LSF MIAMI BRIDGE YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES NAMES NEWPROGRAM DIRECTOR
LSF Miami Bridge Youth & Family Services is pleased toannounce the appointment of Dr. Toshiba L. Mitchell as Program Director. Adistinguished educator, leader and advocate for youth and families, Dr.Mitchell brings exceptional experience to her role, including a career in theU.S. Army, Active Duty Air Force and Air Force Reserve. She will be responsiblefor outreach efforts and will oversee the daily operations of theorganization’s two campuses.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Mitchell as the new ProgramDirector of Miami Bridge,” said Raymond Ballinger, Southeast Regional Director,LSF. “It’s a calling and honor to serve children and families facing hardship.Our work is difficult. Our hours are long and we are kept away from our ownfamilies, but the people that do this work are dedicated and our best resource.Dr. Mitchell’s unwavering dedication to child advocacy and extensive backgroundin education will be crucial in the furtherance of LSF’s mission of buildingstrong, vibrant communities.”
LSF Miami Bridge has two 24-hour emergency sheltersfor children and youth experiencing traumatic stressors in their life. The goalis to help young people remain out of the juvenile justice system through ourprevention and intervention activities with individual, family and groupcounseling. Sometimes parents are pushed to the limit and need our ShareetCares Program, a 12-week program working with parents on better skills todeal with challenging and risky behaviors. The Runaway & Homeless YouthProgram focuses on keeping kids off the streets and in safe nurturingenvironments.
Dr. Mitchell was most recently Director, PreventionEducation and Outreach at Kristi House Child Advocacy Center where shespearheaded initiatives that equipped communities with knowledge and resourcesto combat child exploitation and trauma. Her leadership extended from themanagement of a multidisciplinary team to fostering partnerships with schools,law enforcement and community organizations.
She also has more than 15 years of experience in highereducation, including as Director of Distance Learning at Florida MemorialUniversity where she had responsibility for program development and financialstewardship.
“I am honored to join LSF and lead the incredible workhappening at Miami Bridge. Together, we will continue to create safe spaces andtransformative programs that will uplift our community,” said Dr. Mitchell.
Dr. Mitchell serves as a fellow for the University ofMiami’s Emerging Transformational Leadership Program. She received her Doctorof Education in educational leadership, Master of Science in Education andBachelor of Science in organizational leadership from St. Thomas University.She served as a member of the U.S. Army, Active Duty Air Force and Air ForceReserve.
January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month andas the Program Director of LSF Miami Bridge, Miami’s only 24-hour shelterfor youth 10-17, I am deeply committed to the safety and well-being of thechildren in our community. Human trafficking is a pervasive issue that oftengoes unnoticed, yet it affects countless individuals, including vulnerablehomeless youth.
Here are some key signs of human trafficking:
· Victimsmay look malnourished, dehydrated, or show signs of physical abuse (bruises,scars).
· Theymight wear inappropriate clothing for the weather or environment.
· Fearful,submissive, or anxious behavior, especially around certain individuals.
· Avoidingeye contact, hesitating to speak, or appearing disoriented.
· Livingat their workplace, under constant surveillance, or working excessively withoutproper pay.
· Littleto no control over their living or working environment.
· Confiscationof identification and personal items.
· Deferringto another person or being unsure about basic facts like their location or thedate.
What to Do If You Suspect Human Trafficking:
· Inthe U.S., the National Human Trafficking Hotline (1-888-373-7888) operates24/7.
· InFlorida, the FDLE operates a statewide Human Trafficking Hotline(1-855-352-7233).
· Avoidsituations that could put you at risk.
· Reportingthrough proper channels ensures help reaches victims without escalating danger.
Important Note:
Becoming a victim of human trafficking can happen to anyoneand often occurs in plain sight. Let’s fight it as a community by armingourselves with the information to identify it.
