Good News - October 2021

Greater Miami Youth For Christ, a 73-year-old Miami- Dade County organization with a distinct history of youth out- reach, was recently awarded a $41,000 grant for its work with indigenous leaders by the prestigious Ocean Reef Com- munity Foundation located in Key Largo, Florida. In awarding the grant, Ocean Reef Foundation execu- tive director Yurianna Mikolay said, “We are pleased to be able to designate these funds to such a deserving and talented group of individuals like the young leadership we see at the Home- steadCity-Life KIX program. We have seen, in the past, just how important KIX and Greater Miami Youth for Christ have be- come in the Homestead area, particularly over the past 29 years, and it is our pleasure to continue supporting this out- standing program.” City-Life KIX serves more than 300 children and youth in three locations of Miami-Dade County: West Homestead/ Florida City; Goulds; and North Miami Golden Glades. All City Life KIX clubs offer character and spiritual development, homework assistance, sports and arts programs, and life skills development. KIX was founded in 1992 by former el- ementary school teacher Stacy Morales, who started and developed the program by being a champion advocate for at-risk kids in Homestead. City-Life KIX is just one of five programs operating under the Greater Miami Youth for Christ umbrella. It is located at 1088 W. Mowry Drive in Home- stead. The others are: Cam- pus Life, Catalyst Hip Hop, Juvenile Justice Outreach, MYLI (Miami Youth Leadership Initiative), and a Mentoring Program. “Our youth are one of the greatest assets of our commu- nity, and they have gifts to offer, desire for growth and potential for development. With relational mentorship, students can be equipped as leaders to con- tribute to their community in the long-term”, said Mrs. Morales. Bonnie Rodriguez, execu- tive director of Greater Miami Youth for Christ, speaking of the indigenous leaders grant, said, “Since they already speak the language – in the case of Homestead, Creole and Spanish – we believe that indigenous leaders are the most important people to en- courage and equip. It is our purpose to seek to identify and nurture young leaders who have an obvious calling from God on their lives to minister in their own urban community. We are thrilled with Ocean Reef’s response to our request in providing this grant. Ocean Reef has been an exemplary partner of YFC for many years, and we are extremely grateful for their generous support.” Greater Miami Youth for Christ exists to help young people develop a relationship with Jesus and reach their God-given potential. Over 7,000 youth participate in pro- grams at 22 locations throughout Miami-Dade. The national organization, Youth for Christ, was founded in Chicago in 1945, just after WWII, and was instrumental in helping returning soldiers es- tablish and re-establish their lives. Evangelical leader Rev. Dr. Billy Graham was the first full-time employee of YFC in the 40’s, and he came to Miami then to lead one of many youth rallies held throughout the nation. Their website is www.miamiyfc.com . 49 OCTOBER 2021 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition OUT AND ABOUT Greater Miami Youth for Christ Awarded $41,000 for Leadership Program 8 WEEK SERIES | LAUNCHING OCTOBER 14 REGISTER AT CRPC.ORG/CITIZENSHIP CORAL RIDGE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 5555 N FEDERAL HIGHWAY, FORT LAUDERDA LE, FL 33308 $20 INDIVIDUAL | $30 COUPLE FOOD WILL BE AVAILABLE Bonnie Rodriguez