Author: C&I

August 2017 Newsletter

The 2017 – 2018 school year is officially underway! This week, we welcomed returning and new students at our Centers and are excited for what the year has in store.

Before the school year began, we had a very successful mentor training and partnered with Calvary Chapel Plantation to get our students ready for school! See more below!


Firewall mentor and student

Our Mentors Are Ready to Make A Difference

Earlier this month, our 52 Firewall Mentors went through an in-depth training to prepare for a successful school year. Through this training, Mentors learned the importance of developing meaningful relationships with their students while ensuring that they achieve academic success and build their character.

Specifically, Firewall AmeriCorps Mentors were trained on daily procedures like signing students in using a biometric fingerprint scanner, taking them out for recreational activities, and managing their behavior. They also learned how to use Pinnacle (Broward County’s grade tracking system) and other academic tools and resources to tutor and help students with homework. Mentors were equipped to use Firewall’s point-based incentive system and to teach lessons from its character building curriculum.


Mentors completing team building exercises at training


Some of our High School Firewall AmeriCorps Mentors

Thank you Calvary Chapel Plantation! 

We are always grateful for our amazing partners. This month, we wanted to recognize Calvary Chapel Plantation!

With their help, we were able to host a breakfast for the teachers at Bair Middle School as they prepared for the school year. Calvary Chapel Plantation also organized a backpack give-a-way for over 200 Firewall students and their families! The night consisted of fun activities, a BBQ, and ended with the students being able to pick out their own backpacks.

Thank you Calvary Chapel Plantation for your outstanding support and for helping our families and teachers prepare for an amazing school year!


Bair Middle School teachers at breakfast


Firewall students and mentor at Calvary Chapel Backpack Give-a-way


Firewall sixth grader at Backpack Give-a-way


Younger sister of a Firewall student

BIG News Coming Next Month! 

We are excited to introduce you to our 2 new Centers! So stay tuned for the September Newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to see what’s happening daily at our Centers! This year is going to be the best year yet.

Sincerely,

Firewall Centers

July 2017 Newsletter

Summer 2017 has been a great one for Firewall. We successfully launched three summer programs, and we also won a community award!

Our Summer Program was a Blast!

In the last month, we served over 100 students through our three summer programs! Incoming 6th and 7th graders reviewed math, science, and language arts skills, and completed hands-on projects to learn about the importance of water conservation and taking care of the environment.

Even during the summer, students were excited to come to Firewall and enhance their academic skills so they can be more prepared for the upcoming school year. “I was blown away by how the students actively participated and were so excited to learn,” said Taylor, Lead Mentor at our Lauderhill 6-12 summer program.

 Firewall Mentor and students
       Firewall students creating their very own paper mache Earths
      Firewall students practicing their debate skills
        Pompano Beach Middle Summer Program

We are already looking forward to next summer and hope to launch even more programs!

Monica Kirkland, Renee Law, Tate Tenorio, Andy Fernandez, Kerri Vittimberga, Jil Larkin, Aaron McKee (left to right)

We won Class Choice Award!

We are honored to announce that the Leadership Broward Foundation’s Class of XXXV selected our THINK Leadership Speaker Series to receive their Class Choice Award! Leadership Broward did such an incredible job bringing in engaging speakers from the community to inspire our students, and we are very grateful.

Thank you Leadership Broward Class of XXXV for all of your efforts and for this award!

We need your help! 

There is only one month left until school starts, and we still have openings for our AmeriCorps Firewall Mentor position! Do you know any recent high school graduates or college students who are looking to make a difference this school year? Share this information today!

The position is August 2017 – June 2018, Monday – Thursday, and the hours are around 3:00-6:00 p.m.

Mentors will:

  • Build lasting relationships and help with homework/tutoring

  • Model positive behaviors to students

  • Receive bi-weekly pay and an education award

Those interested can apply online at http://2zm.dbb.myftpupload.com/apply

We hope you continue to enjoy your summer and get ready for exciting news next month!
Sincerely,

Firewall Centers

Meet the Mentors – Pt. 1

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Firewall Centers sat down with Nirmel to learn about all his experience as a Mentor at Firewall. 

