Dominican American National Foundation Memoirs

The Dominican American National Foundation – 1

Our 15th Anniversary

Letter from our PresidentDear Friends and Supporters of DANF:

Bienvenidos! On Behalf of the Board of Directors of the Dominican American NationalFoundation (DANF), I welcome you with open arms to the 15th AnniversaryCelebration and the National Community Leadership Award presentation.

Once again, we join together as a community to celebrate the 15 years of accomplish-ments of the DANF. Today, we are filled with joy as we take part of this wonderful organi-zation. All these years of dedication have led to the growth of programs and the stabilityof the fiscal soundness of our social service agency, thanks to funding sources such as theChildren’s Trust, Americorps and Miami Dade County’s Department and Alliance forHuman Services.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my congratulations to RhadamesPeguero, Executive Director, all staff and Carol Guzman-Hoffman our grant writer for theremarkable work done during these past two fiscal years. We are proud of our agency’sworking track record both in the areas of programming and fiscal management. The Boardof Directors and staff have commenced the preliminary work to establish a capital cam-paign for the purchase of a building that will house all our current and future programsand activities.

This evening DANF is honored to have keynote speaker, Dr. Barbara Carey-Shuler,Chairperson of Miami Dade Board County Commissioners, whose unconditional supporthelped DANF reach a higher level of service delivery.

In addition, we are honoring individuals from the community whose leadership isexemplary in the areas of business, media and health. We salute to Roberto Alvarez, Dr.Angelica Floren and Willie Lora, recipient of this year’s National Community LeadershipAward.

We hope to have your continue support. With warm regards,

Margarita Cepeda-LeonardoPresident of DANF

Estimados amigos y colaboradores de la DANF:La Junta de Directores de la Fundación Nacional Dominico Americana les da la bienvenida con los bra-

zos abiertos a la celebración del 15 Aniversario y la entrega del Reconocimiento de Liderazgo Nacional.Nuevamente, nos reunimos para celebrar los quince años de logros de la DANF. Estamos orgullosos

de formar parte de esta maravillosa organización. Nuestro consistente y duro trabajo está dando sus fru-tos con el crecimiento de todos los programas y nuestra solvencia financiera como agencia de serviciosocial, gracias a organizaciones como el Children’s Trust, Americorps, y el Miami Dade County Alliance forHuman Services.

Queremos aprovechar esta oportunidad para manifestar nuestro más sincero agradecimiento aRhadamés Peguero, Director Ejecutivo, el personal y a Carol Guzmán-Hoffman, nuestra destacada relato-ra por el trabajo realizado durante los dos pasados años fiscales. Estamos orgullosos del trabajo que nues-tra agencia ha venido desarrollando en las áreas de planificación y manejo financiero. También la junta dedirectores y el personal han iniciado el trabajo preliminar para iniciar una campaña de recaudación de fon-dos para la compra de un edificio que será el nuevo hogar de nuestros actuales y futuros programas y activi-dades communitarias

Esta noche para la DANF es un honor tener como principal oradora a la Doctora Barbara Carey-Shuler, miembro de la Comisión del Condado de Miami Dade, quien incondicionalmente ha brindado suapoyo a esta entidad a alcanzar un gran nivel de servicio a la comunidad.

También, estamos reconociendo individualmente a personalidades de nuestra comunidad por su lide-razgo individual en las áreas de negocios, medios de comunicación y salud. Ellos son Roberto Alvarez, Dra.Angélica Florens y Willie Lora quienes recibirán este año el premio de liderazgo nacional comunitario.

Confiamos en poder continuar recibiendo su apoyo. Con afectuosos saludos.

2 – The Dominican American National Foundation

1989-2004

leadership of my Board of Directors, thecommitment and professionalism ofthe staff, and the help and support ofour friends and collaborators thisdream will become a reality.

Another priority is the develop-ment of community-based educationalprojects and capacity-building projects,for the purpose of obtaining specificbenefits for our community. In order toachieve better education, better jobopportunities, capable leadership, andpolitical representation, it is extremelyimportant that the organization receivethe utmost support from all entities inorder to better concentrate all ourefforts on behalf of the disadvantagedand minorities communities. If we wishto keep growing we must not encour-age divided feelings and animosityamong partisan groups.

