Building Leaders of Character (BLOC)

Who we serve
Middle and high school students

Where
Miami Dade County

What we do
After-school program that empowers youth to realize their full potential

Youth are valued and have meaningful, decision-making roles in our community. Involving and engaging them as equal partners is reflected both in our afterschool and summer programs.

BLOC supports and engages all youth, regardless of where they are on the continuum from high-risk to gifted. The program serves students at 3 community sites located in Little Haiti, North Miami, and Homestead neighborhoods. We recognize, however, the need to identify and respond to specific problems such as substance use, poor school attendance and low grades.

BLOC provides youth with homework assistance, critical life-skills such as anger management, communication, entrepreneurship, college planning, job coaching and fun field trips throughout the school year and summer. It is under our Positive Youth Development Pillar of Service.

Some examples of support may include core subject tutoring, SAT/ACT prep, and personalized learning techniques that empower participants to study at their own pace in and outside of the classroom.

Youth are taught that everyone is unique and stands out in their own special way. BLOC participants also learn different ways to deal with anger and how to build healthy relationships.

High school students attend Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3-6 p.m., and middle school students attend Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:00-6:30 p.m. Free transportation is available for qualifying students.