Volver NEW WOMAN By Noris Capin The Voice of God The whistling of the wind shakes the earth, the mountains and the seas, and, as usual, at the end of the day, the voice of the Shepherd calling his sheep can be heard. The vibration of His voice reaches from very far away, and yet it sounds trembling. However, humankind does not always heed God's exhortations. His voice is lost in the air, and at the ends of the earth, His words pile up, their sorrowful cry unheard. Our Almighty God is sad. The boastful, the wicked, and the deceitful are deaf. Those who ignore the melody of the Just and are unfamiliar with the sonata of the Beloved are insensitive. People refuse to listen to God's message of hope. The rich have turned a deaf ear, and the arrogant have gone off to revel. The poor have grown poorer, and the unfortunate are lost in tribulation and injustice. For those who disconnect from the Messiah's song, the world will grow darker, and the sun's radiance will vanish at the touch of indifference. The forgetful will stumble under their own falsehoods and, without lifting their heads, will walk along the path mired in confusion. The absent one's head will not be raised to the heavens because they are unaware that God's splendor is more powerful than their own conscience. The Word of God says: The earth has been defiled by its inhabitants, because they have stopped keeping the laws, have disobeyed the commandments, have violated the eternal covenant - Isaiah 24:5. However, the voice of the Most High continues to carry His faithful legacy across distant hills and bustling streets. From one end of the earth to the other, His Word reaches the ears of those who desire to hear it. The crown of the King of Kings appears as it does every day, greeting the nations with His mighty hand. His robe does not fade, nor does His immaculate garment ever become torn. His power has not changed, and His mercy remains eternal. He proclaims the message of salvation everywhere, His voice heard across the seas, and in the forgotten corners of the world He proclaims His eternal message: My people, do not stray from My Word! This is what His message says: Pay attention to my corrections, and I will fill you with my Spirit; I will make my thoughts known to you. I have called you, I have invited you to come, but you have refused to listen to me. -Proverbs 1:23-24 Human beings prefer not to listen to the message of the Blessed Sacrament; they do not want to sing the melody of the composer of all time. They have forgotten their baptismal promises and neglected respect for the Gospel. The world is full of evil, cold falsehood, and calculated hypocrisy. Yet the Word of God never lies dormant; the truth of its message never fades. Its proclamation transcends far and wide, like the beam of a lighthouse illuminating every continent of the universe. From one end of the earth to the other, the outpouring of His Holy Spirit will soon settle in the heart of man. And though humankind may be ignorant of the subtle and unparalleled music of the harp and unfamiliar with the celestial lyre, God allows them to clearly understand His Word: a message that never returns empty. A missive of love that extends from north to south and from east to west, so that every creature may know that God is the Glorious King of the Universe. The Almighty, who gave humanity His Son, Jesus Christ, so that we may all live according to the truth expressed in the Holy Scriptures. Awake, listen to the voice of God! Listen to the Word of the Lord in Ordinary Time: a time of personal renewal and unity with the Father in Heaven. Gird your belts and renew your covenant with Him!… For the Lord declares and cries out to the four winds: Return, faithless children, for I am your master—Jeremiah 3:14. From the ends of the earth we have heard them sing: “Honor to the Righteous One!” Isaiah 24:16. Amen. Noris Capin The voice of the Lord is powerful: The voice of God is majestic. Psalm 29:4

Volver IN OUR OWN BACKYARD By En USA news LINKS EVENTS: Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show 2025. The 2025 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) is one of the world's largest and most prestigious boating events. Held annually in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the "Boating Capital of the World," this five-day event showcases an impressive array of boats and marine accessories, attracting enthusiasts, industry professionals, and luxury consumers from around the globe. October 29, 2025 - November 2, 2025. Wednesday (10/29) 12pm – 7:00pm Thursday (10/30) 10:00am – 7:00pm Friday (10/31) 10:00am – 7:00pm Saturday (1/11) 10:00am – 7:00pm Sunday (11/2) 10:00am – 5:00pm. 801 Seabreeze Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316. CruiseWorld. This event will offer educational workshops, general sessions, boat tours, and an exclusive expo for the travel and cruise industry. From November 5 to 7, 2025. Broward County Convention Center. 1950 Eisenhower Blvd. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 For more information, visit www.cruiseworldshow.com Bank of America Wine, Spirits & Culinary Celebration. October 17, 2025. 