Latest news with #Sarmiento
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
America First Healthcare Reviews: What Clients Are Saying About Their Coverage
ORLANDO, Fla., May 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Americans praise transparency, compassion, and real savings in a marketplace plagued by confusion and mistrust. More than ever, they're turning to private health insurance solutions that prioritize honesty, affordability, and clarity as the U.S. healthcare landscape changes. One Florida-based company, America First Healthcare, is gaining traction for doing just that, and verified reviews from both the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot suggest that clients are noticing the difference. Founded by entrepreneur Jordan Sarmiento after a personal medical crisis left him with $95,000 in hospital bills, America First Healthcare was built to give Americans a straightforward, trustworthy path to health coverage. Sarmiento says, 'I created this company so no one else would have to go through what I did. I used to feel helpless, overwhelmed, and unprotected.' And according to dozens of clients, that mission is succeeding. Customers have shared detailed accounts of exceptional service on the Better Business Bureau, where America First Healthcare is BBB-accredited with an A rating. In one verified five-star review, a customer wrote: 'Daniel was extremely helpful and answered every question I had. He thoroughly explained my coverage options and was very pleasant. Would definitely recommend America First Healthcare.' – BBB Verified Reviewer, December 2024 Based on verified reviews, America First Healthcare holds a TrustScore of over four stars with more than 90% positive reviews on Trustpilot. One recent reviewer enjoyed their experience with the company: 'I want to extend my sincere appreciation to Alejandro Ustariz for his outstanding service and support in helping me secure excellent dental insurance coverage. From the very beginning, he was knowledgeable, patient, and attentive to my specific needs. He spent ample amount of time to explain all the available options in a clear and understandable way, ensuring I made an informed decision.' – Verified Trustpilot Review, May 1 2025 Another client wrote: 'I want to extend my sincere appreciation to Alejandro Ustariz for his outstanding service and support in helping me secure excellent dental insurance coverage. From the very beginning, he was knowledgeable, patient, and attentive to my specific needs. He spent ample amount of time to explain all the available options in a clear and understandable way, ensuring I made an informed decision.' – Verified Trustpilot Review, February 2024 Sarmiento, who founded the company with a belief in small government and free-market healthcare solutions, has made it clear that America First Healthcare's goal is not just to sell policies, but to rebuild trust in private insurance. The founder, Sarmiento, says 'Our advisors aren't taught to close deals, they're taught to care,' said Sarmiento. 'We listen before we recommend. We explain without jargon. And we serve people like they matter. Because they do.' With a growing footprint nationwide and a client base that includes families, small business owners, and independent contractors, the company is quickly becoming a voice for Americans seeking health insurance without the games. Jordan Sarmiento and America First Healthcare are changing the tone of health insurance, one honest conversation at a time. ABOUT AMERICA FIRST HEALTHCAREAmerica First Healthcare is a private health insurance agency headquartered in Orlando, Florida. It is dedicated to helping Americans find honest, affordable healthcare coverage that works for their needs, not against them. Founded in 2021, the company believes in transparency, values-first service, and putting people over profits. MEDIA CONTACTJordan SarmientoFounder & CEO, America First HealthcareEmail: info@ 7700 Southland Blvd, Orlando, FL 32809Website: Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an "as-is" basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.
CBC
07-04-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Neither of these baseball teams has won a game in years. That's about to change
Social Sharing No matter who comes out on top during Tuesday's college baseball game in Teaneck, N.J., it will be a dramatic underdog victory. The Yeshiva University Maccabees and the Lehman College Lightning — two New York City teams that haven't won a single game in years — will face off in what one sports commentator has called "possibly the most electric college baseball game in history." "People are going to be fired up regardless of what happens, because someone has to win the game, and it's going to be someone's first win in like two years plus," baseball YouTuber Dan Sarmiento told As It Happens host Nil Köksal. "It's going to be a great atmosphere." 'A losing streak is tough' Lehman is a public college in New York City's Bronx neighbourhood, and its Lightning men's baseball team has lost its last 42 games. The team last tasted victory on May 9, 2023, when it beat New York's Baruch College. "Being on a losing streak is tough, especially a lengthy one," head coach Chris Delgado told CBC in an email. But Delgado says he has pride in his team, and he's not treating Tuesday's match differently than any other game. "Many people will measure success by the number of tallies in the wins column. However, results don't determine the type of program that we have. With the new coaching turnover, we're rebuilding a program that's establishing a strong foundation of excellence and integrity," he said. "Going into Tuesday's game we're going to prepare for Yeshiva the same way we prepare for any other opponent. No matter what the records show they're still an opponent and we must respect them as competitors. We will do our best to play hard, execute, and come out victorious." Yeshiva, a private Orthodox Jewish university with four campuses in New York City, is faring even worse than Lehman on the field. The Maccabees are currently riding a 99-game losing streak dating back to Feb. 27, 2022. A spokesperson for the team declined to comment. For the love of the game Sarmiento, who runs the YouTube channel Enjoy The Show, has been using his social media platform to hype up Tuesday's double-header between two of the "worst baseball teams in college history." One week ago, he promised his followers that if his video about the teams got more than 10,000 likes, he and his colleagues would head from Los Angeles to New Jersey to watch and cover the "historic game." So far, he says it's gotten 27,000 likes and counting across several platforms, and as of Monday, he was already en route to the big game. "It definitely tells me that, OK, people are interested in this," he said. It's not just the high stakes that interest Sarmiento. It's what the teams represent. "It definitely said something about their character. Like, the fact that they just keep showing up every day, putting in the work, knowing that they're severe underdogs," he said. "They just must love baseball." While it's possible the teams are losing so much because they're bad at baseball, Sarmiento says they could also be the victims of bad luck. "I'm also ready to be pleasantly surprised," he said. "[Division III] baseball gets a bad rap in general, but … there are some really good players at every level." In baseball, he says, winning doesn't always come down to talent, hard work or even luck. A lot of the time, he says, it's simply a matter of funding. He says he's planning to use his platforms to do some fundraising for both teams. "It is kind of like that car wreck thing where it's, like, you can't look away. But at the same time, I think we can spin it to a positive thing where it's kind of win-win," he said.