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Leifman to be Recognized at the Illuminations Gala on October 25, 2025
Chapman Partnership will honor retired Miami-Dade County Judge
Steve Leifman with the Alvah H. and Betty B. Chapman Humanitarian Award for his
transformative work in mental health and criminal justice reform. The award will be presented at the organization’s Illuminations Gala on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at the JW Marriott Marquis.
“Judge Leifman’s groundbreaking work in mental health has changed lives and systems, helping break the cycle of homelessness for countless individuals,” said Scott Hansel, President & CEO of Chapman Partnership. “His trauma-informed approach creates a streamlined path to care – ensuring people receive support before crisis hits. His impact is felt across Miami-Dade, where mental illness remains one of the top five causes of homelessness.”
For 30 years, Judge Leifman served on the bench in the Miami-Dade County Court Criminal
Division. During his tenure, he led the creation of the Miami-Dade Criminal Mental Health
Project, a nationally recognized model that diverts individuals with mental illnesses away from jails and into treatment and housing. He also launched a pioneering training program that equips law enforcement officers to identify signs of mental illness and respond with care – prioritizing treatment over incarceration. His work has been hailed by the U.S. Supreme Court, the White House, Pope Francis, and leading mental health and criminal justice reform organizations nationwide.
Among his most significant contributions is the creation of The Miami Center for Mental Health and Recovery – a new, 181,000-square-foot, seven-story facility set to open in the near future. The center will serve as a comprehensive hub for behavioral healthcare and stands as a critical step toward breaking the cycle of incarceration, homelessness, and untreated mental illness.
Beyond the courtroom, Judge Leifman has held influential leadership roles at both the state and national levels, helping shape forward-thinking policies that are redefining how communities respond to mental health challenges across the country.
The esteemed Alvah H. and Betty B. Chapman Humanitarian Award honors individuals who
embody the spirit of service and compassion that reflects the enduring legacy of Chapman
Partnership’s founders. Leifman joins a distinguished list of past recipients, including Timothy Adams, Peter Pruitt, Trish and Dan Bell, the late Sash A. Spencer, Betty B. Chapman, Carlos Fernandez-Guzman, Alberto Carvalho, Sherrill Hudson, and others.
The Illuminations Gala is Chapman Partnership’s largest annual fundraiser, uniting community
leaders, philanthropists, and advocates to support its mission of providing life-changing programs
and services that empower individuals and families experiencing homelessness to achieve self-sufficiency. This year’s gala is co-chaired by Heide and Jose “Pepe” Dans, with Laurie Jennings as Illuminary Hostess Extraordinaire and WOW MKTG producing the event. The black-tie evening will celebrate the donors and volunteers who have illuminated the path for more than 130,000 individuals experiencing homelessness.
For more information and sponsorship opportunities, please call 305-329-3092 or visit
www.chapmanpartnership.org/gala.
About Chapman Partnership:
Chapman Partnership was founded in 1995 and operates two Homeless Assistance Centers
with 800 beds located in downtown Miami and Homestead. The nonprofit provides a
comprehensive and innovative “village” of support for homeless men, women, and children. The support includes housing, meals, health and psychiatric care, after-school care, job training, job placement, and assistance with securing stable housing. At Chapman Partnership, aided by generous donors and sponsors, we empower the homeless, providing the tools and hope necessary to build a positive, independent future. An award-winning organization, Chapman Partnership is designated as a top ranked four-star charity from nationally recognized nonprofit evaluator Charity Navigator. Chapman Partnership is a private sector partner of the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust. Learn more at www.chapmanpartnership.org.
