The Impact of Community Outreach
As our responsibilities and productivity continue to grow, sometimes it’s easy to get stuck in a groove. That’s why it’s essential to stop and reflect, which brings me to the State Road 969/Milam Dairy Road project — a roadway improvement initiative to reconstruct various driveways and sidewalks, which, on paper, seemed like a small project but became more complex once I got to connect with the residents. The project holds significant value to this community in Miami, and I am grateful to be involved.
Walking through the project corridor, one thing has become clear to me: These people are passionate about their community. I’ve met longtime residents who want their neighborhood to thrive, and I’ve learned about the ongoing issues they face, such as vehicles speeding and the fear of a traffic accident happening right by their house. That’s the reason they’re passionate about improvements for a safer neighborhood. This project has put me in the frontline, where I can interact with homeowners and be a great listener.
I have visited the project several times and it has been a learning experience each time. One thing that has stood out to me is the impact we have when we listen. Our role consists of being a bridge between the client and the people we serve, so listening is the most important thing we can do. A gentleman who has lived in the project area for many years, for instance, explained the kinds of changes he wants to see; the insight he gave me about his experience with traffic and the current state of infrastructure in the area opened my eyes, over a half-hour conversation, and made me realize that this was no small project.
Another stakeholder informed me about the lack of lighting; she was worried that a tragedy could happen because of speeding combined with low visibility — she wanted to be heard, so I contacted the project administrator from the Florida Department of Transportation and we identified the best person to look into the issue. I met with the homeowner, which she appreciated; having someone understand her concern brought relief.
I enjoy walking the project corridor and having familiar faces greet me and ask me questions, knowing I am willing to listen. This project has shown me that it’s a blessing to be the person the public can trust — a blessing in the sense that our careers at Quest consist of serving others with empathy, love, and a commitment to exceptional service.
That is what I believe should always be at the forefront of what we do. It’s great to partner with FDOT and be part of the bigger picture, with passion for our community, which is what makes it all worthwhile.
By Jose Velez, Communications Manager
For more stories, check out the latest Quest newsletter HERE.