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm. Museum of Discovery & Science. 401 SW 2nd St, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33312 Fall Festival at The Riverwalk. October 18, 2025. 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm. Esplanade Park, 400 SW Second St, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 33312. Taste of the Gardens in Pembroke Pines. October 21, 2025. 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm. The Shops at Pembroke Gardens 527 SW 145th Terrace, Pembroke Pines, FL. Hollyweird Halloween Block Party in Downtown Hollywood. October 25, 2025. 8:00 pm - 11:59 pm Downtown Hollywood, 1900 Block of Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, FL, 33020. Thrills & Chills With a little magic and community spirit, the Coral Springs Gymnasium will be transformed into a carnival with themed spaces and activities for all ages. Saturday, October 18, 2025. 3:00pm to 5:00pm. Coral Springs Gymnasium, 2501 Coral Springs Drive, Coral Springs, FL 33065. Art@Night. Join us at the Coral Springs Museum of Art for art, music, gatherings, beer, wine, and more. This event is open to those 21 and older. Thursday, October 30, 2025. 5:30pm to 7:30pm. Coral Springs Museum of Art. 2855A Coral Springs Dr. Coral Springs, FL 33065. Held at the Coral Springs Marriott at Heron Bay International Dinner Dance dedicated this year to Haiti As it does every year, the City of Coral Springs Multicultural Advisory Committee, made up mostly of volunteers, held its International Dinner Dance on August 23rd, this year dedicated to Haiti, highlighting the food, music, traditions, and customs of the honored country. By tradition, the committee selects the destination by internal vote and works to highlight the best and present it to the public who have been enjoying the elegant evening for several years. On this occasion, a tribute was paid to Gladys Castro, who for 29 consecutive years led the event's organization, along with the city's multicultural committee. Our work in eye-catching posters From September 15 to October 15, you can see our 24-year history of journalism in Broward County on display on the 2nd floor of the North Regional/Broward College Library in Coconut Creek. The exhibition, part of the national celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15), features articles, interviews, reports, events, and activities we have covered throughout our years of publication. Admission is free, and while you enjoy our work, you can grab a free copy of the September issue. We invite you! As part of the national celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month TRI-RAIL SETS NEW ANNUAL RIDE RECORD Despite its recent ridership success, Tri-Rail faces future funding challenges as Florida's recent state budget included cuts to the system's funding. Current financial projections indicate that, without additional support, Tri-Rail will only have operating funds until July 2027. The South Florida Regional Transit Authority (SFRTA) announced today that Tri-Rail has reached a new all-time fiscal year ridership record, with 4,578,680 trips between July 2024 and June 2025. This milestone surpasses the system's previous record of 4,465,750 trips, set in fiscal year 2019. “We are extremely proud of this ridership milestone,” said David Dech, SFRTA Executive Director. “This demonstrates the essential role Tri-Rail plays in meeting the transportation needs of our growing region.” Tri-Rail is also leading the nation's ridership recovery among commuter rail systems. According to a recent report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office, which analyzed 31 commuter rail systems nationwide, Tri-Rail ranked fourth overall and is one of the few to have fully recovered to pre-pandemic ridership. Tri-Rail regained its record of 15,000 weekday and 7,000 weekend rides in February 2024 and has continued its growth since, surpassing its previous record to set a new all-time high. Often described by transportation officials as the equivalent of a single lane on I-95, Tri-Rail has become a mainstay of mobility in South Florida, helping to alleviate congestion, connect communities, and drive regional economic growth. The system serves as the region's multimodal backbone, connecting passengers to a network of transit systems across three counties and dozens of municipalities, helping to solidify South Florida's transportation infrastructure. Despite its recent ridership success, Tri-Rail faces future funding challenges as Florida’s recent state budget included cuts to system funding. SFRTA’s Board of Directors and executive team are actively collaborating with the Florida Legislature, the Florida Department of Transportation, and county leaders in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties to secure a long-term, sustainable funding solution. Current financial projections indicate that without additional support, Tri-Rail will only have sufficient funding to operate through July 2027.

