Youth Crime Watch of Miami-Dade County Winter 2021 Winter Newsletter

Mission Statement: To foster a safe school environment impacting student well-being through awareness & involvement

“YCW of Miami Dade” News: August 2020- January 2021

Due to the pandemic, Youth Crime Watch of Miami-Dade has altered its scope of service, going more virtually. Even so, once again YCW has implemented and rein-stated YCW school programs (clubs) at numerous school sites for the 2020-2021 school year. YCW of Miami-Dade has also conducted various virtual school presentations on youth crime prevention topics including: Bullying/Cyberbullying Prevention, Cybersafety, Drug Prevention, Reporting Crimes, and Personal Safety. 

The Miami-Dade Red Ribbon Week Campaign (October 23-31) was once again successful on educating Miami-Dade County students on Drug Prevention. Youth Crime Watch of Miami-Dade County conducted virtual YCW “Red Ribbon Week” Drug Prevention Presentations for Miami-Dade County Schools. This year’s Red Ribbon Week Theme was “Be Happy, Be Brave, Be Drug Free”. YCW incorporated the theme in the virtual presentations. 

YCW School Programs (Clubs) Spotlight 

August 2020-January 2021 

Gloria Floyd Elementary reinstated a YCW School Program (Club) for the 2020-2021 school year. The school’s YCW Advisor is Ana Arias, a Kindergarten Teacher at the school. The program was reinstated virtually which included monthly meetings where the YCW Stu-dent Members were educated on Personal Safety, Drug Prevention, and Bullying/Cyberbullying Prevention. The YCW Student Members shared the information learned with their peers. 

Leewood K-8 Center implemented a YCW School Program (Club) for the 2020-2021 school year. The program’s YCW School Advisor is Officer Jorge Ojeda of the M-DCPS School Police Department. Officer Ojeda has incorporated his law enforcement experi-ence in the program. The YCW Student Members were virtually trained by YCW of Mi-ami-Dade County. 

Silver Bluff Elementary reinstated a YCW School Program (Club) for the 2020-2021 school year. The school’s YCW School Advisor Team are Silvia Fernandez (a teacher at the school), Natalie Me-sa (the school’s Counselor), and Marilyn Guerra (a teacher at the school). The school’s YCW Pro-gram has been conducting their meetings virtually, and have shared many insights and ideas in keeping their school safe. They plan to continue to be active with youth crime prevention activities. 

YCW Monthly Award Recipients 

September 2020-January 2021 

YCW Advisor of the Month September 2020 
Silvis Fernandez of Silver Bluff Elementary 

YCW Advisor of the Month October 2020 
Natalie Mesa of Silver Bluff Elementary 

YCW Advisor of the Month November 2020 
Zenaida Cook of Thomas Jefferson Middle 

YCW Advisor of the Month December 2020 
Peter Falcon of Barbara Goleman Senior High 

YCW Student of the Month January 2021 
Dwight Mattox of Barbara Goleman Senior High