Commission Speech
Good morning, & Thank you for this opportunity, and for your consideration.
My name is Laura Carolina Sala.
I’ll start by saying… to know who I am, you would need to know, I’ve defied odds my
entire life & I’m so grateful for every challenge that has come my way.
While in high school, I learned first-hand what it’s like to not have the security of a
healthy parent or the stability of having a consistent roof over your head.
I quickly learned to survive!
After graduating from the International Baccalaureate magnet program, I started my
first Bachelors in Political Science at the University of Florida. I wanted to help people
improve their quality of life and help change the world in my own way. I worked 3
jobs to make ends meet and put myself completely through college. Resilience and
perseverance is in my nature. My preferred form of communication, needed to be
one that is universally understood, transcending languages and cultures. I chose
visual arts, and also completed a Bachelors of Fine Art.
After graduating with both degrees, jobs were hard to come by, given we were in a
recession. I put my belongings in a suitcase and moved to New York city. My survival
skills, served me well. There, I worked my way to my dream job at the time, which was
to work for the United Nations. I worked in Humanitarian Aid, helping victims of
disasters all over the world. I was then selected to work in the field, on assignment in
Peacekeeping for Somalia. An unbelievable experience with its share of challenges.
After living in Africa for almost a year, I needed to come back home. Coconut Grove
always felt like home to me, it was where I went to Middle School, attending GW
Carver, and Cocowalk was where I got my first job.
Living in Coconut Grove always felt like a distant dream.
Coming full circle, after traveling to over 50 countries, I purchased my home in West
Coconut Grove at the age of 26 and there is no where I rather live. Professionally, I
completed a Masters’ degree in International Relations and Conflict Resolution.
Working in Public Affairs uniquely qualifies me for this vacancy despite having no
previous political ties. I believe most conflicts at their core are often just a form of
communication failure and with tact, empathetic understanding and compromise,
I’m certain all can be resolved amicably.
Currently, I am the Public Affairs & Communications Director for the Ladies
Empowerment & Action Program, (LEAP) a local non-profit that offers justice-impacted
women a real second chance at life.
Coconut Grove and the people that founded it, have also defied odds.
While making physical improvements in the West Grove area is necessary and a great start, best
practices show that community-based poverty reduction approaches are the most
effective. Homelessness, Crime & Poverty are a few of the concerns that
unfortunately plague our district.
As recently as Christmas Eve, a mother wept as her 30 year-old son was shot to death,
just a few blocks away, close to one of the priciest luxury real estate markets in Miami.
Safety for all is imperative. We can do better.
The resources exist.
We need equitable solutions.
We need to invest in the people directly. We need to determine their needs and
provide targeted support. Whether it’s access to health care, child care, capacity
building, financial literacy, work readiness programs or entrepreneurship classes.
Funds spent directly on the people will offer the community immeasurable, long-term
value in return.
I want to be clear & effective. No one chooses to be sick. No one chooses to be an
addict. No one chooses to be homeless or to be born into poverty.
These are byproducts of more complex failures of the systems
we have in place for hundreds of years.
So where do we go from here?
I propose we meet people where they are. If they need a drug rehabilitation
program, lets take them there. Let’s ensure we bridge the gaps in the system in such
a way that the only available option left is for the people of our district to not only
succeed, but to thrive.
Let’s also ensure future generations do not face the same obstacles. We need after
school programs that teach the values we want reflected in our communities.
By no means is this a quick fix. But it’s one way we can start building a solid foundation
for an equitable future for all. Together.
With my ability to truly understand people from different backgrounds, my ability to
reach equitable resolutions and the love I have for our community, I am certain I
would be an asset to this commission. Serving my community has always been a part
of who I am, and I hope to be in a position to continue to serve ours more directly.
Thank you for your time.
Only parts of speech were delivered on January 7th 2023 due to Special Commission Meeting time constraints.
My name is Laura Carolina Sala.
I’ll start by saying… to know who I am, you would need to know, I’ve defied odds my
entire life & I’m so grateful for every challenge that has come my way.
While in high school, I learned first-hand what it’s like to not have the security of a
healthy parent or the stability of having a consistent roof over your head.
I quickly learned to survive!
After graduating from the International Baccalaureate magnet program, I started my
first Bachelors in Political Science at the University of Florida. I wanted to help people
improve their quality of life and help change the world in my own way. I worked 3
jobs to make ends meet and put myself completely through college. Resilience and
perseverance is in my nature. My preferred form of communication, needed to be
one that is universally understood, transcending languages and cultures. I chose
visual arts, and also completed a Bachelors of Fine Art.
After graduating with both degrees, jobs were hard to come by, given we were in a
recession. I put my belongings in a suitcase and moved to New York city. My survival
skills, served me well. There, I worked my way to my dream job at the time, which was
to work for the United Nations. I worked in Humanitarian Aid, helping victims of
disasters all over the world. I was then selected to work in the field, on assignment in
Peacekeeping for Somalia. An unbelievable experience with its share of challenges.
After living in Africa for almost a year, I needed to come back home. Coconut Grove
always felt like home to me, it was where I went to Middle School, attending GW
Carver, and Cocowalk was where I got my first job.
Living in Coconut Grove always felt like a distant dream.
Coming full circle, after traveling to over 50 countries, I purchased my home in West
Coconut Grove at the age of 26 and there is no where I rather live. Professionally, I
completed a Masters’ degree in International Relations and Conflict Resolution.
Working in Public Affairs uniquely qualifies me for this vacancy despite having no
previous political ties. I believe most conflicts at their core are often just a form of
communication failure and with tact, empathetic understanding and compromise,
I’m certain all can be resolved amicably.
Currently, I am the Public Affairs & Communications Director for the Ladies
Empowerment & Action Program, (LEAP) a local non-profit that offers justice-impacted
women a real second chance at life.
Coconut Grove and the people that founded it, have also defied odds.
While making physical improvements in the West Grove area is necessary and a great start, best
practices show that community-based poverty reduction approaches are the most
effective. Homelessness, Crime & Poverty are a few of the concerns that
unfortunately plague our district.
As recently as Christmas Eve, a mother wept as her 30 year-old son was shot to death,
just a few blocks away, close to one of the priciest luxury real estate markets in Miami.
Safety for all is imperative. We can do better.
The resources exist.
We need equitable solutions.
We need to invest in the people directly. We need to determine their needs and
provide targeted support. Whether it’s access to health care, child care, capacity
building, financial literacy, work readiness programs or entrepreneurship classes.
Funds spent directly on the people will offer the community immeasurable, long-term
value in return.
I want to be clear & effective. No one chooses to be sick. No one chooses to be an
addict. No one chooses to be homeless or to be born into poverty.
These are byproducts of more complex failures of the systems
we have in place for hundreds of years.
So where do we go from here?
I propose we meet people where they are. If they need a drug rehabilitation
program, lets take them there. Let’s ensure we bridge the gaps in the system in such
a way that the only available option left is for the people of our district to not only
succeed, but to thrive.
Let’s also ensure future generations do not face the same obstacles. We need after
school programs that teach the values we want reflected in our communities.
By no means is this a quick fix. But it’s one way we can start building a solid foundation
for an equitable future for all. Together.
With my ability to truly understand people from different backgrounds, my ability to
reach equitable resolutions and the love I have for our community, I am certain I
would be an asset to this commission. Serving my community has always been a part
of who I am, and I hope to be in a position to continue to serve ours more directly.
Thank you for your time.
Only parts of speech were delivered on January 7th 2023 due to Special Commission Meeting time constraints.