We cannot lend our voices and ourfuture to those that ignore the hardwork and dedication of our communi-ty. This is our responsibility; this is ourcommunity, and I feel that we are justas capable to lead it as anyone else is.

Hace quince años no existían enMiami o en el Estado de la Florida organi-zaciones 501(c)(3) dirigidas y dedicadas ala comunidad Dominico-Americana. Hoycontinuamos siendo la única organizaciónDominico-Americana que orgullosamenteexhibe sus colores en el Estado de laFlorida, la cual es dirigidas por dominico-americano con una clara visión de trabajaren pos del desarrollo de nuestra comu-nidad, y otras comunidades. Esto se reflejatanto en su junta directiva, su staff y a ladiversidad. De personas que servimos.

En esto momentos estamos concen-trando y dedicando todo nuestro esfuerzoen futuro de La Fundación Nacional Domi-nico-Americana! Nuestra historia ha sidograbada en la mente de miles de personasque hemos servido durante los últimosquince años. Pero el futuro de la comu-nidad Dominico-Americana va a dependerde cuán duro estamos dispuestos a trabajar

para proveer mejores oportunidades paranuestra gente, incluyendo cualquier grupoétnico.

Mirando hacia el futuro, el sueño deun edificio equipado con un Centro de En-señanza, Cuidado de Niños, Pre-Escolar yCentro Tecnológico se ha constituido en miprioridad. La celebración de este quinceaniversario confirma mi creencia de que“la coherencia, el trabajo tesonero y ladeterminación dejan resultados positivos.Estoy seguro que con el liderazgo de miJunta de Directores, el profesionalismo ydedicación del staff, y mas que nada laayuda y apoyo de nuestros amigos y co-laboradores, este sueño pronto será unagran realidad.

Otras de la prioridades es la de crearproyectos en pro del desarrollo de Organi-zaciones con Base en la Comunidad, ycapacitación de sus dirigentes, para de esamanera recibir beneficios específicos y con-cretos que afecten de manera positiva anuestra comunidad tales como: mejor edu-cación para nuestros hijos, mejores oportu-nidades de trabajo, acceso a planes habita-cionales, lideres capaces, y representaciónpolítica.

Finalmente yo propongo que concen-tremos todos nuestros esfuerzos a favor deldesarrollo de nuestra Diaspora en EstadosUnidos. No podemos continuar disipandonuestros esfuerzos en un “sueño imposi-ble”. La división y animosidad que los par-tidos y los políticos inyectan a nuestracomunidad es nociva, y no debe ser tolera-da.

No podemos empeñar nuestras voces ynuestro futuro a otros que históricamentehan ignorados el arduo trabajo y la dedi-cación de nuestra comunidad, ese es nue-stro trabajo, esta es nuestra comunidad, ycreemos que somos capaces de dirigirla yaque hemos crecido y nos hemos desarrolla-do en el corazón de la misma.

Nosotros vamos a usar y a reclamar elderecho de determinar nuestro futuro, yestamos listos para hacer lo que sea nece-sario para garantizar el mismo.

Gracias.

Message from our Executive DirectorRhadames Peguero

Fifteen years ago, there were virtual-ly no 501 (c)(3) non-profit organi-zations in Miami Dade County, or

the State of Florida dedicated to servethe Dominican American community.Today we continue to be the onlyDominican American lead-organizationthat proudly display its colors, and con-tinue with a clear mission of empower-ing our community.

At this moment we are concentrat-ing and dedicating all our efforts toDANF’s future! Our history has beenrecorded in the minds of thousands ofpeople that we have served during thelast fifteen years. But the future of theDominican American community willdepend in how hard we are going towork in order to provide better oppor-tunities for our community and otherdisadvantaged ethnic groups.

