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There is a great need
for quality tutoring programs for youth in Miami-Dade
County. Due to economic necessity, there is a greater
prevalence of parents working outside the home than ever
before. Their work hours typically extend later in the
day than their child’s school hours. This has created a
multitude of problems for these families. Of paramount
concern to many is the supervision, or lack thereof, of
their children.
This is
particularly so for middle school children who are
seemingly too old for traditional care and too young to
be unsupervised during the after-school hours. Left
unattended, these children are at a higher risk for
drug, alcohol, and tobacco use, delinquent behavior,
victimization, and injury than their peers who are
supervised after school. Statistics show that most
juvenile crime is committed between the hours of 2:00 PM
and 8:00 PM, with the largest number of offenses
committed in the hours immediately following students’
release from school.
Children
between the ages of 10 years and 14 years are facing a
gap in services throughout the county. These children
need safe and engaging opportunities between the last
school bell and the end of their parents’ work-day.
In
response to this incredible need in the community, a
group of concerned members of St. Margaret’s Episcopal
Church formed a Youth Task Force in January 2002.
Specific concern was expressed regarding the welfare of
students attending Miami Lakes Middle School (MLMS), due
to daily observations of these youth waiting hours after
dismissal for their working parents to pick them up.
The
development of My Backyard, an after school program for
youth, ages 10-14 years, whom reside in the Miami Lakes
area, arose out of the Task Force’s concern for this
under-served group. Hundreds of volunteer hours have
been spent since January, 2002, in developing a program
that meets the needs of the youths, their families, the
school, and community. My Backyard opened in August for
the 2002-03 school year. It is located on the St.
Margaret’s Episcopal Church grounds in its own 6000 sq
ft building. My Backyard is non-profit and has been
incorporated separately. There is no religious agenda
for participating youth. The full-time Director, Mrs.
Mireya Medina has a Bachelor’s Degree in Science in Mass
Communications. There are currently 4 staff members.
For
2011-2012 MBY has expanded its program to allow Grades
2-8 because of the growing need for more credible After
School Programs. Having School aged children in one
comprehensive program that instills good school work
habits as well as social skills building allows the
older children to find a sense of purpose and teaches
them to be more responsible as mentors of the younger
students.
My
Backyard is a youth center focused on strength. Everyone
has a strength and our goal is to help every teen to
realize and develop their strengths.
My
Backyard provides support and enrichment through the
teaching of life skills such as:
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Leadership Development
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Self-Esteem
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Communication
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Community Involvement
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Career Awareness
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Cultural Awareness
We
are a nurturing and motivating environment that:
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Identifies Strengths
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Gives Encouragement
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Provides Praise
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Celebrates One's Individuality
We
offer Educational Support through providing homework
assistance, academic tutoring and FCAT training. We have
a computer lab with 12 stations to use for research and
school projects.
We
offer the following Recreational Activities:
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Music
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Dance
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Basketball
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Volleyball
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Art & Crafts
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Soccer
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Jump Rope
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My
Backyard
Staff
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| Ms. Iris Rouco, MS, Director |
Our
Mission:
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"To
provide quality tutoring to middle school
youth that focuses on individual strengths, while
enhancing their overall contribution to their
family, school, and community"
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