An archive of En USA Newspaper videos Animal Care opens a new pet sitting clinic Share - The clinic will offer basic wellness care and spay / neuter services- Animal Care opened a new Pet Care clinic for Broward County pet owners. The clinic will provide basic wellness care including cat and dog vaccination packages and spay / neuter services. Preventives such as heartworm and flea / tick medications will also be available for purchase. The clinic is located at the Animal Care Adoption Center, 2400 SW 42nd Street, Fort Lauderdale 33312 and will operate Tuesday through Saturday. All services are available by appointment only. Vaccination appointments can be scheduled at Broward.org/Animal, by phone at 954-357-9567, or by email at petcareclinic@broward.org . Call or email to schedule spay / neuter surgery appointments. "We are very excited to offer these services to residents," said Emily Wood, Director of Animal Care and Adoption. "Vaccines and preventive care are the first line of defense in keeping pets healthy and happy. In addition, spaying and neutering helps reduce the pet population in our community." Vaccines, including a dewormer and microchip, will be offered in each package both for puppies and young kittens as well as for adult pets. Spay / neuter services for dogs and cats can also be scheduled at the clinic. Broward County residents will have the option to apply for the SNIP Program and receive a voucher for free or low-cost spay / neuter surgery or pay a fee for spay / neuter services. The clinic will also offer heartworm testing, pet license plates, and euthanasia services. For more information on the clinic's services and prices, visit Broward.org/Animal. About Animal Care. Broward County Animal Care and Adoption is dedicated to providing shelter for lost and homeless animals. The agency provides access to hundreds of shelter pets waiting for a new home. Avoid unwanted animals and spay or neuter your pet. For more information about the agency, visit our website or click in Like on Facebook.

Share Sunrise introduced the flavor of your city through your local restaurants and businesses Held on February 23 at the city's Civic Center The event was coordinated by the city and its chamber of commerce. As a taste sample that the city offers with the variety of its restaurants and local businesses, Sunrise, in coordination with its chamber of commerce, held its flagship Taste of Sunrise event. It was nice to see and feel the enthusiasm of your community returning to your face-to-face events after the interruption due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic that hit us worldwide. Restaurants, bakeries, health food stores, and a variety of businesses participated in the food and beverage tasting, proudly presenting its specialties, adjusted to the palate of its guests. The cost of admission, which was $20, gave the large audience the opportunity to savor and enjoy dishes and drinks prepared with taste and care for a community that always expects the best from the place where they live, work and carry out their activities in family. Taste of Sunrise featured the presence of its Mayor Mike Ryan, elected officials, community leaders, participating business owners, and the enthusiasm of a public eager to taste and enjoy the local.

The following Broward County officials have been reelected without opposition because they were the only ones to run for office before the filing deadline of June, 2020 Share Desde hace más de 30 años, el Directorio Hispano, la guía profesional de diversos negocios, ha sido uno de los pilares fundamentales de orientación e información para el lector de habla hispana, tanto para el recién llegado como para quienes ya se han establecido en este gran país. Ahora, el tradicional Directorio Hispano, funciona con una nueva y dinámica administración que ya comenzó a generar cambios en su contenido, distribución y promoción dentro de la comunidad Hispana. Ya vemos a un directorio participando en ferias de negocios, festivales comunitarios y eventos que promueven la diversidad cultural en nuestras ciudades de Broward, Palm Beach y Collier/Lee. Los anunciantes en el Directorio Hispano han renovado sus pautas publicitarias por muchos años dando muestra de la respuesta que sus clientes han dado a sus productos y servicios promovidos. Broward, Palm Beach y Collier/Lee tienen su propio Directorio Hispano que cubre las ciudades integradas a esos condados para que los negocios se proyecten en el área donde tienen sus productos y servicios. Además de la versión impresa, puede ver el Directorio Hispano en digital visitando www.eldirectoriousa.com o llamar al 954-394-6230 para sus anuncios. Este libro comercial e institucional trae dentro de sus páginas el completo cuestionario para tomar el exámen de la ciudadanía en este país.

