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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBack-Up DocumentsFlorida House of Representatives Representative Nicholas X. Duran District 112 District Office: 2100 Coral Way, Ste. 302 Miami, FL 33145 (305) 860-7119 (305) 860-7121 (fax) Nicholas. duran@myfloridahouse. gov April 26, 2021 To Whom It May Concern: Tallahassee Office: 406 House Office Building 402 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300 (850) 717-5112 This letter serves to express my support for Mr. Ijamyn Gray and his Youth Escape Second Chance Opportunity program. I met Mr. Gray advocating at several neighborhood meetings. I have found him to be a noble, hard- working, and determined member of our community. Last year I hired Mr. Gray as part of my campaign team while running for a third term as State Representative for District 112. Mr. Gray is a strong advocate and organizer, who channeled his energies toward creating Encouraging Dreamers Breaking Barriers, an organization that is focused on providing after school programs and mentoring. He is a man with integrity and a caring family man, who is a contributing member to the community. It is with this knowledge, that I write in support of Mr. Gray's carwash endeavor the Youth Escape Second Chance Opportunity program. This program will support additional job opportunities to the youth in our community throughout the year. Please do not hesitate to contact me at 305.860.7119 should you have any questions or concerns. Sincerely, State Representative House District 112 •Health & Human Services Committee* •Appropriations Committee •Finance & Facilities Subcommittee •Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee +Joint Legislative Budget Committee *Democratic ranking member FUTURES INTERNATIONAL April 27, 2021 To Whom It May Concern: As the Project Manager for the Miami -Dade County Anti -Violence Initiative and Director of the South Florida Reentry Task Force, it is with great pleasure that I recommend Ijamyn Gray. Ijamyn has always displayed a high degree of integrity, responsibility, and ambition. He is a leader rather than a follower. In addition to his excellent business accomplishments, he has proven his leadership ability by starting a non-profit organization, Encouraging Dreamers Breaking Barriers, which bridges the gap and makes positive impacts in the lives of youth living in underprivileged communities. Mr. Gray's organization provides job opportunities to these youth throughout the year. Moreover, they house a second chance job training initiative that will change lives for youth and young adults between the ages of 16-24. Encouraging Dreamers Breaking Barriers manages and recruits for this learn and earn program. Mr. Gray has worked with me in the past and demonstrated his strong work ethic and we support his carwash vision to bring this Youth Escape Second Chance Opportunity Program to Miami. Ijamyn would be an asset to any organization, and I am happy to give him my wholehearted endorsement. If you have any questions regarding my recommendation of Mr. Gray, please don't hesitate to call me at 305.776.8566. Best regards, Wayne E. Rawlins President Global Image Consulting, LLC 4537 SW 134th Avenue Miramar, FL 33027 (754) 227-9579 - Corporate Headquarters Moving With A Purpose To Whom It May Concern: This letter is to serve as a letter of support for Mr. Ijamyn Gray and his business, Encouraging Dreamers, Breaking Barriers, a youth empowerment agency. From the time that I have known Mr. Gray, he has been dedicated to uplifting the lives of young people in his community. From providing Christmas toys to needy families, taking youths to various community excursions and other activities designed to enrich troubled youth, Mr. Gray has worked to provide second chances to those who may have made bad decisions but are seeking to improve their lot in life. To that end, I would encourage you to give Mr. Gray and his program the opportunity he deserves to continue impacting real people in a real way. Sincerely, Elvin J. Dowling 11 }i/ .Gl(i }a i age LL .cor Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church Macedonia %fissionary Baptist Church of Miami, Inc 3515 Douglas Road, Miami, FL 33133 Tel. (305) 445-6459 Email: info{a macedoniambcmiami.com Web: www.macedoniambcmiami.com 12everencfLance B. Bai[ey Sr., (Pastor Board of Directors Chairperson, Ms. Loretta S. Whittle Chairman, Deacon Board, Mr. Early Fleming Church CCer/, 9bls. Dorothy L..7fenry To whom it may concern, I'm writing to attest to the character of Ijamyn Gray who's been a member of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church Inc. since 2003. He's been under my leadership since September 2018. Mr. Gray has been an active member of our church participating in youth ministry, leadership programs and mentoring. He attends service weekly. He's has been an excellent role model for those seeking a more active and rewarding relationship with God. He's very active in his foundation "Encouraging Dreamers Breaking Barriers" for the youth of the Coconut Grove community. I have been pleased to witness Mr. Gray's spiritual growth and his efforts to reach and teach the youth of our community. I look forward to seeing his growth blossom further. I respect him as a person of good moral and character and as a leader in our congregation and community. Yours in Christ, Reverend Lance B. Bailey Sr., Pastor City of Miami April 28, 2021 To whom it may concern, I am very pleased to write a character reference for Ijamyn Gray. I have known Mr. Gray since 2019 and am honored to speak of his character. During the time I have known Mr. Gray, I have always been amazed at his level of enthusiasm. Two years ago he participated in a hunger strike, to bring attention to gun violence in the inner city. Not only did he bring attention to gun violence, he engaged the community and spoke about police relations, community accountability and viable options to break the cycle of senseless gun violence. Mr. Gray has participated in many initiatives to stem gun violence and has conducted community walks, where he would knock on doors, engage groups of young black males and share with them a vision of a better tomorrow and give them the tools needed to get there. Another example of Mr. Gray's enthusiasm occurred last year during the start of the Covid pandemic. Mr. Gray selflessly volunteered his time and effort to assist with multiple food drives throughout Miami - Dade County. Not only did he assist with the distribution, he went out of his way