***

Q: How long have you been working for Firewall Centers?

Nirmel: This would actually be my second year. I was also a mentor for my first year at Western High School. I honestly prefer working with high school because that’s where my heart is at; it’s where I want to teach because I want to be a History teacher.

 

Q: What made you want to return and continue your role as a mentor?

Nirmel: One, because I like the job. Two, because I like having the work experience and I want to build on that experience as well. Since I want to be a teacher…continuing my role as a mentor will prepare me for it. Teaching is where my calling is, where my passion is, and history is my favorite subject. You can make so many good discussions, arguments, or lessons from history.

 

Q: What is the hardest part of being a mentor?

Nirmel: The hardest part is classroom/behavior control because you have to adapt to the individual as well as the general group of students you’ll have. If they’re all rowdy, you have to tell them to be quiet or if one is being rowdy, you have to tell that one person to be quite while handling the others simultaneously.

 

Q: Any advice to adapt with these issues for different students? 

Nirmel: Really try to have patience, because if you don’t you’re not going to help the situation at all. Also, don’t be offended by what they say because know that (1) they’re students and kids and you’re the adult and (2) their words have no power over you. You want to make the situation better, but if you get offended you’re going to make the situation worse.

 

Q: What is the most rewarding part of being a mentor?

Nirmel: It’s seeing, especially at the end of the year, how much growth the student has made in terms of their grades, but also in terms of their character and even in self-esteem. Also, on a spiritual level as well.

 

Q: What is something that a mentor should expect at their Center? 

Nirmel: A mentor should expect to be ‘tried’. Students will pick at a lot of different aspects of your life when in actuality it’s not true. Also, mentors should expect outbursts from students especially in a middle school environment because students are more vocal.

 

Q: Any advice for future mentors?

Nirmel: As I said before, have the patience, but also know that you’re not just doing this for the pay. You’re doing this to make an impact in the student’s life because you’ll practically be like their older brother or sister and literally their mentor to show them from right to wrong. You are the voice that tells them how things should and should not be and an ear to listen to. You never know what a student could be going through. You’re going to be part of their lives.

 

 

***

Thank you for all you do Nirmel!

 

June 2017 Newsletter

The school year is officially over and our summer programs have begun! Here are some end-of-year announcements and a recap on our annual awards ceremony.

Three Summer Programs!

 Firewall doesn’t end when the school year does. This week, we launched summer programs at Lauderhill 6-12 School, Pompano Beach Middle School, and the Orange Park Community Center serving Indian Ridge Middle students.

Last year was our first time running a summer program. We started at Lauderhill 6-12 with 35 students, and this year, we are serving a total of 103 students across three schools this summer.

Students completing a group activity and learning how to ‘Take Charge.’

Incoming 6th and 7th graders are receiving character-building curriculum lessons and academic enrichment daily during these next three to five weeks. The theme of the program is “Water,” and students will be learning about water conservation and taking care of our planet Earth. We are excited for our students to continue to be impacted during the summer!

We are looking for AmeriCorps Firewall Mentors!

If you know any recent high school graduates or college students who are looking to build their resume and gain experience, send them our way! We are accepting applications for the mentor position.

  • August 2017 – June 2018
  • Monday – Thursday, around 3:00-6:00 p.m.
  • Build lasting relationships and help with homework/tutoring
  • Receive bi-weekly pay and an education award

Those interested can apply online at http://2zm.dbb.myftpupload.com/apply

 

Firewall Centers’ Awards Ceremony Recap

On May 23rd, Firewall held its annual awards ceremony at Calvary Chapel Plantation.

The ceremony was a great experience for everyone in attendance as we recognized our seniors, honored some outstanding students, and heard from our keynote speaker, accomplished artist George Gadson!

