Building Connections, Building Character
June 2021 Newsletter
GA celebrates Haitian Flag Day
On May 18, our Building Leaders of Character (BLOC) program hosted a Haitian Flag Day event for youth to learn about Haitian history and culture. The day stands in remembrance of the creation of the national flag in 1803, and the importance of the nation’s educational system and struggle for independence.

Two events took place for middle and high schooler students, with the youth participating in quizzes and a pride wear competition. The talent showcase included dances and poetry readings done by youth. They also played foutbol (soccer), the country's national sport, and enjoyed Haitian food.

The main takeaway from the event was the motto “Unity Makes Strength.” The phrase is written in the coat of arms on the Haitian flag representing the accomplishments of Haitian leaders and beckoning a call to action for future leaders.
FREE Robotics and Life Skills Camp
It is estimated that 80% of jobs available in the next decade will require math and science skills. Introducing students to the world of building robotics and coding is a great way to prepare youth for the 21st-century workplace at a pivotal point in their development.

This summer, GA’s new STEM-based educational program, Robotics and Life Skills Camp, will do just that. Offered in Redlands/Homestead, North Miami and Central Broward, the 7-week program will include robotics, leadership, life skills (including substance use and violence prevention), career planning, physical activity (including sports and yoga), and field trips.

Curriculum:
Robotics – Students will use a coding platform to learn Block Coding Computer Science and Engineering Design Process to design and build competition-ready VEX robots.

Leadership – Service-learning project that will students develop critical leadership skills with fun, group activities. They will help them build confidence, trust, communication, critical thinking, and decision-making skills.

Life Skills – Students will benefit from an evidence-based substance abuse program that has been extensively tested and proven effective at reducing alcohol and drug use and promoting mental health and positive youth development.

Career Planning – Introducing students to the world of building robotics and coding as a realistic and high-paying career pathway will be a part of the curriculum. They will also learn about the various careers associated with the information technology world.

Positive Action Violence Prevention – GA will be using a violence prevention program that addresses violence-related behavior, bullying and disruptive behavior. Social-emotional learning and positive youth development will also be covered, which improve youth academics, behavior and character.

The program runs from June 14th -July 30th, 8 am- 3:30 pm,
Monday-Friday with free breakfast and lunch provided.
Success Story: UPLIFT Service Partnership 
Ms. Micheline, one of our UPLIFT Care Coordinators, has been working with a grandmother for over a year on GA services with a focus on gaining full custody of her grandson. That is a complicated process, made even more difficult without all the necessary documentation at hand. The child did not have a birth certificate and was not attending school. Ms. Micheline helped complete the application for legal custody and assisted in getting the paperwork filed in family court.

This month, the court granted custody of the child to the grandmother. Ms. Micheline also assisted with obtaining an official birth certificate and the child is now able to be enrolled in school. The child will attend school at Notre Dame Catholic School and summer camp here at GA in June. Scenarios like this are a normal part of the community support GA is able to provide year-round. Kudos to Ms. Micheline for continuing to build character that lasts through her servant leadership
Program Spotlight: OPP & COS-CVAC  
In 2019 alone 51% of overdoses were in youth under the age of 19. In 2020, calls to Poison Control, trips to the Emergency Department for overdoses and drug-related injuries, child abuse, and violent domestic assaults have doubled. DCF involvement and arrests make it clear that big problems start in the home. 

As children return to school and slowly but surely our neighbors leave their homes to face the new normal, the stressors from the Pandemic have left some telltale signs that we are doing something about.

We have launched two new programs to add to our array of services that are aimed at children of all ages and their families:

·                 Opioid Prevention Project (OPP)
·                 Circle of Strength – Child Victims of the Addiction Crisis (COS-CVAC)

OPP operates in Homestead and is a holistic program focused on reducing risk in youth to prevent opioid misuse, and delaying the onset of any alcohol or drug use within high-risk communities.

COS-CVAC is a comprehensive program that provides prevention, intervention, and treatment services to children and youth who are victims of the local addiction crisis.
Through evidence-based education in schools, intervention, and treatment we can substantially impact our youth before things get out of control, and through our Parents Circle, we can create a safe space for families to better help their children and just maybe get help for their own alcohol and drug issues.

We also provide in-home therapy for those families that want it to help parents receive the help they need and give the children tools to overcome and thrive in their environment. 

Through these programs will we teach children practical skills and give them the support not to start or continue down a dangerous path.
We can treat families so that everyone has a chance to reach their God-given potential.

If you know a family who would like to hear from us, please call us at 786.391.2375 or email sdavis@myga.org.
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