miami bridge youth & family services, inc....miami bridge youth testimonial "there...
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Miami Bridge Youth & Family Services, Inc.Miami Dade's Only Emergency Shelter for Children
Monthly Electronic Newsletter February 2016
Greetings:
Back in the day, it was the "old folks" who used to say, "any day aboveground is a good day"!
Today, children's lives are lost to violence at an alarming rate. For manychildren, in OUR city, this quote is not something they will someday say - it'sthe story of their everyday lives!
Miami Bridge is not immune to this reality; but, as an 'emergency' shelter, weonly have a limited time to effect change for our youth. We've witnessed toomany of our youth leave our shelters only to be raped, murdered, or arrested forviolent crimes.
I, along with Superintendent Alberto Carvalho and State Attorney KatherineFernandez Rundle, have grown weary of the press conferences explaining thetaking of innocent lives in the community and Miami Bridge seeks toimplement change. We have the power to transform lives and know we could domore if our children were to remain with us for a longer period of time. So weare looking at our model and encourage our community members and partnersto do the same. Our kids are depending on us all... God Bless, Dorcas
Miami Bridge Youth Testimonial "There isn't too much I can say about my life because I'm stillyoung. However, despite my age, I have stumbled on manyproblems. With family, I can say that my mother and I never gotalong. We eventually decided I should live with my grandmother.At first, my grandmother and I got along... then, we got intoaltercations and some of them resulted in fights. We both agreedit was better for me to go to Miami Bridge. Honestly, I am glad wemade that decision. I know, coming out of the Bridge, I will be abetter person." - Jasmine, 14 years old
Black History Luncheon In This Issue
Black History LuncheonBathroom Makeovers
Karaoke NightRock the Bike Event
Cooking with EduardoTake Your Child to Work Day
PAMM Arts GroupPark Outing
Motown the MusicalSuperbowl Sunday
*Thank you!
February DonorsVolunteer Opportunities
Shelter NeedsUpcoming Events!
THANK YOU!
Many thanks to MedtronicMedical Group (via LittleLighthouse Organization) forthe book bag giveaway to ouryouth!
February Donors
Nike
Jacqueline Rodriguez
Chris Delapena
Eat Time, Inc.
Ultimate Software
Miami Bridge Youth performed to the delight of their peersand staff from both shelters as well as community leaderswho were invited to attend. Learning about our historystrengthens our kids' awareness of themselves and ourcommunity's roots. It was a lot of fun!!
Bathroom Makeovers
Our Central shelter dorm room bathrooms got a creativeand beautiful paint makeover by Mary Montes. The kidslove the new look!
Karaoke Night
The Business School of France (via Little LighthouseOrganization) came over to sing karaoke with our youth. Welove having members of the community come over andentertain our kids. It is a great opportunity for team buildingand exposing our kids to positive role models. If you areinterested, please, call us 305.636.3529.
Rock the Bike Nutrition Event
Lourdes Canino
Morgan Stanley Foundation
Jane Nassivera
Mark Lopez
Volunteer Opportunities
We encourage our community tovolunteer and participate withour youth. Any assistance canmake a difference in a child'slife.
Here are ways you can help:
Data entry (up to 10hours per week)
Become a mentorthrough our MentoringProgram
Tutor our youth
Give a youth job training
Plan an activity for ourchildren and teens
Volunteer Event:
Dinner is an opportunity to dineand fellowship with the BridgeFamily. We are looking forindividuals, families, or groupsto come in, prepare dinner andeat with our wonderful staff andkids. We can provide the food oryou may bring your own food aswell!Please note: Uncooked foodmust be prepared on ourpremises. We WILL welcomeyou with a huge smile and aloving environment.
The volunteer hours for cookingdinner for the youth are 4:30PM to 7:30 PM. (daily)
If you would like to volunteer,serve as a mentor or plan anactivity for our youth, pleasecall 305.636-3529 or [email protected].
Shelter Needs
Many of our children arrivewith little to no personal
belongings. We can always usepajamas and undergarments.New or gently used sneakersare always helpful too. Your
donations are very muchappreciated!
Upcoming Events!
PAMM Art Program Carnival Arts FIU Basketball Games Sky Zone Outing Cirque du Soleil
Molina Healthcare put on a fun event for our youth andtaught the value and importance of exercise and propernutrition. Molina, thanks for thinking of our kids and givingthem the tools to take control of their general well being.
Cooking with Eduardo
Eduardo Prada, one of our very own Youth Activity Workers,continued his tradition of cooking with our kids. Theyprepared angel rice, platanos maduros and chicken withvegetables. Do you have a hobby you would like to sharewith our youth? Give us a call at 305.636.3529.
Take Your Child to Work Day
Super Wheels Skating Saint Patrick's Day Movie& Ice Cream Social Karaoke Night Dinner with The PipingGourmets Miami Heat vs. DenverNuggets Basketball Game
Join Our Mailing List
Contact Us
Miami Bridge Youth & FamilyServices, Inc.
2810 NW South River DriveMiami, FL 33125Ph. 305-635-8953
Miami Bridge was delighted to participate in Miami-DadeCounty Public School's "Take Your Child to Work Day."Thedate coincided with our quarterly "All-Staff Meeting" so wemade sure to make it a family affair. Many thanks to ourcook, Jack, for breaking out the BBQ Grill and making hotdogs and hamburgers for all! Lunchtime was the highlight ofthe day for our guest kids who joined Miami Bridge youth inplaying video games, pool, and even jumping around in abounce house.
Miami Bridge = Family.
PAMM Arts Group
The kids had a wonderful time at the Pérez Art MuseumMiami. Here at Miami Bridge we like to expose the youth tothe arts so they can explore their creative side. Do youhave an idea where we can take our kids next? Let usknow. You can write us at [email protected].
Park Outing
Miami Bridge regularly provides youth with a chance to bekids - a luxury they are not always afforded outside of theBridge. Thanks to our Program Coordinator, Chastity Hart,for making sure our youth can enjoy a safe and fun day atthe park.
Motown the Musical
Miami Bridge Youth attended the Adrienne Arsht Center forMotown the Musical. To most of our kids, this was the firsttime they go to experience one of Miami-Dade's mostimportant cultural assets. Our goal is to help our youth seea world of options and career paths.
Superbowl Sunday
Superbowl '50' was party time for our youth.
Miami Bridge Board of Directors
We are accepting candidates for the Board of Directors. For more information please email [email protected] or call (305) 636-3520.
Adrian Delancy- PresidentAttorney, Markowitz, Ringel, Trusty & Hartog
Jahan Islami- Vice PresidentAttorney, Cozen O'Connor
Beatriz Martin- TreasurerPartner, Vizcaino Zomerfeld, LLP
Alexander Lian- SecretaryAttorney, Lian & Associates
Michael AlvarezPartner, BenTrust Financial
Joseph CantrellStaff Supervisor, SMGQ Law
Maria Carvalho Owner, Miami Chic, LLC
Mayling ExpositoSenior Vice President, Florida Community Bank
Dee Dee FischerPartner, Akerman LLP
Peggy FucciPresident & CEO, One World Properties
Alfred Karram, Jr.Owner & Chief Designer, AKJ Design Concepts LLC
Monique MosleyCo-Founder, Always Believing Foundation
Dr. Todd Giardina Licensed Psychologist -
Coral Gables Counseling Center
Patrick Erin MurphyU.S. Congressman, FL 18th District
Marlene QuintanaShareholder, GrayRobinson P.A.
George WhitePastor, Mission Church
Province "Boo" ZamekPresident, JustAskBoo, LLC
Judy Reinach- Director Emeritus
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