June 2015 Newsletter

Everyone from our firewall family, mentors, volunteers and donors made this year a successful one!

One of our volunteers expressed to their Center how much this year meant to them: “I’ve loved working with you all every Tuesday. It always made my week and kept me going… knowing that I had you guys to look forward to.” 
Firewall Centers

We would like to take a moment to truly thank each Firewall mentor that dedicated their time to the 350 Firewall students.
From the moment the students come after school to sign in at the Center, they are greeted with a smile or hug from their mentor. Not only are they role models to the 10 students they are oversee, but these Firewall mentors also push these students to make the best grades they are capable of.
“Firewall is a place of love, healing and transformation not only for the students, but for everyone who walks through its doors. I am so grateful for the time I spent here. The most important lesson I learned is to never quit, no matter the situation, because anything is possible if you believe,” said Jen, Firewall mentor pictured below.
Firewall mentor, Jen, checking Firewall student assignments
Monday through Thursday, mentors are check the students’ homework assignments and helping them with any difficult subject areas. The bonds the students form with their mentors made it hard to say goodbye at the end of this year.


If you or anyone you know is interested in making an impact in students’ lives during the 2015-2016 school year, don’t hesitate tovisit our website and apply. 

Mentors Wanted

On Tuesday, May 19th, we had our annual awards ceremony! It was incredible to see all of our students, parents, staff, supporters, and volunteers gathered together to celebrate at Firewall’s annual award’s ceremony.
At the event hosted by Eric Yutzy of Channel 10 News, students graduating from Middle and High School were recognized for their amazing accomplishment!
Award Ceremony 2015
Guest speaker, Ginger Martin, talked about her climb to the top ofMount Kilimanjaro and shared with the audience of the difficulty in reaching her goal. The students were silent as Ginger told them that no matter how slow they feel that they are going, they are taking steps towards their goals and will get there.
Several raffles were done during the night and lucky students won prizes if their name was drawn. All seven Centers were recognized and took the stage, receiving their certificate along the way.

Servant Leader at Awards Ceremony
The Firewall parents that were in attendance were recognized for all the effort they put into the lives of their children. Without their support, Firewall would not be successful. We would like to thank these parents again for the important role they play in the lives of these students.
Thank you to all our supporters that have helped grow Firewall this year and for next year. Stay tuned this summer for more updates on what the Firewall staff is up to!
Sincerely,
Firewall Centers

AT&T Grant Supports Firewall Centers – Help At-Risk Youth Succeed

DAVIE, Fla. (June 4th, 2015) – Firewall Centers was awarded a generous $25,000.00 grant from AT&T to expand its T.H.I.N.K. Leadership High School program, which provides low-income students with resources to improve their academic success and increase readiness for college and career.

In Broward County, only 68% of low-income students graduate. Firewall targets these youth, as its High School Centers are located in impoverished areas with high incarnation rates and need for revitalization. Through mentoring, tutoring, and “Success Plans” that individualize each student’s future track as they transition from middle school, into high school, and eventually college/career, the students in this program are provided with the support system they need to move out of poverty and on to a pathway towards self-sufficiency.

Upon admission, Firewall staff begins daily communication with parents and school staff to best support student success. To remain in the T.H.I.N.K. Leadership program, students commit to attend Monday through Thursday after-school and to participate in all program activities. In addition to mentoring, tutoring, and Success Plans, the program instills character values and leadership principles in students through an integrated curriculum, service responsibility requirements, and point-based incentive system. Students are even provided with in-house internship opportunities and scholarships, interactive job readiness classes, and college/career guidance.

In 2012, AT&T chose Firewall Centers as 1 out of only 47 recipients of its Aspire grant. The Aspire initiative supported organizations like Firewall who stood out from thousands of others across the nation when it came to equipping students with the skills they need to succeed as well as in their ability to use data to demonstrate the effectiveness and results of its program. Specifically, these results are measured through student improvement in the areas of school attendance, behavior, and course performance (ABC’s). This past year, 95% of Firewall students received at least 100 hours of program services over the course of the school year, 92% maintained and/or improved their GPA in core academic subjects, and 100% were promoted to the next grade level and/or graduated.

Through this $25,000.00 grant from AT&T  as well as additional support from like-minded donors, Firewall will be able to transform the lives of 450 at-risk students during the upcoming 2015/16 school year.

To find out more about what the AT&T Foundation is doing to support our community, visit http://about.att.com/csr.