[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 153 (Thursday, September 13, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H8174]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        RECOGNIZING MIAMI BRIDGE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Miami 
Bridge organization located in my congressional district.
  I would also like to highlight my friend and constituent, Judy 
Reinach, also known as the barefoot hostess, for her tireless efforts 
on behalf of this organization for decades.
  Founded by Catholic Charities in the 1970s, Miami Bridge has been 
helping young people in crisis who have run away, are truant, homeless, 
or are having issues and problems in their homes.
  From its humble beginnings in a city of Miami motorcycle repair shop 
underneath the Metrorail Bridge, this incredible organization has been 
a guiding light for our youth throughout Miami-Dade County who are in 
need of assistance and do not know where else to turn. In fact, its 
name, Miami Bridge, is homage to its humble location. Today, it has two 
campuses--one in Miami and the other one in Homestead--that serve our 
south Florida community.
  Using its efficient intake process, Miami Bridge successfully matches 
young people or family members with the services that best meet their 
needs. Victims of abuse, of neglect, or worse seek refuge in the 
comprehensive services provided by Miami Bridge in order to help turn 
their lives around.
  This organization's professional staff and its board of directors 
provide counseling, case management, a formal academic education 
program, mental health services, substance abuse prevention services, 
youth development activities, life skills education, recreation, and so 
much more.
  Miami Bridge also offers First Stop for Families, a crisis 
intervention service that helps head off conflicts and links families 
to resources to help them open lines of communication, teach effective 
parenting skills, reduce antisocial behaviors, and link families with 
any other available resources.
  As a former Florida certified teacher, I applaud its truancy 
diversion services because I know that education, staying in school, is 
the key to a successful life and future.
  Madam Speaker, the statistics demonstrating the success of this 
organization speak for themselves. Between 2015 and 2016, 890 families 
were served by Miami Bridge: 93 percent of youth served were placed 
back in their home or an appropriate placement after leaving the 
shelter; 85 percent of youth remained in school after completing their 
shelter stays.
  However, the development of this incredible organization has not 
occurred in a vacuum. The Key Biscayne Islander News has given Miami 
Bridge events substantial coverage, and the Rotary Club of Key Biscayne 
has helped raise funds for programs that help the neediest young men 
and women in our community.
  Many south Florida individuals and businesses have aided and 
supported the mission of Miami Bridge over the past decades.
  I congratulate its leadership: CEO Dorcas Wilcox, CFO Steve Hope, 
Chief Operations and Technology Officer David Sharfman, Chief 
Administrative and Compliance Officer Baldwin Davis, and Chief Program 
Officer Mary Behr, in addition to its board members--Marlene Quintana, 
Alfred Karram, Jr., Joseph Cantrell, Beatriz Martin, Judy Reinach, 
Darren Campbell, Todd Giardina, Jahan S. Islami, Johane Domersant, 
Julie Harris Nelson, Mayling Exposito, Michael Alvarez, Patrick Murphy, 
Peggy Fucci, and Province ``Boo'' Zamek--on their tremendous work.
  So Miami Bridge, here is to many more years of success and services 
on behalf of south Florida's troubled youth. Thank you for all the work 
that you do.

                          ____________________