“I FEED HEARTS, SOULS AND MINDS”
-Valencia Gunder, Founder of Make the Homeless Smile.

MIAMI LEADER:

Valencia Gunder is a native Miami girl of Bahamian decent. She grew up in Liberty City and became passionate about the problem of homelessness after she experienced it firsthand. She believes that homelessness is not only poverty, but also exclusion from the life of the community.

WHY MIAMI?
Because I AM MIAMI! I am from Miami and so is my family, this is one of the most beautiful and diverse places in the world. I’m excited to see Miami entering its cultural “Renaissance” and I’m sure with everyone working together we will see positive change on every level very soon.

WHAT IS THE MOST PRESSING ISSUE TO SOLVE ON YOUR LIST? WHY?
The problem of homelessness is at the top of my list. And it should be the number one priority for everyone. Most of the issues we are facing in Miami, we are facing as a community. People cannot participate if they do not have a place to live or don’t know where their next meal will come from. Homelessness is not only poverty – it is exclusion from the life of a community.

HOW CAN WE SOLVE IT?
Make The Homeless Smile have taken on the task to provide resources, education, jobs, and housing to combat poverty and homelessness. We assist the homeless population in every aspect. And we also help in impoverished neighborhoods in Miami by preventing homelessness and assisting families with financial literacy so that they can reassure themselves to not end up homeless again.