As I look into the future, the dreamof a facility equipped with a LearningCenter, Day Care, Pre-School Centerand office space has become my imme-diate priority. This Fifteen YearsAnniversary celebration has confirmedmy belief that coherence, hard workand determination brings positiveresults, and I am sure that with the



Message from Dr. Barbara M. Carey-ShulerChairperson, Board of County Commissioners District 3


1989-2004

Message from

Jeb BushGovernor of the State of Florida

Message from

AlexPenelasMayor of Miami-Dade County



Message from

ManuelA. Diaz

Mayor of the Cityof Miami, Florida

Message from

Alcee L.Hastings

23 Congressional District – Florida


1989-2004

Message from

DennisC. MossCommissioner District 9Miami-Dade County, FL

Message from

Jimmy L. MoralesCommissioner District 7, Miami-Dade County, FL

Message from

Betty T.FergusonCommissioner District 1Miami-Dade County, FL

The Dominican Amernican National Foundation 7



1989-2004

Special Guest

Adriano Espaillat

State of New YorkAssembly, Chairmanof Task Force onBlack, Puerto Ricanand HispanicLegislative Caucus

Painting Exhibition by The Two

Monnalisas

YahidithMonnalisa

NatachaMonnalisa

Message from

CidWilsonPresidentDominican AmericanNational Roundtable



Board of Directors

PresidentMargarita Cepeda

Vice-PresidentOlga Acosta

TreasurerSamuel Moya

SecretaryAna Francisco

Assistant TreasurerSantiago Fermín

Angel Barboza

Augusto Corniel

Grecia García

Novella García-Peguero

Roberto Guzmán

Arturo López

Rafael Morel

Joyce Núñez

Celeste Reyes

Sucre Reyes-Cohen

DOMINICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL FOUNDATION2885 NW 36TH STREET • MIAMI, FLORIDA 33142 • TEL. 305-637-8337 • FAX 305-638-9474

1-877-630-8337 • 1=877-362-8337 • www.dominicanamerican.com


1989-2004

In 2004 and for the first time,DANF is the home of seven youthand intervention/prevention pro-

grams, all aiming to help the individ-uals digress from a troublesome pathto a career oriented one. Programsfunded by Miami-Dade County'sDepartment of Human Services suchas the Improving Community ControlProgram, Positive Youth and Develop-ment, Family Empowerment, Aca-demic/ Vocational, and Neighbor-hood Information, and The Children'sTrust, are only a scope of what DANFis preparing for in the next few years.All these programs are multi year con-tracts allowing us to open the doors to

those children and families that needthe help and support. In order to meettheir needs in the most beneficial wayDANF will start working withAmericorps' Vista Program and its vol-unteers. These volunteers will provideadditional attention and service toeach program and its clients.

Nowadays, DANF's clients rely onthe extra assistance of young adultsfrom local high schools such as MiamiJackson Senior High volunteering tomeet their high school requirements.However, these students are not onlymeeting their prerequisites, they arealso gaining invaluable working expe-rience and learning the importance of

The Future of DANF. The choices you

make today envisage where you'll be tomorrow.

In the case of the DANF today's present is the mere result of the choices made

fifteen years ago. It was merely a small group of motivated individuals that in

1989 elevated the idea of organizing a group of individuals with the same

goals and mission: to help gear the economically and academically challenged

individuals towards a life of self-sufficiency and a healthy lifestyle. Today, DANF

celebrates yesterday's choices in preparation for tomorrow's actions.

Margina Muñoz, Administrative Assistant

Left: DANF's afterschool program is open Monday thruFriday from 2pm to 6pm. Daily activities include readinggroups, homework assistance with the help of MDCvolunteers, snacks and refreshments, and Martial Artsclasses.Rigth: One of DANF's upcoming programs is the VISTAAmericorps Program, which consists of 5 Membersworking Full Time and focusing on academics, communityservice projects, and fundraising.

new programs, etc. These new pro-grams, for example will be developedin the area of performing arts includ-ing belly dancing and tap dancing;other programs will target child care,substance abuse, and college place-ment to name a few.

The increase of programs willopen doors to new people and ofcourse more data. For the first timeDANF will enter and maintain its owndatabase management system for theorganization and reporting of eachcurriculum and its clients. Theincrease of plans will also open doorsfor DANF to step onto other sectors ofthe Miami-Dade county, eventually toother surrounding northern counties,and one day to national offices. Todate, DANF has collaborated withmore than one hundred local agen-cies, non-profit organizations, andbusinesses to and celebrate specialcommunity events and projects.

