Edeline Beauvais Mondestin interview

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Edeline Beauvais Mondestin interview

• August 26, 2013 (Creación)

Mrs. Mondestin holds a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing and a Health Care Risk Management Degree. During her thirty five years as a Registered Nurse, sixteen years as a Social Services Administrator, four years as a Division Director and currently as an Acting Chief of Miami Dade County Elderly, Disability and Veterans Services Bureau for one year, Edeline Beauvais Mondestin has gained a reputation as a strong advocate for women and people with disabilities. She volunteers with Mercy's Hospital Mobile Unit and the Borinquen Clinic that provide health care to underserved senior citizens in Little Haiti and Little Havana. Edeline has played a vital role in the Alzheimer's Association. Since 1994, she has been a support group leader for the Greater Miami Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. Mrs. Mondestin has created the Florida Association on HIV Over Fifty (FLAHOF), an advocacy organization that provides services to this special group. In 2002, Mrs. Mondestin successfully lobbied Miami-Dade County Mayor Alex Penelas to establish a Haitian Senior Center in Little Haiti and was successful in obtaining a $350,000 grant to start and maintain the program through Miami Dade County Department of Human Services. Edeline's energy has also been directed at fighting for the right of immigrants and her efforts have been aimed at  working on the Haitian Refugee Fairness Act, a law that gave residency to thousand of Haitians. Aside from her advocacy work, she hosted a radio program entitled "Travayè an Navan" meaning "Workers on the Move." This program advocated for better working conditions and insurace for workers. Edeline also hosts two cable television programs, "New Issue for a Healthy Community" with two physicians and "Living Beyond Limits." She has also appeared on a "Haitian Forum," a cable television program focusing on Haitian issues. She wrote several articles about: women's issues, nutrition, Alzheimer's, drugs, alcohol abuse, AIDS, and the elderly. Over the past years, she has been a recipient of numerous county, national, and humanitarian awards. Interviewer: Lucrèce Louisdhon-Louinis Miami, FL