Miami, FL
Miami Proud: Unlikely friendship leads to fresh start for woman struggling with homelessness
MIAMI — An unlikely friendship between a woman struggling with homelessness and two Miami-Dade Police Department employees is proving how the little things can make a big difference.
Miami-Dade Police dispatcher Nicole Sears loves to offer a helping hand. So, when neighborhood resource officer Leonard Cantave asked for a favor she jumped at the chance.
“Officer Contave reached out to me and asked if I would help him create some sort of way to receive funds for her,” she said.
It all started just days earlier, the day after Christmas.
“I had a problem with my car and my battery,” Maria Isabel Garcia said.
“You know it’s the holidays. She’s alone. No gas for her car. That was pretty sad, and I’m blessed enough to help her out,” said Cantave.
When he stopped to help, Cantave realized Garcia needed much more than just a jump. She needed a fresh start.
“She pretty much was homeless. So, I took her to the gas station, filled up her tank for her, and went to the mechanic shop and spoke to the owner and they gave her a brand-new battery for her car,” Cantave said.
“He asked me what happened, what happened to you? You live here? Why? And I explained to him I don’t have a job at this moment,” Garcia said.
Garcia had fallen on hard times during the pandemic.
She lost her job as a security guard — then her license expired. And without the funds to pay to renew it — she was stuck and has been ever since. Alone — and living out of her van.
“I don’t have anybody. I don’t have family; I don’t have friends. I don’t have a husband. I don’t have anybody” Garcia said. “I cried so many times inside this car. Alone. But nobody saw me”.
So, Sears and Cantave put their heads together — and within a month, raised enough money to renew Garcia’s car insurance and registration, renew her security license so she could work, and also give her some gas money.
Those little steps — enough to get Garcia back out there and working again.
And so, with the help of these two MDPD employees — Garcia is getting a chance at a fresh start. She is working again as a security guard, is applying for housing — and they say this is just the beginning.
“I just started it and I want to finish it. Make sure she gets a house, hopefully, she gets a better car, and then once that is done I think my job is done, then onto the next project” said Cantave.
That sentiment — and that chance encounter — is why Maria says she will forever be grateful.
“So, I love you, I love him, I love him so much because he’s a good person. He’s a good guy. He’s an angel. He’s my angel,” Garcia said.
And this truly is just the beginning. Sears and Cantave were so inspired by how they were able to help Garcia they started a non-profit to help others like her: Blue Hearts of South Florida.
Travis Steele unpacks end of Miami RedHawks’ historic season
After a tough loss to Tennessee in the NCAA Tournament, Miami RedHawks head coach Travis Steele took a minute to reflect on a historic season.
Forward Brant Byers, who ranked second behind Peter Suder in scoring for the Miami RedHawks last season with 14.2 points per game, has committed to the Penn State Nittany Lions, according to a report via Twitter/X from DraftExpress’ Jonathan Givony.
Byers’ hometown of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, is about two hours south of State College.
Byers reportedly entered the transfer portal in March.
Byers also averaged 4.1 rebounds per game, and shot 47.8 percent from the field and 39.2 percent from 3-point range as a redshirt sophomore for the RedHawks. He was named an all-Mid-American Conference second-team selection.
Byers started 33 of the 34 games in which he played for the 32-2 RedHawks in 2025-26. He averaged 8.4 points per game off the bench one season earlier, as a freshman. Byers redshirted during the 2023-24 season.
Former Cincinnati Bearcats forward Josh Reed and former Xavier Musketeers forward Sasa Ciani are on the Nittany Lions’ roster.
The RedHawks received a commitment April 14 from Ball State transfer forward Preston Copeland.
The Global Champions Arabians Tour (GCAT), the world’s premier Arabian horse championship series, hit Miami, Florida, where the celebrities were out in force.
The GCAT is an exclusive, high-stakes international championship show designed to showcase the beauty, form, and movement of Purebred Arabian horses.
Over this past weekend, the event transformed Miami Beach into a world-class equestrian stage, welcoming over 100 horses and handlers from across the globe to compete for crucial GCAT points and a share of the Americas circuit’s $2.7 million prize fund.
It also was quite the party featuring surprise sets by 50 Cent and Sean Paul, and a Closing Ceremony performance by Jason Derulo.
Other big names in the sports world showed up, including influencer and former Chicago Bulls Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen’s ex-wife Larsa Pippen, former Miami Hurricanes star and New Orleans Saints Super Bowl champion Jonathan Vilma, and professional golfer Paris Hilinski.
Larsa certainly stood out in this red dress:
Meanwhile, Vilma was back in Miami where he played for some of the best ‘Canes teams from 2000-2003.
Also, the likes of DJ Khaled, Bethenny Frankel, Kiki Barth, Mario Carbone, the Mayor of Miami Steven Meiner, Daymond John, Romero Britto, Stephanie and Masoud Shojaee, Terrence J, Oliver Trevena, Miami Beach Commissioner Joe Magazine.
It was quite the weekend.
“Miami Beach has once again proven to be an extraordinary stage for the Global Champions Arabians Tour,” said Faleh Al Nasr, Chairman of the Global Champions Arabians Tour. “The energy, the international audience, and the level of competition we witnessed this weekend reflect exactly what GCAT stands for. To see this sport brought to life in such an iconic destination, alongside world-class hospitality and entertainment, is incredibly meaningful as we continue to grow our presence across the Americas.”
Kevin Chouinard: Hawks missing lots of players tonight. For tonight’s game at Miami: Mo Gueye (right shoulder inflammation) is questionable. Nickeil Alexander-Walker (right great toe sprain) is out. Dyson Daniels (left great toe sprain) is out. Jalen Johnson (rest) is out. Jonathan Kuminga (left knee injury management) is out. Jock Landale (right high ankle sprain) is out. CJ McCollum (rest) is out. Onyeka Okongwu (left index finger sprain) is out. Gabe Vincent (left knee inflammation) is out.
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Hawks sitting all usual starters against Miami
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