Florida
A VR project called “Mi Familia Vota” took place in Miami, FL in 2004 aiming to prove that the Hispanic electorate was not reluctant to take an active role in American civic life. After surpassing vastly the set goals and all the expectations for this project, “Mi Familia Vota” turned into a whole new organization, Democracia USA, giving birth to an institution of unprecedented power to engage the Hispanic electorate during elections cycles. D-USA is currently based in two strategic locations: in the I-4 corridor in Central Florida (Orlando) and in a high-density Hispanic population in South Florida (Miami).
2008 – 2009 D-USA Florida Statewide successes:
- Registered 73,000 Latinos to vote between March 08 and October 08 which is 140% of the targeted goal and encouraged 26,200 of them to vote on Election Day.
- In South Florida, implemented simultaneous campaigns parallel to Voter Registration efforts, such as the Latinos Go Green, AARP, and Fair Florida Redistricting petition gathering surpassing all the established goals and educating the Hispanic community in these issues.
- Implemented The Black and Brown project in Miami, the first voter registration program in Florida to unite efforts between African Americans and Latinos through voter education and registration. Registered 4,262 voters in a period of 20 days which is 156% of the targeted goal.
- Had 99.8% acceptance rate for registrations submitted from the Supervisor of Elections.
- Broadcasted D-USA’s VR efforts in FL to national and international outlets such as Al Jazeera, The German Public Radio, The Associated Press, and Univision, among others.
- Along with Wellstone Action, implemented the D-USA Leadership Academy where 34 Hispanic community members learned how to become civically active and take leadership roles in their communities.
- Organized weekly citizenship coaching workshops for immigrants to become US citizens.
- Contacted over 2000 small Hispanic business in Tampa Bay and Metro Orlando to connect them with financial and logistical education to run their businesses successfully in the midst of a recession.
Democracia U.S.A. South Florida
2915 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 210
Miami, FL 33137
Office: (305) 573-7329
Fax: (305) 573-6551
Contact: Sandra Urquiza
E mail: surquiza@democraciausa.org
Democracia U.S.A. Central Florida
5449. Semoran Boulevard, Suite 235
Orlando, FL 32822
Office: (407) 384-6832
Cell: (786) 380-9519
Fax: (407) 384-6835
(Located in the Hoffner Commerce Center)
Contact: Luis Cerros
E mail: lcerros@democraciausa.org
Democracia U.S.A partners for Florida
- Miami Beach Hispanic Community Center
- 1701 Normandy Drive
Miami Beach, FL. 33140
Tel: (305) 867-0051 - Fax: (305) 867-0052
www.mbhcc.org - United for dignity
- (305) 623-3000
