![The Board consists of Brian Braun, [Executive Director Brad Koogler], Bill Kress, Chairperson Marty McGuire, Frank Sanchez, Lisa La Monica, and Kevin Clarke, , and.](https://communitynewspapers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/20882679_1636250536394823_8288712469785833195_n-300x203.jpg)
Talk about a cram session! Safe Schools South Florida’s (SSSF) Board of Directors recently joined together at an intensive, all-day planning retreat, by taking advantage of a professional Non-Profit Board Practices Training program provided by CenterLink.
The group gathered to refresh its mission statement, its vision, to engage in exercises, and to make committee assignments as SSSF enters a new year of service and programs in the community it serves. The training was provided by Denise Spivak of CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers, based in Ft. Lauderdale.
The current slate consists of Co-Chairmembers Marty McGuire and Brian Braun; and Boardmembers Kevin Clarke, Bill Kress, Lisa La Monica, and Frank Sanchez. The Executive Director is Brad Koogler.
For 25 years, SSSF has been creating safer schools where all students can learn and thrive, regardless of real or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, their own or that of their parents/guardians.
Founder of SSSF, Robert E. Loupo Jr., is a former teacher and counselor who worked tirelessly to make lasting changes in support of LGBTQ students in South Florida after a personal experience as a young man 26 years ago during which he was brutally attacked on South Beach simply for being a gay.
That incident solidified Loupo’s commitment to raising awareness of the particular set of issues that GLBTQ youth are often forced to face in their daily lives and at school. And so it is because of his commitment to social change, SSSF today continues to work toward a goal where all LGBTQ youth can be safe in their schools and have the opportunity to fulfill the promise of who they are and what they are meant to achieve.
Special thanks were shared with the Lambda Living for making available their meeting space at “Rail 71,” a strip of uniquely designed industrial units straddling the train tracks in Miami’s Little River Business District at 7275 NE 4th Ave., Unit 110. Lambda Living is a Jewish Community Services program serving LGBT Seniors. For information about SSSF visit their website or call 305-576-2126.