Dr. Toshiba L. Mitchell is Program Director of LSFMiami Bridge Youth & Family Services and is distinguishededucator, leader and advocate for youth and families.
Miami — January 14,2025— LSF Miami Bridge Youth &Family Services is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Toshiba L.Mitchell as Program Director. A distinguished educator, leader and advocate foryouth and families, Dr. Mitchell brings exceptional experience to her role,including a career in the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force Reserve. She will beresponsible for outreach efforts and will oversee the daily operations of theorganization’s two campus.
“We arethrilled to welcome Dr. Mitchell as the new Program Director of Miami Bridge,”said Raymond Ballinger, Southeast Regional Director, LSF. “It’s a calling andhonor to serve children and families facing hardship. Our work is difficult.Our hours are long and we are kept away from our own families, but the peoplethat do this work are dedicated and our best resource. Dr. Mitchell’s unwaveringdedication to child advocacy and extensive background in education will becrucial in the furtherance of LSF’s mission of building strong, vibrantcommunities.”
LSF MiamiBridge has two 24-hour emergency shelters for children and youthexperiencing traumatic stressors in their life. The goal is to help young peopleremain out of the juvenile justice system through our prevention andintervention activities with individual, family and group counseling. Sometimesparents are pushed to the limit and need our Nurturing Parent Program. A12-week program working with parents on better skills to deal with challengingand risky behaviors. Runaway &Homeless Youth Program focuses on keeping kids off the streets and in safenurturing environments.
Dr. Mitchell was mostrecently Director, Prevention Education and Outreach at Kristi House ChildAdvocacy Center where she spearheaded initiatives that equipped communitieswith knowledge and resources to combat child exploitation and trauma. Herleadership extended from the management of a multidisciplinary team tofostering partnerships with schools, law enforcement and communityorganizations.
She also has more than15 years of experience in higher education, including as Director of DistanceLearning at Florida Memorial University where she had responsibility forprogram development and financial stewardship.
“I am honored to joinLSF and lead the incredible work happening at Miami Bridge. Together, we willcontinue to create safe spaces and transformative programs that will uplift ourcommunity,” said Dr. Mitchell.
Dr. Mitchellserves as a fellow for the University of Miami’s Emerging TransformationalLeadership Program. She received her Doctor of Education in educationalleadership, Master of Science in Education and Bachelor of Science inorganizational leadership from St. Thomas University. She served as a member ofthe U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force Reserve.
About LSF
LSFis a statewide nonprofit dedicated to helping the most vulnerable Floridians.We do this by reducing the suicide and drug addiction rate, giving families incrisis the support they need to persevere, and making sure those in poverty getthe education they need to close the achievement gap.
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Mothers Against Drunk Driving Victim Advocate Discusses Dangers of Drunk Driving from Miami Bridge on Vimeo.
Due to the continued risk of transmission and infection of COVID-19, all shelters are encouraged to reserve available beds for youth who are homeless or at serious risk in their current situation. Capacity is to be evaluated by current CDC guidelines for maintaining safe social distance in sleeping quarters and common areas.
At this time, reduction is still the best choice. We serve only truly critical youth and those who do not have a safe place to stay. We must limit the potential for contagion and illness among youth and staff by reducing census to allow for ample space between all persons in the milieu.
Youth who have a safe exit option, supported by licensed clinical oversight, should be discharged to reduce risk of contamination and supervisory burden on direct care staff. We will contact the court for all court ordered youth prior to discharge. If we need assistance communicating with the courts about court-ordered youth, please contact DJJ legal, or the Florida Network to facilitate that request.
Visitors and vendors should not be allowed to enter the facility unless their visit is deemed to be essential. Alternative electronic measures should be taken to allow youth to maintain family contact. Only essential visits are allowed on the property at this time– Visitors must remain outside and observe Covid-19 precautions while on site (physical distancing and masks). At no point, are nonessential visitors allowed into the shelter.