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Protestors gather in response to ICE raid at East County business
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Protestors gathered at Civic Plaza in El Cajon in response to an ICE raid that took place at an East County business last week. 'Whether you're an immigrant or not, families across the country are seeing what's happening with these ICE raids and people are scared,' said Salvador Sarmiento, National Day Labor Organizing Network Campaign Director. Federal agents raided San Diego Powder & Protective Coatings near El Cajon last week — where people could be seen being guided away with zip ties around their wrists and questioned by federal agents. According to the Department of Justice, four employees now face charges, including the company's General Manager, John Washburn. He is charged with conspiracy to harbor aliens. Four charged as a result of federal search warrant at East County business The three other employees are charged with using false documents to work in the U.S., which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, if convicted. 'Somebody's parent was deported after working at the company for 18 years… all that we did was cripple that family. That's what we did,' said Mairene Branham, Latinos En Accion President. Concerned community members gathered Tuesday afternoon at Civic Plaza in El Cajon as concerns about deportations have been intensifying since the raid last week. '…United States should be showing the rest of the world how democracy works, and we're not showing it now,' said Steve Jesionka, a Spring Valley resident. Federal agents conduct operation in unincorporated El Cajon 'Today (Tuesday) we're here in front of the City Council to make sure that we uncover the truth about what the mayor of El Cajon is doing to separate more families,' said Sarmiento. The group filed an open public records request with the City of El Cajon. 'To make sure we can uncover the truth about the city, and particularly the mayor and city council members Ortiz and Goble, what kind of collusion and complicity they have in these ICE operations happening to their own neighbors. What's happening here in El Cajon, talking about whether the city is involved in Federal immigration enforcement, with family separations, that's a huge issue of public concern and people should have information about it,' added Sarmiento. Branham says she believes access to this information will help the people of El Cajon make informed decisions during the next election. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Los Angeles Times
05-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Views of Orange County at ‘Omnivision' art exhibit in Santa Ana
There isn't one way to view all the beautiful scenery Southern California has to offer, but multiple points of view are gathered in one place for 'Omnivision: Art Across Boundaries.' The art exhibit on display at the Old Orange County Courthouse in Santa Ana now through March 13 is hosted by OC Parks and the Southern California Plein Air Painters Assn., with more than 180 original paintings featured. Scenes of nature, cityscapes and florals in the Golden State all painted by local Orange County artists make up the diverse show. 'Orange County is home to so many talented individuals,' Orange County Board of Supervisor, Vicente Sarmiento said in a statement. Sarmiento attended a ribbon-cutting for the show on Jan. 30, ahead of its opening reception on Feb.1. He has worked with OC Parks to bring art exhibits to the Old Orange County Courthouse in the past, like a Chicano art exhibit from the private collection of Cheech Marin last summer. Sarmiento was accompanied by Steve Sandborg and Dawn Buckingham, president and vice president respectively of the Southern California Plein Air Painters Assn. Plein air, the French term for 'in the open air,' is the practice of painting outside, which allows an artist to capture its subject in natural light. The practice was popularized in the 1870s with the invention of tube paint. As painting materials became more portable, a proper studio became less of a requirement for painting. The work in 'Omnivision' continues the tradition of plein air painting, while offering individual perspectives of quintessential scenes of California life, like Orange County beaches. Founded in 2001 by Margaret 'Maggie' Jamison as a small gathering of artists from a painting class at Irvine Valley College taught by Jack Horn, the Southern California Plein Air Painters Assn. has since grown into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to bring artists of all skill levels together. 'Attention aspiring artists! Are you hesitant to join our plein air painting club because you lack experience?' a statement on the Southern California Plein Air Painters Assn.'s website reads. 'Fear not! Our group is all about learning and growing together.' Members can enjoy weekly in-person paint-outs and inspiring Zoom meetings along with other community engagement. Besides building camaraderie among local plein air artists, the association is dedicated to supporting local conservation efforts to protect O.C.'s natural landscape. Members' paintings can be found on view year round at OC Parks' Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve in the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center. Additionally, the association works to promote arts education, and 'Omnivision' includes artwork by students from the Orange County School of Arts in Santa Ana. 'It is wonderful to have a place in the heart of the county, at the historic Old Orange County Courthouse, to display the work of local artists where others can be inspired and introduced to a new art medium,' Sarmiento said. The artwork in the gallery is for sale, with all proceeds going directly to the artist. The exhibit is free and open to view at the Old Orange County Courthouse gallery Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through March 13.
