After 26 and a half years of public service, Miami-Dade Fire Fighter, Janice Matos, has retired. Paramedic Matos holds a very special place for us at A Safe Haven for Newborns. On September 11, 2001, on the darkest day our country has seen, a little ray of sunshine was placed in her arms as she was on her shift at the Carol City Fire Station.
The Safe Haven for Newborns program was just beginning back in 2001 when a young mother walked in to the firehouse and surrendered her newborn to Matos by placing the baby in her arms. Being familiar with the program, she knew what she needed to do. She listened to the young mother and when she left, examined the baby, then took the child to the hospital for further exams and to its new life. “Thank you for your years of service and especially for being such a dear friend to Safe Haven and to me,” said Nick Silverio.