All facilities will maintain a single point of entry and exit into the residential environment to maintain strict control over sanitizing procedures to control for traffic and isolation of potentially harmful germs. Before any family completes an intake for services the intake/waiting area should be sanitized thoroughly. Any items that are not needed should not be allowed in the intake/waiting area (cell phones, tablets, extra luggage, drinks etc.). After the intake is complete, all areas in the intake/ waiting room should be sanitized. This should also occur after any visitor, vendor or delivery person has left the facility.
5/8/2020
Miami Bridge Youth & Family Services, Inc. remains deeply committed to protecting our employees, youth, and the community at large. Earlier we made the socially responsible decision to allow our office staff to work remotely and have modified our intake and housing processes for our direct care staff until further notice. While this time frame is contingent on updates from government officials, Miami Bridge has implemented its “working remote” and COVID-19 protocol procedures and schedules.
Since the first case of COVID-19 in the United States, with cases now reaching 1 million, Miami Bridge’s executive leadership team has continually met to update and educate staff and youth. The leadership team has also been proactively planning innovative “client experience” approaches to offset the effects of social distancing.
True to our mission, our shelters remain open to serve the runaway and displaced youth of this community. With the increase of domestic violence due to current stay-at-home orders, our nonresidential counselors continue to provide counseling and other resources to families in need. In addition, our agency recently worked with community partners to donate food and furniture to several families because caretakers were furloughed from their jobs.
We will continue our critical work—but we need your help. Our having to postpone our annual signature fundraisers, while at the same time providing hazardous pay to our workers, could adversely affect our ability to assist youth in need. Please keep Miami Bridge in mind as we work together during this uncertain time and share our experiences.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Best Regards,
Dr. Dorcas L. Wilcox, LCSW, CEO of Miami Bridge Youth & Family Services, Inc.
In February 2019, the Miami Bridge team visited Tallahassee and met with state legislators to inform and solicit support for the organization’s first official bill – Host Homes! Many thanks to our state senators and representatives for taking the time out of their busy schedules to share their thoughts and support for our mission and future vision with CEO, Dr. Dorcas Wilcox. We are also incredibly grateful for GrayRobinson’s constant advocacy and professionalism as we navigate through the legislative process. We are here to create a better tomorrow for today’s kids!
Miami Bridge Youth & Family Services hosted a summer BBQ last month to celebrate the organization’s 33rd birthday on June 19.
A fish a day will keep the doctors at the bay. This weekend is the 31st annual Miami Physician Fishing Tournament in Key Largo, and we spoke with two of the participating doctors.
Miami Bridge Youth & Family Services’ strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency have earned it a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator. This is the first time that Miami Bridge has earned this top distinction.
Be a part of the 31st annual Miami Physicians Fishing Tournament benefiting Miami Bridge Youth & Family Services, Miami-Dade County’s only emergency home serving children ages 10 to 17, offering a full-range of free services including in-shelter counseling, family counseling, field trips, in-home counseling and reunification with family.
Miami Bridge Youth & Family Services, Inc. welcomes Marco Lopez, CPA as the newest member of its Board of Directors.
In February 2019, the Miami Bridge team visited Tallahassee and met with state legislators to inform and solicit support for the organization’s first official bill – Host Homes! Many thanks to our state senators and representatives for taking the time out of their busy schedules to share their thoughts and support for our mission and future vision with CEO, Dr. Dorcas Wilcox. We are also incredibly grateful for GrayRobinson’s constant advocacy and professionalism as we navigate through the legislative process. We are here to create a better tomorrow for today’s kids!
Miami Bridge Youth & Family Services hosted its annual Holiday Luncheon on December 15 at its Central shelter location. More than 75 guest participated in the holiday festivities.
On December 15, 2016, Miami Bridge hosted a holiday luncheon for the community. The luncheon featured performances by the talented Miami Bridge kids, as well as a touching testimonial from a young girl whose life was bettered by the organization.