Recently, we shared our vision with the BJ’s Charitable Foundation and are just beyond excited to say that they have jumped on board and generously gifted us with $5,000! This gift will allow us to purchase school supplies, snacks, and rewards for our students!

Without the support of individuals like you, foundations such as BJ’s, and many others that we will be highlighting in the coming months, Firewall Centers would not be possible for our students. We are grateful for your partnership!

Servant Leader: Jorden

“He is turning in work for the first time this year!”

At Firewall, we hear testimony after testimony of students like Jimmy who start our program and are struggling academically due to poverty, difficult family circumstances, language barriers, learning disabilities, a lack of confidence, or even something as simple as not having a safe and structured place where they can complete their work. Our mission is to create an environment where these students not only survive—but thrive. We accomplish this by not only providing them with the tutoring and mentoring they need to reach their greatest potential but also by instilling in students a no-excuses mentality that guides them in making right choices and shows them that hard work is rewarded. This approach, together with the daily accountability we provide by being in constant contact with the parent, teachers, social workers, and others, helps us change lives and sets us apart from other programs. Therefore, the success of Jimmy is not an isolated incident, but a daily testimony of how students are transformed by our loving yet systematic approach to mentoring middle and high school students.

Firewall is also incredibly unique in that it not only provides this support system for students for a period of a few months or even for an entire school year, but we literally walk through life with students year after year until they graduate from high school and head towards college or career. Recently, we came across a 2010 study conducted by Public/Private Ventures through Harvard University. They studied over 400 after-school programs that focused on serving middle and high school students and determined that the number one trait that showed a program to be successful was their retention rate. In other words, if a program retains 50% of its students for a twelve month period or longer, it is considered successful. Remarkably, Firewall’s retention rate for this school year is 85%!

This retention rate speaks volumes about Firewall, as it is fulfilling its mission so effectively that teenagers who vote with their feet are voting with their daily presence. Our daily attendance this year has been an incredible 85.4%. When you link these numbers together, what you get is a recipe for life transformation as students come day after day and stay year after year. The key to our success as an organization is pouring into the lives of our students in a way that most organizations can not or will not because of the substantial commitment of time and dedication that is required to do the job with excellence.

Servant Leader: Abner
Abner is a junior at Western High School. He is a hard-working, smart, and dedicated student and person. Abner helped out with the building project over the summer and did everything from digging ditches to painting. After he got to know us, he decided to give the program a try and has been coming ever since. We are very blessed to have him and to call him our Servant Leader of the Quarter. His words:

“Firewall has helped me achieve high standards and accomplish what I could only dream of. Firewall continues to push me in my path to success, providing me with resources to complete what I have to do. I was able to achieve a 4.0 GPA my first semester this year. I am excited to see what I am going to get the second semester. I am thankful and extremely happy for what Firewall has done for me.”

Servant Leader: Aaron
Aaron is in the eighth grade. He is a great role model for the younger students. He not only gets good grades, but he plays for his youth group’s band. We love having Aaron in the program and are excited to see what the future holds for him! Aaron says:

“Wow… I can’t even explain how much Firewall has helped me. Last year, my grades were slipping and so was I. I got to enroll in this program, and I must say how lucky I am! The mentors and staff are helpful, kind, and very educated. Being in Firewall has helped me to change my outlook on life, making me a more positive person. I really do believe that God has blessed me with amazing friends. Actually He has blessed me with a family, because that is what Firewall is all about.”

Servant Leader: Manuel
Manny is an eighth grader and attends our Pompano center every day. He is well-behaved, has a good attitude about everything, and has been able to achieve all A’s and B’s since the school year began. Even though there can be distractions, Manny always tries to stay focused. He is Servant Leader of the Quarter. Manny’s words:

“Firewall has helped me with my homework and with my schedule. This has helped me become a better student and improve my grades tenfold! Firewall has taught me about four core values: Faith, Integrity, Relationship, and Excellence. These values have helped me change and become a better person overall.”

We are blessed! Our high school students have been counting down the days until they have their own place, and the time is finally here! We are putting the finishing touches on this brand new center and it will be ready for our use by next week.

We just want to take this opportunity to once again thank the MANY people who have helped make this project possible for us. This group of people includes our own students, who have come out and worked hard whenever we have needed them. These students have done everything from digging ditches and painting to helping build a handicap ramp. They have also cleaned, organized, and moved furniture around. You name it, they have done it. Firewall’s mission is to transform students into servant leaders and during this time, we have been able to witness the character of our students as they display what being a true servant leader is all about.

Now we would like to introduce two of these servant leaders as they share their stories:

Servant Leader: Annalyse
Many of you know Annalyse and her older brother Angelo. Annalyse is a tenth grader this year and has been in the Firewall program since the 6th grade. She is one of the kindest and friendliest students you will come across at our West Davie center. Her hard work in both school and around the center made it easy for us to choose Annalyse as one of our servant leaders this quarter. Her words:

“Firewall has changed me to become a better student because my grades have     improved. I worked really hard in all of my classes and with the help I receive at   Firewall every day, I am ending the quarter with only one C and the rest of my grades are A’s and B’s. After I finish my homework, I always help around the building and even help other students with their homework. I am usually the last one to leave!”

