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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, Oct. 25, 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 and 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, call 305-329-3092 or visit www.chapmanpartnership.org/gala.
Learn more at www.chapmanpartnership.org.
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