| Program
provides oasis for children of low-income families
May 25, 2006
By Nancy E. Johnson*
FLORIDA CITY, Fla. (UMNS) — Children bolt off the yellow bus after school and
run to a small, white structure that stands alone in an open field.
The outside of the building is covered with artwork of trees, symbolic of the
work that the Branches ministry does in this poor South Florida community.
“We offer consistent love, no matter where the kids are from, no matter
what’s going on in their lives,” says Kim Torres, Branches coordinator. “There
are always people here who will love them and care for them..”
Branches is a United Methodist-sponsored program run by South Florida Urban
Ministries. Based in Florida City, south of Miami, it offers after-school
tutoring and mentoring to the children of Mexican farm workers and Haitian
hospitality employees.
Children in kindergarten through 12th grade find an oasis and acceptance at
Branches. Martine Daceus remembers vividly the isolation she felt when she and
her mother came to the United States on a boat from Haiti. Her mother works long
hours as a hotel maid in the Florida Keys. Daceus found her second home at
Branches.
“It gave me a sense of belonging somewhere, a family and a lot of morals,”
Daceus says.
Now in college, Daceus remains involved in Branches by helping children with
their spelling and reading homework.
“When I see the little kids, I see myself coming in. Most of the kids are
from other countries and have only been living in the United States about a
year, two years,” she says.
Giving back
Ismael Ferniza, also in college, has a similar story of struggle and triumph.
His mother is a Mexican field worker who supports the family on her own. His
father was killed in a drug-related shooting. Like Daceus, Ferniza is giving
back to the program that gave him so much.
“It makes me feel real good because now the kids can come to me,” Ferniza
says. “Others might ask them to sell drugs, but instead they can come to me.”
Branches offered Ferniza academic support and a safe place to fall. He’s glad
to see other children benefiting from the outreach program.
“It brings them a lot of comfort because we’re friendly here. They might go
home and their parents argue all the time,” he says.
Torres believes it’s important for children who have gone through Branches to
return and help other kids. “Unfortunately, when people are pegged as poor,
people always want to give to them, but they never learn how to serve or give
back.”
Many of the students come to Branches not speaking English, but they learn
the language — and much more — through the patience and persistence of tutors.
Ninety-six percent of those who stay in the program two or more years raise
their grade levels by at least one letter grade. All of those who have graduated
from high school are either attending college or vocational school.
“I was lucky enough to have people give me the attention so I could excel in
school,” Daceus says. “I see myself as them. All they need is a little attention
and they’ll excel too.”
*Johnson is a Florida-based, freelance television and print journalist.
News media contact: Fran Coode Walsh, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5458 or
newsdesk@umcom.org.
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Resources
The Florida Conference
Missionary Profile: Kim King Torres
Immigration Theme Page
Hispanic/Latino Ministries
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