The year two thousand four is justa preview of what is to come forDANF. Each current and upcomingprogram is unique in its own way tar-geting and serving a specific popula-tion of youth, be it a registered clientor a volunteer, but the one commonground between all programs is thatthey aim to help shape our youth'spresent into a healthy and successfulfuture.



responsibility by working with thestudents on a one to one basis, or bylearning to file and sort documents.

In addition to working with highschool students DANF maintains acollaborative partnership with MiamiDade College and the students, whomare also seeking to meet courserequirements. These volunteers, un-like the high school volunteers, inter-act more and serve as role models tothe children and adolescents assignedto them. DANF plans to build fromthe foundation already establishingwith the volunteers to provide addi-tional positive guidance for all itsclients by initiating a mentorship pro-gram through collaborations with col-lege students from universities such asthe University of Miami. Through thismentorship program, both the adultand the child will exchange pricelessand hopefully gratifying and lifechanging moments.

As much as DANF continues toexpand and grow in numbers, it can-not do so effectively unless it movesto a new home to house all these pro-grams. DANF's vision of a new build-ing continues to permeate among theBoard of Directors and the staff. Plansfor a new building have started andthe finalizations are just around thecorner. A new building will mean newfaces, new environment, new services,

Future plans for DANF particpants include more community service opportunities, fundraising, and cultural/academic projects aimed to motivate and educate the kids.

Prior to this program,

DANF is currently

collaborating with one

of Miami Dade College's

Professors by offering

a volunteer opportunity

to his students.

This project serves to

better acquaint us with

volunteers and service

projects in preparation

for the VISTA members

Keyla Castillo assists DANF Administration and Program Coordinators with dailyadministrative duties. She intends to pursue a college degree after graduating,and use her diverse work experience gained while working for DANF.


1989-2004

The After-School Program providesparticipants with homework assistance,tutoring, computer training, cultural andrecreational activities. In addition, partici-pants partake in alcohol, drug abuse andconflict resolution workshops.

The Child/Parent Literacy Programassists young Hispanics and their parentsin achieving English literacy, and gives par-ent training in child development and par-enting. The overarching goal of this pro-gram is to strengthen families, increaseschool success for youth, and increase par-

The "Youth Crime Diversion throughFamily Empowerment" and "Im-proving Community Control" pro-

grams accommodate youth involved withthe criminal justice system. These pro-grams work with youth who have beencourt-ordered to complete a multi-weekprogram in order to prevent recidivism,help transitioning during probation and toensure a successful re-entry into society.

The youth portion includes mandato-ry crime-diversion workshops, academictutoring, counseling, job preparedness andcomputer works, plus bonding and creativeactivities for youth. For example, theyouth are taken to jail tours to createawareness and a reality check. The family-oriented intervention strategy includeswork with a case manager, various activi-ties and required workshops. Work withthe entire family is a means of helping theyouth and reducing/deflecting the familialrisk factors that could encourage delin-quency. Weekly learning groups addressthe needs of youth, families, and children,as appropriate for the age level and cultureof the involved participants.

The neighborhood emphasis is aneighborhood-wide education and out-reach campaign that stresses the impor-tance and effectiveness of training andintervention, as a means of averting incar-ceration and also improving the neighbor-hood. This portion also emphasizes civicengagement, civic responsibility and citi-zenship.

ent involvement in their children's devel-opment and to help communities improvethe lives of their residents through healthyfamilies.

At this point, the DANF team is work-ing together in different projects such as aThanksgiving and Christmas party.Starting November 2004 DANF will beadding belly dancing and drama classes toits work plan. Moreover, we are establish-ing a service learning experience withMDC students to volunteer with our pro-grams.

As a social worker and the new Assistant Program Director, I deeply believe in

DANF's mission statement. All these programs that DANF offers help the

participants to empower themselves through education,

prevention/intervention and to provide services that they are entitled to. DANF

offers a variety of youth programs intended to empower our youth and

enhance their futures. We group participants into two clusters, offenders and

non-offenders, and offer programs to compliment their situations.