Gadson started as a banker until he discovered his passion for art, and has since been commissioned to create local monuments, sculptures for the Super Bowl, and more. Gadson truly inspired our students by reminding them that they are not a mistake and were born to have a purpose. He said, ‘Choice, not chance, determines your destiny.’

It is hard to say good bye to our graduates, but we are confident that they have the resources and drive to succeed in their next stage of life.

2016-2017 Firewall Awards Ceremony

Stay tuned for more updates from our summer programs and general announcements for the coming 2017-2018 school year!

Sincerely,

Firewall Centers

May 2017 Newsletter

The school year is coming to a close, and it’s hard to believe that Serve-A-Thon was almost one month ago! We wanted to spend some time to reflect on how much the event impacted our students.

#FirewallServes: Serve-A-Thon Recap

Our 4th Annual Serve-A-Thon was a great success! Firewall students took Broward by storm, serving at 6 project sites across the county. Read what our students have to say about giving back after Serve-A-Thon 2017!

What is one positive thing you will remember from Serve-A-Thon?

‘I will remember how the people we served left with smiles and how every time we gave them food or clothing, they were very thankful.’ – Demila, Grade 6, Pompano Beach

  

How has Serve-A-Thon changed the way you think about giving back and community service?’

‘Serving makes me feel fortunate and helps me understand that I should be grateful for what I have.’ – Kim Torres, Grade 7, Indian Ridge Middle                         

                                             

Now that Serve-A-Thon is over, what are some ways you will continue to serve?

‘I want to help people and start to do community service whenever I can.’ – Rashidah, Grade 6, Bair

If you want to see more pictures from the day and how our students served, check out our Serve-A-Thon 2017 Facebook album, here.

We’re hiring!

 We are NOW recruiting AmeriCorps Firewall mentors for the 2017-2018 school year! Job duties include building lasting relationships, providing homework help/tutoring, and modeling positive behaviors to students.


Those interested can apply online at http://2zm.dbb.myftpupload.com/apply 

Our students are transforming into servant leaders thanks to your support, and we are proud of everything they have accomplished this year. We can’t wait to see what next year has in store!

Sincerely,

Firewall Centers

400 At-Risk Students Complete a Countywide Day of Service

400 At-Risk Students Complete a Countywide Day of Service
 Firewall Centers’ participants are given a hands-on opportunity to learn that serving is way of life at the 4th annual Serve-A-Thon

DAVIE, Fla. (Apr. 29th, 2017) – On Saturday, April 29th, Firewall Centers held its fourth annual Serve-A-Thon presented by SunTrust Bank, where over 400 Firewall students, their mentors, and volunteers engaged in six meaningful service projects throughout Broward County.

“It was an absolute honor and delight to serve alongside students in the Firewall program. The positive influence that Firewall is having in the lives of the students is life-changing. These students will certainly stay in school, graduate high school and move on to become successful servant leaders,” said JoAnne Daudt, Firewall Centers’ Board Member and founder and Estate Planning Attorney of JoAnne Larson Daudt, P.A.

Serve-A-Thon is a countywide day of service during which Firewall Centers partners with local nonprofits to teach Firewall students, who come from poverty and difficult circumstances, the value of serving and impacting the community.

SunTrust Bank was the presenting sponsor of the 4th Annual Serve-A-Thon and volunteers from SunTrust also served with the students. Other sponsors that helped make Serve-A-Thon possible included Guy Brickman of State Farm, Stonegate Bank, and Steel Fabricators, LLC. Community leaders from Leadership Broward Class of XXXV also came to volunteer with the Firewall students.

Upon arriving at their service sites, students enjoyed breakfast that was generously donated by Walmart. Firewall students from Western High School and Indian Ridge Middle School sorted through 19,367 lbs. of food which provided 16,139 meals for hungry families with Feeding South Florida. Students from Pompano Beach Middle School fed the homeless, packaged meals, and distributed clothes with Hope South Florida, a nonprofit that provides services to the homeless and hurting individuals and families.