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COLUMNISTS For over 15 years our columnists have honored us with editorial content worthy of praise by renowned writers. Each one, in their own style, has directed a timely writing for our readers - messages of orientation for women, like those of our columnist Noris Capín, which reflects the true love of GOD for us. Ernesto Morales Alpízar, who with his current analysis invites us to think. Along these same lines we have Luis Miranda and his correct orientation in the way of doing politics in our country. Last, but not least, Mercedes Moresco, which brings a little of our Hispanic culture and reflects more of the knowledge of our extensive Spanish language. Those are our core pieces of equipment that each month bring the most valuable written information to each of our readers. Noris Capín Mercedes Moresco Luis Miranda Ernesto Morales

Volver BETWEEN QUOTATION MARKS By Ernesto Morales Alpizar THE MISINFORMED They should be few, but they aren't. On the contrary, they are many. The uninformed are people who tend not to care about their surroundings, and therefore, their arguments, criteria, and points of view on any subject are always, at the very least, misguided. To make matters worse, they are not inclined to watch the news on television, listen to it on the radio, or read it in the press, and they don't even venture onto the internet in search of the truth—which, incidentally, many media outlets falsify, hide, or editorialize. Thus, the uninformed remain unaware of what is happening around them and are not bothered by anything. Paradoxically, they follow a routine linked to rumors, neighborhood gossip, or the humorous comments that circulate in some workplaces and universities regarding what is shaking the foundations of society. It's regrettable to acknowledge that these are precisely the people who can tip the scales of society, leading the rest of the crowd toward an abyss. This is what happens, for example, when choosing a leader or any ideology. We should tell them: “If you don't have enough information about it, it would be better to reserve your opinion for a more opportune moment, or at least for those moments when your views can influence perceptions and, in some way, contribute to improving the social landscape.” But unfortunately, that's not the case. Debating them from the trenches of knowledge is a waste of time. With these kinds of people, unfortunately, we can't use the usual arguments or criteria that we've found to be irrefutable in any audience or group of experts and analysts. Unfortunately for us, the uninformed believe they know everything, or at least that's how they project themselves onto the stage and into daily events. As Albert Einstein once said: "The difference between people with common sense and stupid people is that the former have limits to their expressions, the latter do not." It's a real shame that we have to put up with some of the nonsense sometimes uttered by good, decent people with a respectable track record among their families and friends. But precisely because of their social standing, they should be more receptive and willing to accept what is explained to them sensibly, something they unfortunately don't understand. I get the impression that this social group needs to accept that information is being shared with them, not ridiculed in a dialogue based on sound arguments. And even more shameful is the realization that their minds are closed to better-expressed information and, therefore, lack sufficient culture, instruction, or knowledge to question what is explained to them, no matter how patient their interlocutors may be. Along the way, these individuals may regret their lack of information and, consequently, reproach themselves for having been superficial or childish in their subsequent analyses of the substance of the debate, to which any topic of current interest in their social sphere can be subjected. It is also embarrassing to hear the opinions of some prominent figures in various artistic, sporting, political, or religious disciplines, considering that they don't speak on topics they fully understand because their thinking is confined solely to the subjects they practice. However, many of these uninformed individuals, even within the realm of their respective fields, are incapable of offering accurate perspectives, and in such cases, we find them out there, prominent in the mainstream media, trying to impose their judgments devoid of any common sense. These characters are reminiscent of parrots, parakeets, and cockatiels that imitate and repeat human voices thanks to the syrinxes located at the base of their trachea. I've made this digression only to cite a few simple examples of the clownish antics of which these individuals of both genders are capable. And there they are, doing their thing with the fleeting audience they manage to gather most of the time, thanks to the superhuman efforts of their ventriloquists and sycophants, who do nothing but clear the path for their momentary leaders. And so the webs of misfortune and ignorance are woven, which they enjoy and some even boast about. It's appalling to see how, on many occasions, we remain trapped in the most legitimate ignorance simply because there's a multitude of misinformed people who follow the pronouncements of these fools and scatterbrains who, in many groups and populaceous communities, take it upon themselves to pontificate about their