Empoweringthrough education

Vanessa D'Oliveira, Assistant Program Director

Hilda Maria Acosta is joining students Angel Pichel and Manny Acosta in the arts and crafts group. They are mak-ing the final touches on the "goodies" bag received from DANF to use on Halloween.

by Paul Arguedas



Once the youth begins attend-ing, I perform periodic fol-low-ups with the youth, the

youth's probation officer and legalguardian on his/ her progress.Throughout the duration of the pro-gram, the youth is involved andreceives valuable information on sub-jects such as anger management, sub-

stance abuse, financial planning,career assessment, improving self-esteem and job readiness. The youthalso receives academic tutoring, par-ticipates in social and recreationalactivities including field trips to localcolleges and universities, and jailtours. By exposing the youth to theprograms' services, the youth will beable to grasp learned knowledge andapply it to everyday life situationswhile making the right choices andbuilding skills to demonstrate positiveachievements.

In the future of the ICC Program,I see many projects and opportunitiesfor the program and the youths. Iwould like to introduce them to manyother educational workshops involv-ing subjects such as nutrition, familyvalues, and manners. I would also liketo help expand their creativity byintroducing and exposing them to thediversity of the arts, such as the muse-um, musical plays and symphonies.Role models and positive guest speak-ers are always sought to help theyouths learn about life and the deci-sions they make.

The ICC Programoffers a positive direction for young adults

Ricania François, Program Coordinator

The ICC Program is a program that offers a positive direction for juvenile

offenders between the age of 13 and 17. It consists of supervising and

educating the youths while introducing them to beneficial life learning

activities. The process begins with an intake, where there is an initial meeting

with youth, his/her legal guardian, and myself; The program's rules and

regulations are also discussed.

ICC Program's Coordinator, Ricania François is assigninga Latin America country to one of participants, at the firstannual Hispanic Heritage Month Potluck.

ICC participants presented their country and related facts to the group on Friday, October 29, 2004. After thepresentation, all students enjoyed the ethnic food contributed that day for their own and the staff’s enjoyment.


1989-2004

appropriate for the age level and cul-ture of the involved participants.

The Referral Services Program cur-rently offers classes in GED and com-puter classes. All of which the classeshave had a successful attendancerates. The program promotes self-effi-ciently by providing skills to individu-als and making them more marketablein the workplace.

The other two programs that I amstill implementing are the Immigra-tion Vocational/ Academic Programand Positive Youth Program. With TheImmigration Vocational-AcademicProgram we will receive referrals fromlocal Workforce-One Stop centers. Theprogram will be providing immigrantswith soft skills workshops essential tothe needs of the community for jobplacement.

Positive Youth and Families target120 Hispanic families throughout thecommunity that have language barri-ers. The foundation of this program isliteracy for the whole family. In ourlocal community, there have beennumerous times where I have seenkids translating for their parents; wewant to empower the parents so theymay interact more with the lives oftheir children.

The DANF has been unsurpassedservice for fifteen years; we havebecome a safe haven for disadvantageyouth and their families. My experi-ence here, although I am a fairly newmember of this team, has beensuperlative. The staff here is trulyunderstanding of the needs of thecommunity and convenes to theneeds of cliental.

As the current program coordinator and case manager here at the DANF. The fourprograms that I am currently managing are the Family Empowerment, ReferralServices, the Immigration Vocational/Academic, Positive Youth and Families Program.

Our Youth,Family and

Immigration Services

Maria Dias, Programs Coordinator

Claudia Garrido helps individuals seeking immigration, citizenship, or job placement assistance ona daily basis using resources such as the DANF directory of services and the Switchboard of Miami.

The Family EmpowermentProgram is dedicated to work-ing with Juvenile offenders who

were diverted from court action byenrolling in a delinquency preventionplan to ensure a positive and success-ful re-entry into society: this programessentially emphases family bondingand empowerment. The youth offend-ers are between the ages of eleven andseventeen years of age. They arerequired to attend at least 9 hours aweek where we offer services such ason site tutoring, counseling services,along with weekly peer/family work-shops. Working with the entire familyis a means of helping the youth anddeflecting familial factors that couldencourage delinquency. Weekly learn-ing groups will address the needs ofyouth, families and children, as

Case Manager, Maria Dias is assisting and reminding two of the Family Empowerment'sparticipants to complete the daily sign in/out sheet.



