MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Amigos For Kids is a nonprofit group based on the premise that youngsters have their greatest shot at life when households are sturdy.
They began over thirty years in the past in Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood and supply after-school care and different providers for working households which might be geared toward stopping little one abuse earlier than it occurs.
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Karina Pavone is the president and CEO.
“We work in communities where there are high-risk factors for abuse where families struggle financially where there might be substance abuse problems or mental health problems. Those are the families we work with,” she mentioned.
“Working parents need a place to leave their kids a safe place a nurturing place to leave kids after school without the worry of them being home alone unsupervised and vulnerable. We provide children with enrichment, academic support, snacks, fun activities, physical activity, and literacy support,” she added.
One of the co-founders, Jorge Plasencia, noticed the necessity on the younger age of 17 and stepped into motion.
He was volunteering with a company known as Children’s Home Society and from this, Amigos Together For Kids (now Amigos For Kids) was born.
He remains to be lively on the board of administrators.
The group serves 120 youngsters now at two places.
For households who arrive on this nation not talking English, the employees helps with homework assignments.
In addition, they’ve parenting courses and host annual back-to-school provide occasions and vacation toy drives, delivering pleasure to underserved youngsters yearly.
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The Blue Backpack Project is without doubt one of the longest-running free college provide initiatives locally.
Their most up-to-date program, Amigos Care, is for folks, it took place in the course of the pandemic when there was an increase in monetary want.
Financial stressors are a recognized issue that may create an setting which will result in little one abuse and neglect.
“If we have families come to us that are struggling, we can assist in connecting them with the right resources,” Pavone mentioned.
She added that every one the providers ship on their core mission.
“Children can only thrive and be healthy and happy if the families or caregivers or their environment is healthy and happy.”
Amigos For Kids will get funding by the Children’s Trust and different donor sources.
They are at all times searching for volunteers and assist.
As a lot as they’re doing, Pavone is effectively conscious that the wants far exceed their efforts.
They hope to increase their providers and construct a everlasting location.
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