Servant Leader: Emily
Emily is in the seventh grade. She is an excellent student and overall, a wonderful girl both inside and out. She is the definition of a servant leader. She has achieved straight A’s since she began her sixth grade year and is truly a pleasure to have in our program. Emily says:

“Firewall has helped me change to become a better student and a better person. The mentors always make sure I am on task while doing my homework. If I don’t have any homework or I already finished it, I study for a test or quiz then I help others with their homework. Firewall has made me a better person because I have learned that I need to choose to do good things. You can’t just expect someone or something to make you into a better person. You have to be willing and choose to be good without expecting an award in return. Firewall has helped me stay on the right track and not be a troublemaker and also, to do my best in everything. ‘I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.’ –Philippians 4:13″

As we take some time to reflect…

We are truly amazed at all of the positive things that have happened at Firewall this year – from a new look and a new website to an ever-growing number of friends like you that allow us to bring joy, peace, and practical help to students and their families not only during this holiday season, but on a daily basis.

With this in mind, we would like to share the stories of three more students that we are impacting through our program. We pray that you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Servant Leader: Crystal

Sixth grader Crystal has been chosen as West Davie’s Servant Leader of the Quarter. She attends Indian Ridge Middle School. Her sister, Victoria, is a third year Firewall student. Crystal is very smart and always helps out around the center when she finishes her homework. Here is what she has to say:

“I am a better student because of Firewall because I have a mentor who checks my grades and tells me what they are. She helps me with my homework and teaches me new skills. Firewall has also helped me to become a better person by showing me how to put my trust in God. When I am done with my homework, I go around and help the other kids. Firewall is also a very fun place to go to and hang out with my friends.”

Servant Leader: Santiago

Santiago is a seventh grader at Indian Ridge and a second year Firewall student. He has come a long way since last year and we are very proud of him and his accomplishments, not only with his grades, but with his behavior and attitude. His words:

“Firewall is a very special place. It is like my third family. When I come to Firewall, I feel like someone cares about me and how I do in school. They help me succeed  because they have taught me values like FIRE, which stands for faith, integrity, relationship, and excellence. Firewall is a cool place that can help you succeed if you’re willing to.”

Servant Leader: Pedro

Servant Leader of the Quarter at our Pompano center, Pedro, is a 6th grader at  Pompano Beach Middle School. Pedro is funny, kind, and very helpful. This quarter, he was able to achieve straight A’s on his report card! Pedro’s words:

“Firewall has helped me to become a better student by helping me with my homework and helping me to get straight A’s. Firewall has showed me how to become a better person by teaching me manners and how to be nice to other people.”

A large group of students, staff, and Firewall friends gathered at the Signature Grand on Thursday, November 10 for our annual Student-to-Leader Luncheon Celebration. The program featured powerful testimonies from students and Principal Frank Zagari of Indian Ridge Middle School. Here are some highlights:

Saraleen, one of our high school seniors, talked about how she came to the program last year on the brink of failing two classes. Through the help of Firewall’s staff and her own dedication, she was able to not only pass the classes, but to raise all of her grades and change her overall outlook on school. Her dream is to become a nurse and after the event, she received some life-changing news. Present at our luncheon was a Pediatric nurse from Memorial Hospital who offered to sponsor Saraleen as a scholarship applicant for Broward College’s nursing program!

Another highlight of the afternoon was hearing from Angelo, who shared his story in our video presentation. Angelo has been with Firewall for seven years! He began the program in the 6th grade and is graduating from Western High School this year. Angelo proudly stated to the crowd how he will be graduating in May with a full four-year college scholarship in large part because of Firewall’s assistance and support throughout his middle and high school years.

Principal Zagari conveyed to the crowd that in his many years as a school administrator, he has never before partnered with a program that is nearly as effective in transforming the lives of at-risk students as is Firewall. He highlighted how our daily communication with the school, parents and teachers serves to promote the academic success of each student. He also emphasized the great need to have a Firewall Center in every neighborhood in Broward County.

Servant Leader Stories

Firewall Centers is now impacting 20 students in Pompano Beach. Our Center Director there, Finley Walker (pictured on left), has some thoughts he would like to share:

“A mom recently came up to me and said, “I just don’t know what we would do without Firewall!” After visiting Pompano Beach Middle School, my thoughts were along the same lines–”How are any of these kids supposed to make it without the guidance of places like Firewall?”

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!

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!

When I came that first night I was depressed about where my life was taking me. It is funny how the same thing that brought me to firewall is the same thing that brings other young people to do drugs and other bad things… boredom and a sense of nothing to lose. I attended and I thought it was too good to be true it felt like these people actually cared. I became involved in everything they did from church, to special events, to the after-school program.

They put the time into me, they cared for me, I remember the many days that Mrs. Janeth or Mr. Andy would drop me off at my house after all the other kids, so that we could just sit and talk about everything that was bothering me.

I would unload all my problems and all my frustrations with life and especially those that involved my family. They would talk me through those problems and many times they would pray with me. Those moments more than anything else changed my life and my choices.

I began to believe in myself more and that is the thing about Firewall, they don’t make the choices for you, they don’t take the tests or do the homework, but they give you all the tools you need to guide you to make the right choices. They show you the right way through their lives not just through their words.

Now thinking back I guess that is what mentoring is all about. They helped me build my own personal faith in God. They helped me believe in myself academically so that I got the Bright Futures Scholarship and I am now at UCF on my way to being a Structural Engineer. But more than anything Firewall taught me the values I need to be the best Michael Rodriguez I can possibly be.

Right now I am 19 years old and a very busy, starving student, but in the future I intend to give back to everyone I can of my time, money, and wisdom. Firewall has taught me that giving of one’s self with God’s help, changes people. I look around the world and I see people with no direction and if I can contribute to their finding their purpose then I am truly a servant leader.