MIAMI (Le Floridien) — A new not-for-profit organization, MJD Wellness and Community Center held its first official luncheon that allowed new predominantly volunteer board members to listen to three prominent, successful businessmen and businesswomen share insight into how this can become a highly successful organization as well. The primary objective of MJD Wellness and Community Center is to provide services to seniors and health related information to immigrants and seniors so they can live full, healthier lives.
EmmanuelaFleurimont is the young, dynamic woman behind this non-profit project as she had long dreamed of doing something that could truly advocate and help people in need.
Born and raised in Haiti, Fleurimontemigrated to the Dominican Republic in 2003 in order to study medicine. Her parents dreamed of her becoming a doctor, but her lifelong ambition was to become involved in the law, potentially helping her homeland of Haiti in the political landscape.
After she legally immigrated to the United States, completing her medical degree became too complicated and she instead enrolled in Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, which is a non-profit Christian research university.
She eventually earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and is currently pursuing her master’s through Walden University, an online, fully accredited program. Her focus is on health and wellness.
Through her academic background and sincere desire to make a difference in the lives of men and women in need learn to live a healthier lifestyle, she opened her own business, MJJ Nutrition Club, which provided the best nutritional and weight-management products to clients throughout South Florida.
When Ms. Fleurimont noticed the need among elderly in her community for these same types of services and information, she developed the idea for MJD Wellness and Community Center and received encouragement and support from numerous personalities throughout the region, including former North Miami Mayor Andre D. Pierre, Mrs. Paola Pierre, and Patrick Fabre.
Currently, the board consists of five members: EmmanuelaFleurimont, Treasurer Sever Livinceour, Secretary Rose Philippe, Officer Patrick Fabre, and Officer Marie Lourdes Metellus.
Saturday, June 2, 2018 at Four Seasons Hotel (Downtown Miami ), the board was provided an opportunity to listen to three presenters, Paola Pierr, MBA/HRM, ValiaLaguere, and Andre Pierre, esq. These three individuals shared insight and information about what it takes to run a successful non-profit organization, the various aspects they will face, and the value in remaining diligent, especially during its initial launch.
Ms. Paola Pierre was born and raised in Port-au-Prince, Haiti and currently serves as the Assistant Personal Director of the City of North Miami. Before taking on these duties, Ms. Pierre was the founder of Pierre Consulting, Inc., an agency that offered consulting services to a range of organizations, including Florida New Americans (FNA), which helped pave a path for citizenship for new residents, Florida CHAIN Our Little Ones Learning Center, and the Biscayne Landing/Local Preference Office for the Biscayne Landing Project in North Miami.
Ms. Pierre is also noted for co-founding the Haitian-American Chamber of Commerce of Florida (HACCOF) where part of her focus was helping small and new businesses develop partnerships with existing businesses through the Chamber of Commerce.
Andre Pierre was born in Arcahaie, Haiti and immigrated to the U.S. in 1983. He earned a bachelor degree in engineering from New York Institute of Technology in 1994 and his law degree from the University of Miami in 1997. Mr. Pierre is admitted to practice law in the State of Florida as well as before the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of the United States.
Mr. Pierre is the owner of The Law Office of Andre D. Pierre in North Miami and has been an avid member of the local community for years, being devoted to numerous causes, supporting various events, and having served on various boards, including that of the Greater North Miami Chamber of Commerce. He was elected to Chairman of the Chamber’s Board from 2003-2005. He was elected in 2009 as mayor of North Miami serving two consecutive terms.
In 2010, Mr. Pierre was selected to represent the United States at the International Conference of World Cities and Regions for Haiti. This honor was made by then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Andre Pierre is also a political analyst and consultant.
Vania Laguerre earned a double major in Finance and International Business from Florida International University and spent more than two decades with Merrill Lynch, joining the firm in 1988. Ms. Laguerre’s various leadership responsibilities have taken her to numerous locations around the United States, until relocating her to Aventura, Florida in 2009.
She currently holds the position of Senior Resident Director of Merrill Lynch’s Aventura office and helps lead a team of associates and financial advisors providing a wealth of financial and wealth management guidance throughout the community.
One of her many passions involves giving back, especially mentoring youth so they can become impactful members of the community as they grow into adulthood.
MJD Wellness and Community Center will predominantly offer consultations and help to educate people throughout the community about how to get and stay healthy, including what types of foods are best, how to gain the right exercise, and they will also distribute healthy food at times troughout their planned monthly events.
MJD will screen each prospective client and, when it’s determined that they qualify and require support and assistance, will be referred to a licensed partner for follow-up care and support. Because MJD is new, it doesn’t have the vast financial resources necessary to offer direct services at this time, so it will rely on a referral system.
MJD Wellness and Community Center will need more financial assistance now and moving forward to help it reach the goals of its vision and mission statements and truly become a beacon of health and wellness throughout the South Florida community.
Ms. Fleurimont expressed her gratitude to several men and women who supported this idea from its inception, including EveltJeudy, McKinley Lauriston, Paola Pierre, Patrick Fabre, Philippe Bien-Aime, Andre Pierre, Rose Coriolan, and more.
Ms. Fleurimont made it clear at this event that members of the board have no political aspirations; they simply want to help an at-risk population that can too easily become overlooked in a massive health care and nutritional system in the U.S.
The luncheon was followed by a book signing by members of the board and an official presentation of the board members, including photo opportunities. MJD Wellness and Community Center is just starting out, and for those who also wish to make a positive difference in the lives of seniors and other at-risk individuals, they are encourage to support MJD financial and reach out to see how their desires can be best served in their community.
Dessalines Ferdinand/Le Floridien
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