A group from Bair Middle School cleaned and restored Snyder Park in Fort Lauderdale by removing over 500 pounds invasive species in the gardens, painting, and cleaning leaves and trash. Crystal Lake Middle School and Lauderhill 6-12 School helped restore the dunes and provide habitats for local animals at the Lauderdale-by-the-Sea beach by planting over 5,000 sea-oats with the Youth Environmental Alliance (YEA) through Hands On Broward.

Firewall students from Plantation High School sorted 3000 pounds of mixed electronics at ARC Tech, which provides job opportunities for young adult clients with autism and other developmental disabilities. Finally, Blanche Ely High School cleaned and organized Gilda’s Club South Florida, a community center that offers free programs for those who have been touched by cancer.

“By volunteering [at Gilda’s Club], Firewall Center students and mentors allowed our staff to perform the critical cancer support services needed, while volunteers gave every room in our facility a facelift. We are grateful for your leadership,” said Kim Praitano, CEO of Gilda’s Club South Florida.

Once the service projects were completed, all of the students and volunteers gathered at Snyder Park for a celebration that included lunch, music, and sports competitions.

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-Firewall Centers-

About Firewall Centers

Firewall was established in 2003 in response to the death of a thirteen year old girl who overdosed on drugs while left unsupervised during after-school hours. Ever since, the agency has been operating daily after-school tutoring and mentoring centers for at-risk students that instill character values and promote academic success, supporting them as they strive toward their greatest potential. For the 2016/2017 school year, Firewall’s T.H.I.N.K. Leadership program has eight Centers and is serving 400 Broward county students. The program’s overarching objective is to improve performance outcomes among at-risk students as related to their school attendance, behavior, and course performance, thus helping them to ultimately achieve self-sufficiency as they pursue their life goals. You can learn more about Firewall Centers and how you can get involved at www.firewallcenters.org or follow them at www.facebook.com/firewallcenters

April 2017 Newsletter

Our annual Serve-A-Thon is just 2 weeks away, and we wanted to share some success stories from our Blanche Ely high school center and update you on how our students will be serving Broward.

Berenice and Maylika are seniors at Blanche Ely High School. Recently, Maylika pulled her mentor Tera aside and started crying.

She said, “I just want to thank you for what you guys in Firewall are doing for me. You are really helping me.” Then she presented Tera with a graduation ticket and said Berenice had one for one for their other mentor Emily. When she asked if they would be able to attend, Tera and Emily tearfully responded with a BIG yes!

Students get a limited number of tickets for graduation,
so Tera and Emily were extremely touched that Maylika and Berenice thought of them. They consider each other as family.

 

Mentors impact does not end with their seniors

Kenny is an 11th grader who has been in Firewall since 6th grade. He was recently inducted into the National Honor Society and was also recognized as Servant Leader of the Quarter. He attributes his success and serving mentality to the amazing example his mentors Emily and Tera set for him every day. Their willingness to assist him with his work and even stay really late to make sure he succeeds is the reason Kenny stays with Firewall year after year.

Across all eight of our centers, our AmeriCorps Firewall Mentors are making a huge impact on their students every day, just like Emily and Tera. We are so proud to have such a strong team.

 

 

We Have a Matching Challenge!

To our students, Firewall is a safe-haven, a home, and a family. Now we have the chance to reach students at Dillard 6-12 next school year and give them the same opportunities as Kenny, Maylika, and Berenice.

Thanks to a private foundation, every dollar you give until April 29th will be doubled up to $50,000. So far, we raised 28% of our goal! Please consider giving today; your gift will make a difference. You can give online at www.firewallcenters.org/serve-a-thon/

 

Broward County, prepare to get served on April 29th

Firewall’s 4th Annual Serve-A-Thon, presented by SunTrust, is on 4/29! On that day, our 400+ students, their mentors, and volunteers will be impacting the Broward County community by:

+ Feeding the homeless at Hope South Florida
+ Organizing and cleaning at Gilda’s Club South Florida
+ Recycling electronics with ARC Tech
+ Packaging meals for hungry families at Feeding South Florida
+ Planting native sea oats to help with dune restoration at Lauderdale-by-the-Sea with Youth Environmental Alliance
+ Landscaping, painting and cleaning up Snyder Park with the City of Fort Lauderdale

Serve-A-Thon is a great opportunity to teach our students that even though they don’t have much, they can still give back in large ways and make a difference. It is going to be an awesome day!

