that need our attention and taking away unem- ployment benefits is not one of them.
State Representative Dianne Hart (Dem., D- 61)
COACH Foundation Hosts 9th Annual Juneteenth Celebration Online
Reverend Willie G. Dixon, Founder and CEO of COACH Foundation, Inc., has hosted an annual Juneteenth Celebration since 2012 after realizing many Tampa com- munity members were un- aware of the holiday’s significance.
The inaugural planning committee which included Candy Lowe, Life Mal- colm, Jarvis El-Amin, Dr. Chloe Coney, Richard Burton, Connie Burton, Denise Pate, William Dennis and several others, provided the solid foundation for the first Juneteenth Cele- bration in the City of Tampa.
The live event is typically standing-room-only with en- tertainment, panelists, and civic education, including mock elections. In fact, the celebration outgrew its first
venue, The Hope Center on 22nd Street and is customarily held at the Charles Davis Conference Center in Tampa.
For the past four years, the Tampa Bay Juneteenth Coalition, Ed Adams and the 100 Black Men and COACH established a part- nership to conduct June- teenth activities for the entire month of June in the Tampa Bay area.
Rev. Dixon says, “The history of Juneteenth is an in- tegral part of American his- tory and should be taught in all grade schools and colleges. I’m proud to be in partner- ship with other groups having special events to spread the word about Juneteenth.”
This year, due to the spread of COVID-19, COACH Foundation is presenting its annual event online. It takes
place Saturday, June 12 at 2:30 p. m., ET. The theme is “The Power of Black Women: Honoring Their Re- silience and Commitment to Progress,” with speakers pre- senting on empowering top- ics including Paths to Building Black Generational Wealth, Yoga for Self-Care, The Impact of Black Women in Movements, and more!
Community members are encouraged to join the COACH Juneteenth Celebra- tion online. Drawings for prizes will occur 1 week be- fore the event. Attendees must register in advance to win. The event will be virtual and livestreamed via Face- book. All are encouraged to register today at https://bit.ly/3i1IDhQ
For more info, email jdixonmph@gmail.com.
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