MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade received a symbolic check for $6.4 million on Wednesday morning that will be invested in three clubs including a new one at a school that is named after Rep. Frederica S. Wilson in Miami Gardens.
The United States Department of the Treasury signed the symbolic check with Wilson’s name at the top of it. Wilson and Alex Rodriguez-Roig, the president of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade, inaugurated the new club at the Dr. Frederica S. Wilson/Skyway Elementary School, at 4555 NW 206 Terrace.
“Prevention is the key,” Wilson said. “We can either pay now and invest in our children, or we can pay later and invest in prisons.”
The funds will also enrich activities at the existing Northwest Club, at 10915 NW 14 Ave., in Miami-Dade’s Pinewood neighborhood, and at the NFL Club at Gwen Cherry Park, at 7090 NW 22 Ave. in Miami-Dade’s Gladeview neighborhood.
“One of the big things obviously is continuing the academic efforts ... but we have added components ... to really get them excited about school and education,” Rodriguez-Roig said.
The school’s club will provide after-school and summer programs for over 100 children, including students from seven other schools in the area, according to Wilson.
Wilson and Rodriguez-Roig joined Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Miami-Dade Superintendent Jose Dotres, and other area officials to make the announcement in front of a group of children at the school’s auditorium.