Enjoy your week, and as always, thanks for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Firewall Centers

March 2017 Newsletter

March is in full swing, and we wanted to give you an update on our speaker series, share an awesome success story about one of our AmeriCorps Firewall Mentors, and announce an award that one of our staff received.

T.H.I.N.K. Leadership Speaker Series makes an impact


8th grade Firewall student Louie aspires to be a policeman like Captain Kevin after hearing him speak

Over the last two months, Leadership Broward’s Class of XXXV has brought many amazing individuals to our centers to speak and inspire our students.

Captain Kevin Granville from Broward Sheriff’s Office was one of the scheduled speakers, and he visited our Indian Ridge Middle and Crystal Lake Middle School Centers.

When Captain Kevin was a kid, a policeman came to speak to his class and it was through that experience that he realized his true calling. Now, speaking to youth is one of his favorite things to do.

Our students learned that Captain Kevin’s brain is his most important piece of equipment that he uses on the job. He also encouraged them to “not be afraid to be who [they] are, regardless of what people say.”

Thanks Captain Kevin for positively impacting our students, and thank you Leadership Broward Class of XXXV for connecting our students to such great role models!

Naomi and her AmeriCorps Firewall Mentor, Taylor

Meet Taylor. She is a part of our AmeriCorps Firewall Mentor team, and we wanted to share a quick story of how she’s been connecting with her students.

Recently, Western High School had a college and career fair so after the Center closed, Taylor went with Naomi and another Firewall Student. Having Taylor with her gave Naomi the confidence to approach the college reps to ask key questions. They went to each table together and Naomi asked, “Do you have a good criminology program?” Taylor was proud to support Naomi as she prepared for her future, and was even mistaken as a high school student by some of the reps!

Naomi’s Firewall middle school mentors say they remember the academic and behavior difficulties she faced, and are thrilled to see how much she has grown and matured. They can hardly believe it’s already time for her to start looking at colleges to attend! Keep up the great work Naomi; we are so proud of you!

We need more AmeriCorps Firewall Mentors like Taylor!

AmeriCorps Firewall Mentors serve from August 2017 – June 2018, every Monday through Thursday, from around 3:00-6:00 p.m.

Job duties include building lasting relationships, providing homework help/tutoring, and modeling positive behaviors to students.

AmeriCorps Firewall Mentors receive a bi-weekly living allowance and an education award to help pay for school tuition and/or loans. Plus, build up your resume by completing an AmeriCorps service year.

If you believe you or someone you know would make a great mentor, apply online at http://2zm.dbb.myftpupload.com/apply.

Our Program Director Receives the Ruby Award from Soroptimist International of Davie

Soroptimist International of Davie recently awarded our chief program director, Janeth Fernandez, the Soroptimist Ruby Award! The award honors women who are making an extraordinary difference in young women’s lives, and we believe that Janeth truly exemplifies what it stands for. Congratulations, Janeth- we are thankful for all that you do for Firewall and the girls we serve each day.

Thanks to our AmeriCorps Firewall mentors, excellent staff, and your support, our students are truly thriving. We are ready to finish the last quarter strong!

Sincerely,

Firewall Centers

Firewall Centers Receives $10,000 from Sun Sentinel Children’s Fund

DAVIE, Fla. (Feb. 13th, 2017) – Firewall Centers received a generous $10,000 grant from the Sun Sentinel Children’s Fund, a McCormick Foundation Fund. The grant will support Firewall Centers’ T.H.I.N.K. Leadership program at Lauderhill 6-12 STEM-MED Magnet School serving 50 low-income students.