to deliver groceries and supplies to the elderly and other people of the community who were unable to make it to the distribution sites. Mr. Gray deeply cares about his community and it reflects in everything he does. Recently, Mr. Gray has spearheaded another initiative to bridge the gap and make a positive impact in the lives of the youth living in underprivileged communities. His vision, is to provide job opportunities to the youth of our community. This will give them a sense of responsibility, personal accountability and the fundamentals needed to excel in the workforce. I wholeheartedly support his new initiative and greatly believe this is an opportunity to save our youth from senseless gun violence and killings. I recommend and support Mr. Gray in any task, project or community endeavor where enthusiasm, hard work and trustworthiness are valued. Sincerely, Commander Omar Mitchell Model City Commander City of Miami Police Department 1000 NW 62nd Street Miami, Florida, 33150 Email:4812(a�miami-police.org Office: (305) 603-6864 (hanging Lire*. Otto Jab atit Dm, April 30, 2021 To Whom It May Concern, It is my pleasure to write this letter of support on behalf of Mr. ljamyn Gray's Encouraging Dreamers Breaking Youth Escape Second Chance Prograrn. As the Executive Director of Transition, Inc., a local non-profit that assists previously incarcerated adults with job development, job training, job referrals and job placement services, I am excited to have his innovative program positively impact the lives of our youth in Miami Dade County. As you may know, according to some statistics the unemployment rate for youth in urban communities are as high as 50%. Mr. Gray's program can effectively prevent youth incarceration and help teach valuable job training skills as well as create employment opportunities for our youth. In conclusion, I fully support the Encouraging Dreamers Breaking Youth Escape Second Chance Program as they seek additional funding to "transform" the lives of our youth. I firmly believe that any program that can help youth make productive choices, teach valuable life skills and build economic stability is a worthy endeavor! I applaud Mr. Gray' efortx! Sincerely, Stephen R. Gilmore Executive Director DISTRICT OFFICE: 5582 NE 4th Court Suite 7B Miami, FL 33137 Phone: 305.795.1205 pizzo.jason@flsenate.gov CAPITOL OFFICE: 405 Senate Office Building 404 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL 32399 Phone: 850.487.5038 STAFF: Maggie Gerson Chief Legislative Aide gerson.maggie@illsenate.gov Teri Cariota Senior Legislative Aide cariota.teri@flsenate.gov COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP: Criminal Justice, Chair Appropriations Appropriations Subcommittee on Criminal & Civil Justice Commerce & Tourism Select Committee on Pandemic Preparedness and Response Joint Committee on Public Counsel Oversight THE FLORIDA SENATE SENATOR JASON W.B. PIZZO May 1, 2021 To Whom It May Concern: I write this letter in support of Ijamyn Gray, CEO of Encouraging Dreamers Breaking Barriers, and his Youth Escape Second Chance Opportunity program. Through hard work and dedication, Mr. Gray has overcome much adversity to become the success he is today. Following a three-year incarceration, he was given a second chance, turned his life around, and has devoted himself to helping others turn their lives around as well. Even after a hurricane destroyed his home, leaving him and his family homeless and hungry, he didn't let life get him down. He went to college to make a better life for himself and his family, with the goal of pursing non-profit work that would inspire today's youth, and he has attained that goal. Mr. Gray founded the non-profit organization, Encouraging Dreamers Breaking Barriers, serving youth in underprivileged communities by providing after -school programs and mentoring. He is now expanding his non-profit to include a car wash job training initiative, the Youth Escape Second Chance Opportunity program. This program will serve youth and young adults between the ages of 16 — 24, providing them with job opportunities and training. Knowing Mr. Gray's drive and determination, I am confident this initiative will be as successful as his many other endeavors. Sincerely son W.B. Pizzo State Senator District 38 NORTH MIAMI POLICE DEPARTMENT 700 N. E.124 STREET *NORTH MIAMI• FLORIDA 33161 (305) 891-0294 May 3, 2021 To whom it may concern, This letter serves to express my support for Mr. Ijamyn Gray and his Youth Escape Second Chance Opportunity program. I have known Mr. Gray since 2019, and during that time, Mr. Gray's dedication and commitment towards the lives of the youth have always been astounding. He has participated in the North Miami Police Department's community events with the youth of our city. Mr. Gray has focused his time these past two years to bring attention to gun violence in the inner city. Additionally, he has been. volunteering his time and effort to assist with multiple food drives throughout Miami -Dade County during the Covid-19 pandemic, Recently, Mr. Gray has organized another initiative called Encouraging Dreamers Breaking Barriers to bridge the gap and positively impact the lives of the youth living in underprivileged communities. His vision of providing job opportunities to the youth will give a sense of responsibility, personal accountability, and the rudiments needed to excel in the workforce. I recommend and would Ienourage the support for Mr, Gray's program. Sincerely, Larry Juriga Chief of Police • FLORIDL,w ENFORCEMENT .H=77 JASON JENKINS / ANNE NOLAND / BRETT BRECHEISEN / RENZO SHEPPARD VIRA HALIM / SYDNEY WADE / PAOLA ARGUETA / PHONE: 954.452.7010 have had the distinct pleasure of knowing Ijamyn Gray for the last several years as both a community leader and youth advocate. As CEO of Encouraging Dreamers Breaking Barriers, Ijamyn has helped bridge the gaps and make positive impacts in the lives of youth living in underprivileged communities. They provide job opportunities and house a second chance job training initiative that will help change lives for youth and young adults between the ages of 16-24. Ijamyn has a track record of leading tangible goals and objectives to positive outcomes. I wholeheartdely believe his Youth Escape Second Chance Opportunity program will help serve our underserved communities. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (954) 452-7174 or jjenkins@dolphins.com. Sincerely, Jason Jenkins Senior Vice President Miami Dolphins MIAMI GOLF. E-I INS COMMUNICATIC>NS / 7500 SW 30TI9 ST. DAVIE, EL 333'I4.