actions as if they were biblical narratives. What a shame! As anyone can see, the leaders of disinformation are, precisely, third-rate figures in the synoptic chart presented to the masses. And these masses are easier to convince because their brains have been thoroughly washed and, therefore, they will not be able to find the truth hidden somewhere deep within their minds or in their very tissues; thus, their neurons will be intoxicated with the pleasure they derive from being able to please the imbeciles who lead them. The uninformed sometimes—not always—make up a mob bordering on the most repulsive rabble, who, however, I still believe could be capable of correcting their course along the well-trodden path of ignorance, and agree to converse with those who have the courage to listen to the truths that abound in the more or less high-sounding media. My most sincere recommendation to all those who read this publication - and there are thousands - is to inform yourselves about everything and not give any quarter to half-truths or the nonsense of certain unscrupulous groups who are still out there proclaiming that "the earth is flat", that "the chicken came before the egg or vice versa" and that "people owe their independence, their life and that of their family, to the participation of the supreme beings who prevail on the planet." Ernesto Morales

Biography of Judith Crocker Volver JUDITH CROCKER EDITORIAL Our President was born in Venezuela. Graduated from the School of Social Communication at the Zulia LUZ University in her native Venezuela, Judith worked, before receiving her degree, in radio and television as an intern in the city of Caracas, until she was appointed Director of Press and Public Relations in the Ministry of the Environment in Margarita Island where she remained until 1981. In 1981 she came to the United States with a scholarship under the Venezuelan government's Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho program, which at that time sent students to different continents to pursue pre and postgraduate studies. In the city of Chicago, Illinois, she studied journalism at Roosevelt University and Columbia College. In 1984 she returned to Venezuela and resumed her journalistic career by reopening her column "Something to Comment," in the Diario Del Caribe de Isla de Margarita, Panorama de Maracaibo and El Aragueño de Maracay. All these pages were maintained with the advertising that her clients supported in her columns. Later she created, together with her husband, David Crocker, an Illinois lawyer, her own media outlet in English, Mira! The Venezuelan Traveler. Mira! was a monthly newspaper aimed at the English-speaking tourist who at that time was beginning to arrive and discover the charms of Margarita Island as a tourist destination. Mira! captured the immediate attention of its loyal readers by its open and sincere content in the approach to reality that the tourist faced on the island. That honesty when explaining in detail what the visitor observed created trust and following among their tourist readers. At the same time, the newspaper gained reputation and recommendation from recognized publications such as The Associate Press, The New York Times, The Boston Globe, The Philadelphia Inquirer, among other publications. Upon her return to the United States, Judith settled in South Florida, Broward County, and began representing sales media, in both English and Spanish, as well as on Miami FM Radio, developing a long relationship in between. Her priority was to become familiar with the local market with a view to creating her own medium. Two years later, and with knowledge of the American market, Judith decided to start her newspaper En USA in June 2002. Immediately, En USA began to fill a void among Spanish-speaking readers due to the need to have information in Spanish about the programs, events, and activities of local government agencies, non-profit institutions, and the private sector, that would help our readers to understand and digest the economic, political, cultural and social system of this country. Our commitment with the community Hispanic in south florida

Share When the vote is the only thing that can save our Democracy The office of the Supervisor of Elections and its orientation to the voter with all the changes imposed by the Florida legislature In the upcoming Primary Election to be held on August 23 and the General Election on November 8, what changes will be made in Broward County regarding early voting in terms of the total number of places, in the precise locations where voting will take place compared to in the past, and the total number of days and hours they will be open and operating before Election Day? Early voting will continue to take place at 22 different locations, and we are still finalizing the exact locations. Check BrowardVotes.gov before going to an early voting site to make sure there haven't been any changes. There are a couple of changes that I can share now. Instead of Broward Health North, we will hold early voting at the Oveta McKeithen Recreation Complex in Deerfield Beach. Also, we will no longer have early voting at Coral Ridge Mall. We added the North Lauderdale Saraniero Library to the list this year. In August, we plan to have early voting for 9 days (Aug. 13-21) from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. In November, early voting will run for 14 days (Oct. 24-Nov. 6) from 7 :00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Regarding