The Sun Sentinel Children’s Fund distributed $337,000 to 25 nonprofit organizations in Broward and Palm Beach Counties this grant cycle.

This is not the first time Firewall and the Sun Sentinel Children’s Fund have partnered together. In 2015, Firewall was awarded funds to expand their reach in the Pompano Beach area.

“The Firewall program helps students see that with the right help and support system together with their own hard work, they can break the cycle of poverty and reach their greatest potential,” said Janeth Fernandez, Firewall Centers’ Chief Program Director, “and we are grateful for our continued partnership with The Sun-Sentinel Children’s Fund to make this happen for more kids at Lauderhill 6-12 School.”

Firewall’s daily, school-based mentoring and tutoring program is designed to help low-income students achieve academic success, build character, and transform into servant leaders. The program, called T.H.I.N.K. (Take Charge, Have a Plan, Involve the Right People, Never Quit, Keep Giving Back) Leadership, provides students with opportunities to excel academically as they are given targeted attention on critical subjects like reading and math not only during the school year, but for several weeks in the summer.

The program also utilizes its own curriculum based on its T.H.I.N.K. acronym, equipping students with life skills that build their ability to set goals, make informed decisions, and overcome obstacles. Firewall is not just a program – it is a family that begins walking through life with students when they first enter middle school and continues throughout their high school years and as they transition into college/career.

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-Firewall Centers-

About Firewall Centers
Firewall was established in 2003 in response to the death of a thirteen year old girl who overdosed on drugs while left unsupervised during after-school hours. Ever since, the agency has been operating daily after-school tutoring and mentoring centers for at-risk students that instill character values and promote academic success, supporting them as they strive toward their greatest potential. For the 2016/2017 school year, Firewall’s T.H.I.N.K. Leadership program has eight Centers and is serving 400 Broward county students. The program’s overarching objective is to improve performance outcomes among at-risk students as related to their school attendance, behavior, and course performance, thus helping them to ultimately achieve self-sufficiency as they pursue their life goals. You can learn more about Firewall Centers and how you can get involved at www.firewallcenters.org or follow them at www.facebook.com/firewallcenters

 

-Sun Sentinel Children’s Fund, a McCormick Foundation Fund-

About Sun Sentinel Children’s Fund, a McCormick Foundation Fund
Established in 1990, through the Sun Sentinel Children’s Fund, a McCormick Foundation Fund, local nonprofits with child & youth education programs, child abuse prevention & treatment programs, hunger and housing programs for at-risk children and their families are supported. Grants are made possible with the generosity of Sun Sentinel readers, the general public and corporate donations. All donations are matched at 50 cents on the dollar by the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, based in Chicago, Illinois. The Sun Sentinel and the McCormick Foundation pay all expenses, ensuring 100 percent of donations, plus the match, goes directly to local, nonprofit organizations making an impact. Since inception, more than $41 million has been distributed to improve the lives of at-risk children and families in Southern Florida. To learn more about the Sun Sentinel Children’s Fund visit http://sunsentinelchildrensfund.org/

 

-Robert R. McCormick Foundation-

About Robert R. McCormick Foundation Fund
Robert R. McCormick Foundation is committed to fostering communities of educated, informed and engaged citizens. Through philanthropic programs, Cantigny Park and museums, the Foundation helps develop citizen leaders and works to make life better in our communities. The Foundation was established as a charitable trust in 1955, upon the death of Colonel Robert R. McCormick, the longtime editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune. The McCormick Foundation is one of the nation’s largest foundations, with more than $1.5 billion in assets.

The McCormick Foundation’s Communities Program continues Col. McCormick’s legacy by partnering with media outlets, such as the Sun Sentinel, sports teams and philanthropic organizations across the country, to raise money and provide matching dollars which increase the impact of charitable giving. To learn more about the McCormick Foundation visit www.McCormickFoundation.org, Follow us on Twitter, and Like us on Facebook.