Miami Herald
30-01-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Their love of pickleball led them to open an indoor facility just for the game
Bad weather is good business for indoor pickleball facilities — just ask Isabel Alonso. She's the co-owner of Miami's Dinko Pickleball Complex, which is normally open every day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. But exceptions have been made. 'The week we had a hurricane threat, we stayed open until midnight, and we were booked solid,' Alonso said. 'Anytime there's a hurricane, you can expect us to be open until midnight.' One of two indoor pickleball-only facilities Dinko, a four-court, 11,000-square-foot facility at 6301 NE Fourth Ave., is one of just two indoor pickleball-only facilities in Miami-Dade County. The other is The Yards, which has eight courts and is at 7551 W. Fourth Ave. in Hialeah. As for Dinko — which was named after one of the most important shots in pickleball, the dink — the idea for the complex was the brainchild of Maria Sarmiento, 55, and Alonso, 48. They met nearly two years ago while playing pickleball at Miami Shores Country Club. A connection was quickly formed between Alonso, Sarmiento and other players. Alonso, a Cuban-American from Miami, has a sports background — she's the former Champagnat Catholic School athletics director. Sarmiento, a native of Bogota, Colombia, has a bachelor's degree in Toy Design from New York's Fashion Institute of Technology. Besides having more than two decades of experience coming up with toy concepts and selling them to major companies, Sarmiento is an accomplished athlete as a soccer player, swimmer and equestrian. Soon after meeting, they and four other friends starting playing together regularly. Shortly thereafter, a Dinko logo was created; T-shirts were made; fun was had; and a team was built. 'I decided to host a tournament (at Miami Shores Country Club),' Alonso said. 'I don't even remember who won. But I know that at the end of the tournament, we all sprayed champagne. We just had a blast.' Added Sarmiento: 'Isa brought the champagne. She loves to celebrate.' The next big event was a trip to Puerto Rico, where more pickleball was played. 'Who doesn't have a good time in Puerto Rico?' Alonso joked. From there, Alonso, Sarmiento and a group of about 30 friends – including former NBA standout Jose Juan Barea – traveled to a tournament in Daytona Beach. 'By the time we went to Daytona, people were recognizing our brand,' Sarmiento said. 'People wanted to have a Dinko T-shirt. They wanted to be part of our team. 'People gravitate toward us because they see how we root for each other. Everybody in Florida knows about Dinko. When they see us, they say: 'Here comes Dinko. Here comes trouble!'' Daytona was a turning point. 'It was amazing — the energy, the vibe and the passion for the game,' Alonso said. 'We now had a team of players, but we didn't have a set place to practice.' That's where the lightbulb — in Dinko's neon pink, of course – lit up for Alonso and Sarmiento, who decided to find a warehouse where they could build a pickleball palace. They found one on Miami's Upper East Side, but only after rejecting about 60 other locations. 'For many places, the ceiling wasn't tall enough,' Sarmiento said. 'This is our pilot concept that we hope to replicate in different places.' Sarmiento and Alonso signed their lease in May and opened Dinko on July 20. But before they opened their doors, they had to worry about attracting customers. So, naturally, they contacted Lily Azel, who knows everybody in the sport. They also reached out to Matt Endara and his wife, Cantillon. Then, something amazing happened. Alonso and Sarmiento asked Azel if she would be their first member. Azel said yes, and she started spreading the Dinko word. 'Before we opened our doors, we already had 50 members,' Alonso said. 'It was insane. We hadn't even sent out pictures of the place.' Big turnout at opening Later, at the Dinko grand opening, Alonso said she expected a nice gathering of about 20 pickleball players. Instead, 300 people attended. 'It was a party,' Alonso said. 'We had the ribbon cutting. We had pro players mingling. 'At one point, I looked at Maria and said: 'Take it all in because this is mind-blowing.'' Since then, Dinko has continued to grow. Well-known sports figures have dropped by, including the Houston Rockets coaching staff and former University of Miami basketball standout Tonye Jekiri, a 7-foot center who is now playing pro ball in Moscow. Dinko is now hosting corporate events, birthday parties, tournaments and clinics where pro players come in to give tips to amateur players. 'We're blessed with the support we have received from the community in Miami and Miami Beach and Miami Shores,' Alonso said. 'They all said yes to us, and they continue to say yes.' Especially when it rains. Here's where else to play indoor pickleball in Miami-Dade ▪ Alper JCC (6 courts) ▪ Aventura Community Center (4 courts) ▪ Life Time in Pinecrest (3 courts) ▪ Scott Rakow Youth Center in Miami Beach (3 courts) ▪ North Shore in Miami Beach (3 courts) ▪ Jose Martí Park (2 courts) If you have any suggestions on future columns, please email wvilla07@