voting by mail, what are all the requirements that a voter must follow to request a ballot and the steps to return the ballot on time and have it counted? Any registered voter can request a vote-by-mail ballot in Florida. Due to a recent change in Florida law, you must provide your driver's license or state identification number or the last 4 of your social security number (whichever we have on file) to request a vote-by-mail ballot. If you have received a vote-by-mail ballot in the past, please visit BrowardVotes.gov to make sure your vote-by-mail ballot application is still active. After the November 2022 election, Florida law requires us to start over with mail-in ballot applications for each election cycle. Therefore, after each major election (in November of even-numbered years) you must submit a new vote-by-mail application. What about the drop boxes previously used by early voters? How many will there be, where will they be located, and when and during what hours can voters properly use them to return mail-in ballots? Our self-addressed return envelopes are postage-paid and can be dropped off at any US Postal Service drop box if there is enough time for the ballot to reach the Supervisor of Elections before Election Day. There will be eight drop boxes available weekdays after we mail out vote-by-mail ballots. Early voting sites are also places where voters can drop off their vote-by-mail ballots in a drop box. However, it is very important for voters to remember that they cannot drop off vote-by-mail ballots at their polling place on Election Day. Voters should check BrowardVotes.gov for current drop box locations and hours of availability. Regarding voter registration: Have there been any changes to the process? What are the various ways people can register to vote? What is the best way for voters to update their registration in case there have been changes, such as a change of address? RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov is the easiest way to register or update your registration. Alternatively, there are several government agencies that will allow you to register to vote in person. Voters generally update their voter registration when they update their driver's license or state ID. At the same time, there are various government agencies that register you to vote in person. For example, any library in Broward County will allow you to do this in person. I always try to remind people to pay attention to their party affiliation whenever they update their voter registration. They may not be able to participate in partisan primaries if their party affiliation is incorrect. What outreach efforts will your office undertake to encourage both voter registration and voter turnout in August and November 2022? Our outreach efforts are extensive. We participate in community events, publish advertisements in newspapers, on the radio and on television. Voters can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and TikTok to receive reliable information about the upcoming elections. Due to the proximity of the state elections, we contacted the office of the Supervisor of Elections in Broward directed by Joe Scott What safeguards have been instituted to protect against any ballot design issues, such as those that plagued the 2000 presidential election in Palm Beach County and the 2018 US Senate election? We have come a long way since the days of hanging chads. We are currently hiring a consultant with experience in ballot design to ensure everything is presented in a way that doesn't confuse people. We also share sample ballots with a larger segment of the community and seek feedback before finalizing the ballot design. Do you anticipate having any problems finding part-time employees to work the polls during the upcoming election days in light of developments across the country since November 2020? How much will your office pay these workers and how many hours can they expect to work if they are interested in helping the Supervisor of Elections Office? We are always looking to strengthen our pool of poll workers. We pay between $195 and $350 per day, depending on the role and the number of hours the worker needs. Some positions are only required for a few hours, others for a few weeks. For anyone interested in working at a polling place on Election Day, we start at 5:30 am and can't finish until after 8:00 pm That's a long day! When first elected in November 2020, the Supervisor of Elections position was considered an uncontroversial ministerial and organizational role that helps form the backbone and basic structure of democracy. Today it has become a position that is vital to ensuring that democracy continues in this country. Is there any message in that sense that you would like to communicate? Losing candidates have blamed the electoral system for their loss as long as democracy has existed. The only change from 2020 is that the loser who blames the electoral system has the biggest megaphone in the world. There has never been an election without irregularities and probably never will be. However, elections have never been conducted more professionally than they are today, and the development of standardized procedures has accelerated since 2020. We cannot allow minor issues, with no impact on the overall election result, to be used to reverse the will of the voters. If we take that path, democracy is over. Any registered voter can request a vote-by-mail ballot in Florida.