The primary focus of these groupintervention sessions is to dis-cuss issues such as anger man-

agement and substance abuse preven-tion; yet within the context of thesegroups we can address any relevantissues that they may be strugglingwith and that may be causing theirmaladaptive behavior. For example,we hear issues relating to social andcommunity stressors, as well as familyissues like parents' divorce or the lossof a parent due to death incarcerationor any other unfortunate circum-stance that may have contributed totheir emotional and behavioral diffi-culties. Another component of myservices is providing family counsel-ing sessions where I meet with boththe parent(s) and the adolescent towork on any identified parent/childissues.

It is equally unfortunate thatoftentimes these young people havehad unfavorable experiences in theirschool system that compound theirproblems and impact their positiveadaptation in society. The overall pur-pose of my intervention is to enhanceproper and healthy adaptation to soci-ety. In a case in which a client pres-ents a clinical issue that would requiremore in depth intervention, I referhim or her to a community mentalhealth center where they would con-tinue for further evaluation and treat-ment.

My clinical services are availableto any students in the program thatmay going through a crisis. I am verypleased to be a member of this valu-able organization and be part of thepositive services that it is providing tothe local community and its citizens.

My role as a psychotherapist consists of several functions, one them being to

provide brief individual evaluations of new clients that are referred by the

court to the ICC program. Following this evaluation I provide brief individual

psychotherapy as well as group psychotherapy, depending on the case.

Our CounselingServices

Raul Lopez, Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Therapist, Raul Lopez servesstudents and their families onan individual basis or in a groupsetting at least three times aweek. If needed, students arealso referred to clinics such asMiami Behavioral or NewHorizons for further consultation

By Claudia V. Garrido, DANF - Receptionist

Academic Vocational ProgramI have been working for the DANF

as a receptionist and a general office aidfor the past two years and I am from theDominican Republic.

I am the first contact that all clientshave when they call or visit our facilitylooking for orientation, guidance or toparticipate in the multiple services orprograms that we offer the community.For me it is a pleasure being a part of thisfoundation and my greatest effort is toensure a professional treatment andcourtesy to everyone.

An important component of ourservices are the people concerned withimmigration issues. We serve about fiftyclients weekly and receive at least 80telephone calls daily. As an immigrant Ican relate to many of the clients that weserve. I'm happy to assist someone thatcalls or visits us with the purpose ofobtaining information regarding immi-gration, and even though we are not alaw firm we can direct them to the cor-rect person or in many cases refer themother facilities for legal or professionalhelp with the approval of my supervi-sors. The communitarian and socialwork, the interaction with people fromdifferent nationalities are all new experi-ences for me, but I'm able to understandthat in our communities there arenumerous problems that exist in allminority groups.

This is part of the job that I accom-plish for the foundation, and feel veryproud to work in this organization tohelp and collaborate in all I can becauseI'm also a part of this community.

Claudia Garrido is assists at last 25 individuals withmatters of immigration and citizenship.


1989-2004

Both these programs encompasstwo fundamental areas: academ-ics and counseling services.

Tutoring is available Monday thruFriday to students in high need ofassistance under the instruction of acertified teaching specialist. Counsel-ing is available at least three times aweek to individuals for individual/group counseling under the supervi-sion of a licensed clinical socialworker.

ACADEMICSTutoring is an educational service thatis offered to the students at the DANF.Many of the students here are dealingwith a lot of stress due to situations intheir home lives, etc., and they alsoquite often find the learning of aca-demic knowledge to be another stress-ful situation. It has been shown thatstress and mental turmoil can createnoise/mental static that blocks stu-dents' abilities to retrieve knowledgestored, and greatly impedes their abili-ty to reason and comprehend whichthen result's in academic impairment.Anxiety inhibits cognitive and physi-cal performance. "In sync" positiveuplifting feeling such as appreciationand care lead to increased harmonyand unison between the brain andnervous system to facilitate their abili-ty to think clearly and rationallyprocess information. Finding this "in-sync" greatly enhances learning.Students who have learned how to get"in-sync" have shown significant aca-demic improvement.

The tutoring program at DANFprovides the correct external condi-tions essential to support positivegrowth and to sustain further positivedevelopment for the student. Manystudents and young people have expe-rienced stressful and disappointing

Positive youth and families program targets 120 families (children and parents)

to participate together in literacy workshops, and reading sessions.

