Good News Florida

GoodNewsFL.org 13 NOVEMBER 2017 OUT AND ABOUT After Firewall Centers’ first year as an AmeriCorps pro- gram, they were presented with Volunteer Florida’s Rising Star Award at their 2016-2017 Awards Ceremony in Tallahas- see. This award recognizes an AmeriCorps program that, within its first year of funding, demonstrates excellent mem- ber recruitment and retention, provides exemplary member management systems and ex- ceeds performance measures. AmeriCorps Firewall pro- vided tutoring and mentoring to 484 economically disadvan- taged middle and high school students during the 2016-2017 school year. Over 80 percent of the students enrolled in the program improved their literacy skills. The program also ex- ceeded its volunteer goals for both volunteers recruited and volunteer hours served. Firewall Centers is an AmeriCorps-funded program and Firewall Mentors are AmeriCorps members that as- sist the students with home- work and model positive behaviors. You can learn more about this partnership online at FirewallCenters.org/Ameri- Corps. AmeriCorps Honors Firewall Centers with Rising Star Award Multiple disasters are esca- lating Food For The Poor’s re- sponse to people in the Caribbean, who are suffering heartbreaking devastation from back-to-back hurricanes, and in Mexico following a 7.1-magni- tude earthquake. Four 40-foot containers of lifesaving aid were loaded for Dominica September 22 at the charity’s Coconut Creek head- quarters and more have fol- lowed. Critical items being sent include canned food, water, stoves, tarps, chainsaws, gen- erators, lanterns, batteries, blan- kets, clothing, hygiene kits, cleaning supplies, paper prod- ucts and buckets. Additional relief goods have been shipped directly to Mexico, where Food For The Poor is working with The Order of Malta, to provide medical items; An- tigua, which is housing 1,500 refugees from Barbuda; and St. Lucia, where Caritas Antilles Chancery Offices, is overseeing the distribution of supplies to St. Maarten and the British Virgin Islands, including St. Kitts. Aid also is being sent directly to the U.S. Virgin Islands. Operation Compassion, a Tennessee-based ministry, also is assisting in this endeavor. To support relief efforts, visit www.foodforthepoor.org. Damage caused by Hurricane Maria in Roseau, Dominica. Photo: Getty Images Mentor Aaron , Program Manager Lisa , Firewall student, Volunteer Florida CEO Vivian Myrtetus , Firewall Centers Executive Director Andy Fernandez (left to right) Firewall Program Manager, Lisa Ramos , and Volunteer Florida's CEO, Vivian Myrtetus (left to right) Aid Sent in Response to Hurricanes in Caribbean, Earthquake in Mexico