Share The Importance of Certifying Your Business with Broward County The opportunities are immense "Hispanic businesses have grown by 60% since I was the director of this office" In the USA he spoke with the Director of the Office of Economic Development and Small Business in Broward, Sandy-Michael McDonald about his work in the county towards the attraction and orientation of small companies interested in doing business with the county. This office is fully registered for some 730 small businesses in the county. One of the recommendations made by your director is that before starting a business in Broward, check with this office, especially if you plan to do business with the government of this county, see the opportunities and how to navigate through that process. Can you provide general guidance on the responsibilities of the Broward County Small Business and Economic Development Division and its objectives? The office on behalf of the county works to enhance the economic vitality of Broward and does so in coordination with its community partners and cities. We seek to improve the stability and expansion of existing businesses in Broward County, as well as work to attract new ones, especially those who pay high wages to the county. There are multiple initiatives and programs that we use to support this growth and that of Broward businesses. We have the Entrepreneurship Program, International Trade (Export), Workforce Development and Apprenticeship Programs. We are known primarily for our small business program that supports the use of locally certified small businesses in county procurement. goals 1. Create a vibrant economy with a diverse and skilled workforce in a county that offers unique advantages that attract all types of businesses to create equitable prosperity across the county. 2. Ensure economic opportunity for all people and businesses in Broward. 3. Highlight the "Broward" brand on county properties, programs and services 4. Constantly provide responsive, efficient and quality services to the public and internal customers. During the seven and a half years that you have served as a small business director, have you seen changes in the way Hispanic-owned businesses have increased in interest and number? Do you have any statistics on this? Broward County operates a race and gender neutral small business certification program. This means that there is no specific ethnicity or gender for business owners seeking certification. However, since I have served as a director, the number of Hispanic-owned businesses has grown by more than 60%. Do you have orientation programs and / or seminars to guide Hispanic-owned businesses before and after they open in Broward County? We host workshops for all of our businesses and in the last two years we have done even more, specifically for our Hispanic population in Spanish. Feel free to see the link to our most recent workshop for Hispanic-owned businesses called Doing Business With Broward County. We will continue these workshops in the future. In your experience, what do you recommend to a new business in Broward once it starts operating? The first thing is that they learn and understand how the Broward government works. Even if they are not interested in public procurement, they could still get business start-up and business plan assistance. How many small Broward businesses are registered with your office? There are approximately 730 certified small businesses in our program. What message do you want to send to the general public and small businesses about the local government agency you lead? I need our small business community to know that there are business opportunities here in Broward County. Our office can help develop business to participate. We want the public to know that we want to keep most of the county's money here in Broward to support the businesses that are here, that hire within the county, and that spend money earned in Broward.

Biography of Mercedes Moresco Volver MERCEDES MORESCO ARTICLE Mercedes Soledad Moresco was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She studied Literature at the UCA and practiced teaching in different secondary schools in the city. In 2001 she emigrated to the United States. She completed a Master's in Linguistics in teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language and in 2004 founded a school called "Educando a América" that currently offers programs for learning the Spanish language and Latin American culture. She is the author of a critical essay on Julio Cortázar's poetry titled "La Distancia Próxima", published in May 2014. She has directed literary workshops in Argentina and the USA. Since 2003, she has been a permanent contributor to the EnUSA newspaper. She is also a member of a group of artists and writers called Nostalgias de Bidé.