The Family Empowerment targets at least 38 youth offenders between the ages

of 11 and 17 years old that are mandated to attend the program at least

9hrs/week and participate in youth/parent workshops, family bonding

workshops at least one hour/week.

Susan Clarke, M.S., Tutor

Our Tutoringand Academic Services

Participants of the Family Empowerment partake in workshops dealing. Students read articles and discuss with staff,including Tutor, Susan Clarke and Case Manager, Maria Dias.



with the opportunity to succeed inhigh school, college, etc. Students arehelped, stimulated, and encouraged tolearn in a structured supportive settingthat promotes healthy and positivegrowth. They gain self-confidence andrespect for themselves and others, andthey are strengthened to make it overthe gap and on through the gateway toachieve a better life, for themselvesand society.

Intervention that provides muchneeded educational tutoring empowersthese students at risk to have a turnaround in their lives, from a life ofimpending failure, to a life rich withsuccess and positive outcomes.

experiences and failures that producednegative self-images, and loss of self-confidence. Intervention is the neededservice necessary to reserve this situa-tion. Students need to be empoweredso that they can pass through the gate-way into the twenty first century soci-ety of commerce successfully. It is asociety that is rooted in a knowledge-based economy where highly skilledand educated workers are becomingthe norm. We work to smooth theirpathway on to college, or on to otheralternative programs. We aim toencourage the best in our students, it isintegral to our job, first so that theycan get up to grade level proficiency,and then to continue to ratchet up intheir achievements, skills, and attain-ments.

Here at DANF our tutoring pro-gram encompasses skills assessment,homework assistance, help with math,language skills, literacy, English profi-ciency, and computer skills. Studentsare instructed with vocabulary, wordskills, phonemes, reading fluency,comprehension, and writing. We offerinstructional settings such as individ-ual, one to one, small group, peerinstruction, and cooperative learning(teacher modeling, and role models).We get to know our students' individ-ual capacities and needs to provide thepersonalized attention and support.The teacher is patient and firm, andunderstands and implements the les-son taught. The tutor explains, clari-fies, and demonstrates the lesson skills.Some students have short attentionspans. To address this problem theknowledge is broken up into small"chunks" so that the students can easi-ly absorb it. This way the students arenot so overwhelmed, and they can eas-ier learn and absorb the material, asmall piece at a time. Also, lessons aretaught using a variety of lesson plans,workbooks, formats, and materials, tokeep up the student's interest. Lessonaddress both academic and socialneeds and skills.

Tutoring at DANF provides for aca-demic rigor, educational support andchallenges, and is based on a sense ofpurpose to provide all the students

Students are preparing their posterboard on their assigned Latin American country to present at the first annual HispanicHeritage Potluck held on October 29, 2004.

Students shared theiropinions on the projectand we were glad tohear some very positiveand valuable feedback,including, "I had fun doing this", "I had never done something like this".

DANF staff held the first parent/staff meeting in October to discuss past, present, and future activities for their kids. Theparents’ support and cooperation is DANF’s second wheel to keep running the programs effectively.


1989-2004

The goal of the martial artsactivities is to teach them todefend themselves in difficult

situations, and to learn the impor-tance of modesty, self-confidenceand discipline.

The martial arts program is anincentive for those who have com-pleted their homework and readingassignments. Students are placedinto reading groups aace to beresponsible for the group's perform-ance. At the end of the month ortwo, depending on the progress, stu-dents will be rewarded for their read-ing with a pizza party, a field trip orany other appropriate prize.

My goal for these students isthat they will be better behaved,become better learners and becomemore interested in the experience oflearning and becoming educated inseveral areas of their interest. I hopethat not only do the students bene-fit, but also the parents at seeingthat their child is doing better inschool and is beginning to enjoytheir daily activities, especially bycoming to the after-school program.

Currently the Program Coordinator at DANF, and enjoying my experience with

the youth. The after school program is focused on youths ages 5-15, which is a

significant gap, but it also allows for learning from all parties. We mainly focus

on homework assistance and tutoring for those students that need the extra

help. Many of them are not at their reading level and extra time is allotted to

them so that they can progress with their peers.

