Palmetto Bay, FL – November 22, 2019 – On November 14th, 2019, the Broward Sheriff’s Office distributed money from the Law Enforcement Trust Funds (LETF) to local nonprofits. Be Strong International, a recipient of this award, plans to utilize the funds to grow its healthy relationship workshops in Broward County Public Schools, aiming to educate more than 200 kids in grades 6 through 12. In response to the presence of juvenile crimes in Broward county, Be Strong International set objectives that align with those of the Broward County Sheriff’s Office to cultivate the communities within Broward by addressing the various issues education can remedy. What contributes to the success of both organizations in addressing community-wide issues is the compassion they instill into their daily work. The compassion from which true words and actions arise as they did on November 14th, when the Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony gave these words: “we’re stronger together.”
“These non-profit community organizations have different missions,” Sheriff Gregory Tony began, “but the core of what they do remains the same – to provide vital services and improve the lives of people across Broward County.”
In this astute statement, the sheriff underwrites the core value of the LETF which is to repurpose money that comes from the seizure and forfeiture of contraband for the mitigation of juvenile crime, primarily drug trafficking and abuse. LETF recipients are commonly organization that provide programs, mentorship, and assistance to youth within Broward county. Be Strong International is one of these agents of change, and on November 14th, its CEO, Michelle Shirley, received a $9,975 award from the Broward Sheriff’s Office on behalf of the organization from Sheriff Gregory Tony.
Shirley, leading the organization since 2012, detailed the plans for the funds, exuberantly relating the impact she anticipates the organization will be able to have in Broward thanks to this award. She summarizes, “Be Strong International will offer healthy relationship workshops in Broward County Public Schools to 200 youth in grades 6th through 12th grade.” Further on, she adds, “four of our professionally trained Be Strong facilitators will use evidence-based curricula and strategies to teach healthy relationship skills and social-emotional learning: lessons will include effective communication skills, decision-making skills, healthy relationship skills, character development skills and much more.”
Be Strong International took a moment to recount the generosity demonstrated by the Broward Sheriff’s Office on Facebook. Shirley’s post exalts the honor and privilege of receiving the award, knowing well that the award is not only a gift but also a promise between Sheriff Gregory Tony, the other nonprofit recipients, and Be Strong International to better the communities they serve. Because as our community grows, it is imperative to remember that, as Sheriff Gregory Tony stated, “we’re stronger together.”
Be Strong International is a non-profit organization that focuses on educating young people through positive youth development practices. In its 25th year, the organization uses an evidence-based curriculum to teach adolescents about healthy relationships, financial literacy, and educational and career success. Be Strong International was nominated for best practices in addressing risky behaviors, and they deliver educational programming to students within Miami-Dade and Broward County Public Schools each year.
Author
Marc-Anthony Llosa is the Communications Specialist at Be Strong International.
