The Ones Who Make a Brighter Day

C4C Rider Tom Whittaker shares a story with Ciara during lunch.

Melting Hearts in Miami

I’ve heard some people describe Miami as ”being in another country.”  Rich in culture and Carribean heritage.  Classic deco architecture.  Gorgeous beaches and weather.  It’s undoubtably exotic. 

But not all is cosmopolitan.

As we cycled west from Miami Beach and crossed the Venetian Causeway, Miami begins to resemble most American urban centers.  Our destination was the Centro Hispanio Catilico Child Care Center located in a neighborhood mixed of chic art studios, pawn shops and police impounds.

The Centro provides pre-school/child care for some 250+ neighborhood children.  The waiting list is long.  And it’s not because people are seeking low-cost child care and schooling.  This place simply does it right.

It was a mercilessly hot and humid morning.  Traffic was tight and the ride was downright treacherous.  Our nerves were frayed and we were exhausted.  But nothing could have lifted our spirits more than the two dozen bright-eyed children who brought us water and then proceeded to dance and serenade us with ”We Are The World.”

A program of Catholic Charities for the Archdiocese of Miami, Centro Hispanio is giving young children who would otherwise be on the margins of society a chance to make it.  Believe me, having been feted by such talented youngsters and sharing lunch with them, these kids are flourishing. 

….And will continue to do so.

According to Deacon Richard Turcotte, CEO for Catholic Charities of Miami, the high school graduation rate of their students is 92%.  Considering the national graduation rate is 75%, the folks at Centro Hispanio are doing one helluva job in the foundational aspect of each child’s development.

Here’s why it’s so amazing:  Every child at Centro Hispanio lives substantially below the federal poverty guidelines.  According to Turcotte, most families’ income is around $17,000 – $19,000 a year.  Federal guidelines state that a family of four earning $22,030 is at the poverty level.  Most social service agencies and government sponsored programs allow for their consumer to be at 150-200% of the poverty level.

Centro Hispanio is taking the poorest of the poor…and they’re succeeding.

How are they able to to do that? Primarily, parents are highly involved.  Secondly, it’s about people who care.  The staff exudes both care and professionalism.  And the kids respond to it.  Lunching with some highly energetic 4-6 year olds could lead to chaos.  Not here.  While the children laughed and celebrated, they also knew when to listen how to follow instruction.

C4C Rider Sara Terhune lunches with some of the students.

So many of our inner-city schools are languishing for a multitude of reasons.  It’s mostly due to inadequate funding and facilities.  Part of it is also the “soft-bigotry” as described by former President George W. Bush, where it became acceptable to just write off the poorer neighborhood schools and the students of color.

The fact is, every child in this nation should have access to a quality education and should not suffer from mediocre schools because he or she is black, brown, poor or otherwise.  This sin of ommission needs to stop.

I applaud the efforts of Catholic Charities of Miami, Centro Hispanio, and ALL of those who have not given up on our inner-city children and their families.  If we are to ever break the cycle of multi-generational poverty, we should look at the example here in Miami.

"There's a choice we're making. We're saving our own lives. It's true we'll make a brighter day, just you and me...."

From the road,

Jason C.

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