September 2011 Newsletter
Firewall Kicks Off Success Plans!
Keijon is among the thirty students in our new T.H.I.N.K. Leadership high school program. The goal of this program is to provide youth from low-income families with opportunities and a support structure that sets them up for success and allows them to reach their full potential. Each student in the program is given an individualized Success Plan which monitors, advises, and assists them in accomplishing their academic and vocational goals.
Beginning in their ninth grade year, the Success Plan provides a checklist that includes all required classes, any standardized tests that should be taken, and interest assessments that can guide future career and vocational paths. As a part of the Success Plan, Firewall staff assists juniors and seniors in applying for college and financial aid and also helps them in filling out scholarship applications.
As we all know, the schools are understaffed and faced with vast numbers of students. For example, at Western High School where all of our students attend, there are nearly 3,000 students and only one college and career advisor. By partnering with the schools, parents, and students themselves, T.H.I.N.K. Leadership ensures that its participants receive all of the guidance, resources, and opportunities they need to accomplish their defined goals.
Firewall Experience Tours
Firewall Experience tours are back in session at our West Davie center, which is located at:
Orange Park Community Center
841 SW 133rd Avenue
Davie, FL 33325
These tours really give you a hands-on opportunity to see, hear, and feel what we do on a daily basis to impact the lives of young people. Our tours are 30-minute programs and no one will be asking you for any financial contribution. However, we will gladly welcome your advice and feedback. Guests are welcome.
Contact us if you are interested in attending. Also, please be sure to check out our new website if you haven’t already!
Thank you for supporting us as we continue to impact the lives of students in our community!
August 2011 Newsletter
Eighth grader Michelle is a third year Firewall student who is excited about beginning a brand new school year! She showed servant leadership today as she watched over 12 of our new middle school students that rode the bus to our center for the first time. We are very proud of her and are looking forward to impacting the lives of more students than ever as 45 middle and 30 high school students are registered and attending at our West Davie Center.
This year, we are also announcing the opening of a brand new Firewall Center in Pompano Beach! This has been an area that we have been looking to help for many years. Now, with the help of Christ Church who is partnering with us to allow our program to be housed in their Sykes Hall, we are able to see the yard of Pompano Beach Middle School from the building.
We met with Officer Mike Johnson from the Broward Sherriff’s office and he was impressed by our program and the potential it had for impacting this Pompano neighborhood. He then connected us to Principal Sonja Braziel and she encouraged us to move forward knowing that she would support the program in every way that she could. We have hired Finley Walker, a Liberty University graduate to be our Center Director and the program will be kicking off on September 8th.
On August 19, we attended Pompano Beach Middle School’s Open House. Over 25 parents and their students lined up at our table to learn about what we do and to find out how they can register for our program. We expect at least 30 students to attend our own Orientation and join!
There are still some things to get done in Davie!
We have stopped enrollment at 75 students and have begun a waiting list until we can get our modular building up and running! We are still searching for 600 ft. of 6 ft. high chain-link fencing and need your prayers that FPL and the City of Sunrise will expedite the connecting of electricity and water to our building!
Remember, we still need volunteers to help us get the job done! Please call or email us and we will provide you with further details on how you can get involved.
Thank you for supporting us as we impact the lives of students in our community!