November 30, 1999

To commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Juvenile Court in the United States, Miami-Dade County’s 11th Judicial Court  — led by Administrative Judges Cindy Lederman, Lester Langer and Scott Bernstein — are hosting a week-long series of activities at the Juvenile Justice Center Dec. 6 -10.   The overall theme is “Building a World Safe for the Dreams of Children.” Daily events and presentations between 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. will include:

Community Day, Monday Dec. 6 — Includes a performance by the Actors’ Playhouse. Also exhibits from: Children’s Home Society, Foster Care Review, Inc., Guardian Ad Litem Program, The Non-Violence Project, Peace Education Foundation and the Youth Alternatives Program, Inner City Children’s Dance Co., Artz-n-the-Hood.

Education Day, Tuesday, Dec. 7 — Teen Court mock trial, Dade County Bar Association Juvenile Committee, Public Defender’s Office, State Attorney’s Office, Cooking demonstrations by TROY Academy and Johnson & Wales, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Office of Work Force Development, Department of Juvenile Justice Detention School, Miami Jackson Jazz Band, Truancy Alternative Program, Judicial Panel, Miami-Dade Public Library, Weed & Seed, Miami Dolphins.

Health Day, Wednesday, Dec. 8 — Performances by The Improv Group from the Village, Martial Arts demonstration emphasizing “Say No to Drugs,” blood pressure screening provided by the Mobile Health Unit.   Exhibits from Project YES, KidCare, TANF, Bertha Abess, Children’s Home Society, Our Children Our Future, Family Health Center, AGAPE, Concept House, Spectrum, Family Services Planning Teams, Miami Coalition for a Drug Free Community, Drug Free Youth Club, Youth Crime Watch, Children’s Medical Service, Children’s Psychiatric Center, Department of Health, Mobile Health Unit, WAGES.

Family Day, Thursday, Dec. 9 — Exhibits from Regis House, CHARLEE, Bay Point Academy, Boys & Girls Club, Kristi House, Hands on Miami, Amigos, Miami Rescue, Coconut Grove Cares/The Barnyard Community Center, Department of Children & Families and Children’s Psychiatric Center.

Self-Expression Day, 12:15 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10 — Unveiling of Xavier Cortada’s mosaic mural. Cortada, through the drawings and poems of 500 kids in the system, created the mosaic which will be permanently displayed on the facade of the Juvenile Justice Center.

All activities are open to the public.  The Juvenile Justice Center is located at 3300 NW 27th Avenue. Major sponsors include Holland & Knight LLP and the Leigh Foundation.   For more information on the mosaic or the week-long activities, contact Paul Indelicato at (305) 638-6102 or Chair/Judge Scott Bernstein at (305) 638-6238