Miami Bridge Youth & Family Services, which works to rescue youth from lives of victimization and crime, providing them with structure in a stable and nurturing environment, celebrated the holiday season by hosting its annual holiday luncheon this month. Guests enjoyed the holiday festivities, along with children and teens, at its Miami Central campus location.
Miami Bridge youth recited original poetry, performed choreographed dances, and one youth played Christmas carols on the piano for all to sing along. Costco, the membership-only warehouse clubs’ chain, and the U.S. Probation Office Outreach Program generously donated gifts, along with other community partners, for the kids and teens to unwrap on Christmas day.
“At this time of year, many of our Bridge kids experience a range of emotions. Their sole desire is to spend the holidays with family and to be loved. We are very grateful to those who have stepped in with holiday toy drives and gift cards. While these cannot replace the love they seek, it does brighten their day and can put a smile on their faces,” stated Dorcas Wilcox, CEO of Miami Bridge Youth & Family Services, Inc.
Among the attendees were former U.S. Representative Patrick Murphy and other Miami Bridge board members, as well as friends and family of the organization who were also thanked for their continued support.
Miami Bridge was established in 1985 and serves as Miami-Dade County’s only 24-hour emergency shelter for children and teens in crisis ages 10-17. For more than 30 years, the non-profit organization has worked to rescue youth in the community from lives of victimization and crime by providing refuge, protection and specialized care in a nurturing, stable environment. Annually, Miami Bridge shelters more than 600 children and teens, providing over 10,000 care days for those individuals, as well as counseling to more than 550 families with children ages 6-17. For additional information, please visit www.miamibridge.org.