The Martial ArtsAfter-School Program

Djenepha Polynice, Program Coordinator

Up: Instructor Francisco Cruzand students: Joel Betances,

Ronny Espinosa, CarlosVasquez, Bryan Collins, and

Elizabeth Rodriguez practicing"the jab".

Down: Afterschool Program.Vanessa D'Oliveira is reviewing

and emphasizing programrules and regulations.



* 1982- MASTERS in International Relationsfrom the School of Advanced InternationalStudies of the Univ. John Hopkins,Washington, DC.

* 1968- Doctorateís Degree of Law- UniversityAutonoma of Santo Domingo

* 1976- Maestria en Derecho Comparado,University of Georgetown, Washington, DC

Positions/Honors* Specialist, Intern American Commission of

Civil Rights..* Associate Director, Central American and

Caribbean Program* Consltant, BID

* Consltant, Instituto Latinoamericano para laPrevencion del Delito y el Tratamiento delDelincuente de las Naciones UnidasOfficial Delegate, International Amnesty

* Guest Speaker of Civil Rights AT MultiUniversities: American University, Univ.Autonoma de Sto. Domingo, RD, CentralAmerican University of Managua, Nicaragua,Rutgers Law School in Camden, New Jersery,FIU, and Miami City University in New York.

• OTHER WORKS Author, writer of Dominicannewspapers: El Caribe, Listin Diario, Rumbo,and Gaceta Judicial.

Dominican American National

Leadership AwardsSaturday, November 13th, 2004, at 7:00 pmHyatt Regency Hotel, Miami Downtown, Florida

Roberto AlvarezWashington, D.C Business Honoree

Born in Santiago, Dominican Republic • 1983 Bachelor in Television production and

direction, University of Miami. • 1987 Master in Communication and

Journalisim from the Univ. of Miami 1987• Worked at Univision, Telemundo, Reuters

International, NBC, and CBS Telenoticias• Became Production Director of Chanel 7 Cibao

in the Dominican Republic• In 1995 he won first and thrid place of the

International Film and Television Festival Asocintl the TV y Cine en NY

• In 2001 traveled Airforce One with thePresident of the United States for the coverage

of the President’s first trip to Latin Americaduring his first term. Countries visited wereMexico, Peru and El Salvador.

• In 2002 The National Academy of Art andSciences awarded him with an Emmy for hiscoverage of the 9/11 events.

• In 2004 The Government of the DominicanRepublic condecorated him with the Duarte,Sanchez y Mella Order in the rank ofGentelman.

• Have traveled around the world for the cover-age of the most relevants news and have pro-duced for CNN Espanol the most importantspecial events.

Willie LoraCNN en Español Media Honoree

Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics• 1967-73 MD Degree from the University of

Navarra Pamplona, España• 1974-75 Internship, Univ. of Puerto Rico• 1975-77 Residency, Univ. of Puerto Rico• Sep. 1976 Fellowship at the Massachusetts General

Hospital POSITION/HONORS• Robert Reid Cabral Childrenís Hospital, Sto

Domingo, Dominican Rep.: 1977-79 Asst. to theChief, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit; 1979-83Physician in Charge, Nenonatal Intensive CareUnit; 1983-87 Senior Physician, Outpatient Care,Outpatient Department; 1987-91 Physician inCharge.

• 1991-present Asst. Professor of Clinical Pediatrics,Division of Neonatology, University of MiamiSchool of Medicine

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHPS• Active Member: Dominican Society of Pediatrics,

Asociacion Medica Dominicana; DominicanAssociation of Pediatric Researchers; DominicanSociety of Infectious Diseases

• President, Fundacion Dominicana de Infectologiade la Florida

Other Works, Publications and Abstracts• Management and evolution of lead poisoning in

pediatric intensive care.• Continuous positive airway pressure. 1980.• The neonatal intensive care unit. General

Information. 1980.* Clinical and immunological findings in milk pro-

tein sensitivity.1985.* Gonococcal etiology of vaginitis in pre-menarchial

girls. XXIV convention of Pediatrics, 1988.

Dr. Angelica FlorenFloridaHealth Honoree

20 The Dominican Amernican National Foundation

Dominican American National Foundation Memoirs

Documents

Transcript of Dominican American National Foundation Memoirs