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A Message from the
Executive Director
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Dr. J.C. De La Torre, CEO/Executive Director |
From a
very early age, I realized that everyone needs a
helping hand from time to time. A hand that
would turn the key to the door of hopes,
opportunities and the future. Some of us are
fortunate to have had parents, relatives or
friends open that door for us. Others…need a
helping hand.
As the
Executive Director of Abriendo Puertas (Opening
Doors) it is my privilege to serve the needy
children and families of our community of
Miami-Dade County. It is an awesome
responsibility to keep on opening doors that
would allow them to enhance their quality of
life so that they, in turn can keep on opening
doors to others. |
As the CEO I manage and
oversee all of our programs and make sure that everything we
do adheres to the highest standards of excellence. As a
human being I congratulate the staff, the counselors, the
volunteers and our supporters that work so hard for our
clients; they are responsible for making Abriendo Puertas
such a great organization!
Thank you from the bottom of
my heart! Let’s keep on opening doors!
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A Message from the Operations/Office Manager
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Since I came
to Abriendo Puertas a year and a half ago, my
life has been filled with challenges,
responsibilities and many memories. It is
certainly a challenge to manage, on a daily
bases, the people and operations of the agency
to insure maximum results. My responsibilities
extend far beyond my job description. Although
we are truly a team at Abriendo Puertas, I feel
a personal responsibility every time I see a
child or a needy family in our center seeking
the help they need to improve the quality of
their life and I say to myself “If it’s going to
be, it’s up to me”. |
Mrs. Rosy
Alvarez,
Operations/Office Manager |
Undoubtedly the
memories are my strongest driving force and my biggest
rewarding experience. As an immigrant and a mother I know
what a center like Abriendo Puertas mean for the children
and families of our community. The children benefit from
being in a safe and secure environment where they get the
help they need to become “all they can be” as well as the
mental attitude necessary to become winners in life. Their
families are given the tools they need to get ahead and
improve the quality of their lives as they travel the road
towards their “American Dream”. How I wished my family and I
would have had that opportunity when we came to this
country.
Abriendo Puertas
is not my job. It is my humble privilege to be a part of an
organization that “builds bridges” between a difficult and
hopeless past and a bright and reachable future. I thank
every employee, volunteer and supporter that makes it
possible.
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A Message
from the Program Coordinator -
Child and Youth Development
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Program Coordinator-Child and Youth Development
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While we do provide many of the conventional
activities expected from an after school
program, and others that are slightly less
conventional, we offer our children so much
more.
The majority
of our participants come from low-income,
single-parent homes. This means they are at
risk for gang-related activities and higher
dropout rates, among other things. Abriendo
Puertas and its staff provide these children
with a safe haven from the harsh realities of
living in the communities we serve. |
The staff at Abriendo
Puertas goes above and beyond the call of duty everyday not
only to assist in the academic success and achievement of
our participants, but also play a role in raising their
self-esteem and build a strong character to face the real
world.
We strive to be
positive role models for our children in the hope that we
may play a small part in molding their lives in a positive
fashion. In the long run, attending an after school
program, which provides encouragement and support, may mean
the difference between a future college graduate and a high
school drop out.
Heading this program
isn’t merely a job; I view it as a fulfilling career choice,
that although it requires great dedication and hard work,
allows me the opportunity to make a positive contribution to
the life of each child at our program, as well as, society
as a whole.
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A Message from the Volunteers and
Civic Engagement Coordinator
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Since
arriving from my native Puerto Rico 15 years ago
I have dedicated my life to serve the community
of Little Havana. The passion for my work and
the tireless efforts shown are certainly a
source of joy and pride in what I have been able
to accomplish.
My
affiliation with Abriendo Puertas dates back to
1995 as a member of the founding Board of
Directors. Three years later, I joined the staff
of the organization as a Volunteers Coordinator.
Since then, I have coordinated the intake of new
families, the food stamps program and USDA food
distribution program. It has been a challenge
and a joy to see the organization developed thru
different stages, learn about cultural diversity
and getting to know the families we served all
this years. |
Mrs. Flor D.
Morales,
Coordinator of Family Support Services |
I feel honored to represent
Abriendo Puertas and to continue doing my part so we can
keep on growing as an agency and as a community.
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