Dr. Bendross-Mindingall among South Floridians given presidential awards for community service

Warm congratulations to the recent honorees of The President’s Lifetime Achievement Award. The ceremony, held last weekend in Davie, honored people who have shown outstanding dedication to their communities.

They include the Hon. Dr. Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall for her decades of outstanding work in the field of education. She is a former teacher and principal who has served on the Miami-Dade County School Board since 2010. She is also a former Democratic member of the Florida House of Representatives.

Also honored was Tangela Sears, founder of Florida Parents of Murdered Children, for her ongoing fight against gun violence.

The Rev. Dr. Gloria Williams and her daughter Pastor Richelle A. Lorde, co-pastors at Jesus People Ministries Church International in Miami Gardens, were honored for their “acts of service and commitment to the community.”

In 2003, President George H.W. Bush Bush created the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation, which founded The President’s Volunteer Service Award to recognize the important role of volunteers in America’s strength and national identity. This award, bestowed in communities nationwide, honors individuals whose service positively impacts communities in every corner of the country and inspires those around them to take action, too.

Catalyst Hip-Hop to open permanent home in Hialeah

Catalyst Hip-Hop, a program serving thousands of graffiti artists, rappers, break-dancers and DJs, under the umbrella of Youth for Christ, will open its permanent home in South Florida at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. on Aug. 9 at 2093 W. 76th St. in Hialeah.

Founded in 2001, Catalyst Hip-Hop has been a refuge of sort for teenagers to come together on a weekly or monthly basis to express themselves through art, music and dance. It is also a place where they can learn about Jesus Christ because at the end of each meeting, the leader or sponsor of the group shared the Christian faith with those in attendance.

In addition to being a place where the young artists could share their talents, the meetings also served as a place where they could be mentored to “live a life free from drugs, crime and violence,” said Catalyst Director David Arnaez.

Since the organization was founded in 2001, Catalyst Hip-Hop has had to meet in various churches because the organization didn’t have a permanent home of its own. It does now. “We are very excited to have our own space where we can reach out to youth in South Florida,” Arnaez said.

The site is a long time coming. Tia Diaz-Balart, the executive director of Miami Youth for Christ said, “Teenagers today are facing unprecedented challenges mentally, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. I am excited for the Catalyst program to unfold in its first permanent home in Hialeah. Our mission at Youth for Christ is to heal and lift the hearts of youth, and our mission field is right here in Miami-Dade.

Since Catalyst Hip-Hop was founded more than two decades ago by the late Minister Joel Stigale, the program has served over 10,000 youth. Sadly, Stigale didn’t live to see his dream of a permanent home in South Florida for his program become a reality. He died in 2016 from a lung disease when he was 41.

“But his passion and vision lives on,” said Arnaez, who was mentored by Stigale.

The new facility will feature a 56-by-19-foot mural that depicts the purpose of Catalyst. There will also be a portrait-style mural of Stigale in the new Catalyst home.

Miami Youth for Christ is an arm of Youth for Christ International, which was founded in Chicago in 1945, following World War II. The late evangelist Billy Graham was its first full-time employee.

Today the worldwide Christian movement works with youth in more than 100 nations, giving young people an opportunity to become followers of Jesus Christ.

Miami Youth for Christ, at 9350 SW 79th Ave., is a nonprofit organization, and has served South Florida youth for more than seven decades. Each year, over 3,000 students are served through five major programs: Campus Life, Juvenile Justice, Catalyst, City Life KIX, and Cloud Life.

The organization recently celebrated its 75th anniversary with two fund-raising banquet galas held at the Miami Blue Lagoon Hilton Hotel. Nearly 1,000 guests and supporters of the organization attended.

For more information on Youth for Christ and Catalyst Hip-Hop, call 305-271-2442, or visit its website at www.miamiyfc.com.

‘Musical Fiesta’ concert at Historic St. Agnes Episcopal Church

The Historic St. Agnes Episcopal Church at 1759 NW Third Ave. in Overtown will host The Celestial Voices of Barbados in “A Musical Fiesta” at 4 p.m. on July 29.

The musical group will perform a program that includes the works of Vivaldi, Bach, spirituals and music from Broadway shows as well as arias from operas. In addition, the choir will perform Caribbean folk music.

The concert, said Janelle Hall, who handles public relations for the church, is a part of the 2023 Calendar Tea, which is part of the church’s annual fundraising program.

“This is a perfect opportunity for us to bring this group to our community,” Hall said. “It will be a festive event and we are inviting attendees to wear their Caribbean attire.”

Tickets are $30 each and may be purchased by calling the parish office, at 786-362-5658. The Rev. Denrick Rolle is rector of the church.

‘Summer Family Fun Day’ at Jesus People Ministries Church

Jesus People Ministries Church International at 4055 NW 183rd St. in Miami Gardens invites the community to a “Summer Family Fun Day” to be at 11 a.m. on July 29.

The program will feature a theatrical performance with song and dance designed to showcase an atmosphere of love.

Also, those in need of prayer may join the church’s prayer call at 11 a.m. each Wednesday. The number to call is 267-807-9611.

Reach Bea L. Hines at bea.hines@gmail.com