From teaching Zumba classes in the morning to feeding families in the afternoon, Martha Rodriguez is on a mission to make a difference.

Martha Rodriguez, YMCA volunteer: “The most important for me is give something significant in [my] life.”

And that’s exactly what she does as a volunteer at the YMCA in Allapattah.

The 67-year-old loves checking families in to La Bodega, a free food pantry at the Y, where she is known as Ms. Martika.

Martha Rodriguez: “It’s not only take the food and go. It’s take the food, teach something about the produce to give you what is good for your nutrition.”

Her career with the organization spans decades.

Martha Rodriguez: “This is my diploma.”

Back in the 1980s, Martha studied at the YMCA University in Mexico City.

Since then, she has been hired at nine YMCAs in Mexico and South Florida — working as a preschool teacher, swim instructor and camp advisor.

Martha Rodriguez: “Employee of the Year in 1995.”

That is one of the awards Martha received at the YMCA of Greater Miami. The first of many.

She worked at the Y in Little Havana, where Cuban immigrants could get help.

Martha Rodriguez: “For families that come into this country, and they don’t know nothing, they don’t have nothing. For these families who come in for the first time to this country, going to the YMCA, it’s like extend a family relationship.”

After that YMCA closed down, she started working in Allapattah.

Once the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Martha had to retire, but she couldn’t stay away.

She eventually came back as a volunteer.

Martha Rodriguez: “It’s a part of my life. It’s a part of my life for all the time.”

Martha has spent 40 years at the YMCA. That’s more than half of her life dedicated to helping people in need. And the staff here in Alappattah say she’s a gift that keeps on giving.

Emilia Solano, Allapattah YMCA: “She’s a member of the family. When you come in her presence, you know that she wants to help you in some way, and she’ll do whatever it takes to do that.”

Martha hopes to leave behind a legacy of hope and change.

Martha Rodriguez: “At the end of the day, we are human beings, human beings, and it doesn’t matter where you are coming from. Go to help somebody or give the change to somebody in their life.”

And everyone agrees, that is exactly what Martha inspires.

Karen Hensel, 7News.

If you know of a person, place or group that you think we should highlight, email us at 7spotlight@wsvn.com.

7’s Heather Walker introduces us to him in tonight’s 7Spotlight.

The man in the hat is TikTok star Victor Oliveira from Boston. In the hoodie, is Chuck Johnson. A 12-year-old from Fort Lauderdale.

The two met last month, when Chuck was selling candy on the side of the road.

Victor Oliveira: “I said, ‘Hey, Chuck. What are you selling candy for?’ And he said he was trying to get shoes for school. So that right there just it hit my heart.”

Victor Oliveira is known as the Good Boss on TikTok.

He has millions of followers and became famous for his videos helping homeless people get sober and off the street. But he says something about this teen caught his attention.

Victor Oliveira: “He’s not doing what most kids out there are doing, what I did myself. I made some stupid, you know, mistakes.”

Victor says he has been off drugs and alcohol for 12 years and now focuses on helping others. He took Chuck shopping for the shoes he wanted.

Victor is able to do shopping trips like this thanks to donations from his followers.

Heather Walker: “What were you thinking?”

Chuck Johnson/viral TikTok teen: “In my head, I was like, ‘He didn’t have to do all this for me.’ I was just selling a candy trying to help my mom out, and trying to buy some shoes.”

Chuck has seven brothers and sisters. He uses money from his candy sales to pay their expenses.

Even during his shopping spree, he was thinking of others.

Chuck Johnson: “Mom, you don’t need nothing from Walmart?”

Chuck’s Mom: “Well, not really, because he’s helping you.”

Victor Oliveira: “What is it that you need? You need some bread?”

Chuck’s mom: “Yes.”

Victor Oliveira: “OK, what kind of bread?”

Chuck’s mom: “Just any kind.”

Victor Oliveira: “Just any kind? OK, what else?”

Chuck’s mom: “That’s it, because you’re doing enough for my son.”

Victor Oliveira: “Are you sure? I’ll get you something else. Tell me what you need. Hot dogs?”

Chuck’s mom: “Yes.”

Victor Oliveira: “OK, some bread and hot dogs.”

Heather Walker: “You’re a very giving person, aren’t you? What makes you so giving?”

Chuck Johnson: “Because when, you give a lot of stuff away, it’s going to come back to you.”

And in fact, Chuck says he was trying to help some homeless people right before he met Victor.

Chuck Johnson: “I gave two people food and gave them $10 and then it came back to me.”

Victor and Chuck share this spirit of giving. But they don’t get to see each other often, so we helped arrange a surprise visit.

Heather Walker: “When are you going to see him again?”

Chuck Johnson: “I don’t know.

Victor Oliveira: “What’s up, Chuck?”

Chuck Johnson: “What’s up?”

Millions of people have liked the TikTok videos of Chuck and Victor.

Victor Oliveira: “You said that was the best day of your life?”

Chuck Johnson: “Yeah.”

Victor Oliveira : “What about now?”

Chuck Johnson: “This is the best, best best.”

Even better, a friendship that has gone viral for all the right reasons.

Heather Walker, 7News.

If you know of a person, place or group that you think we should highlight, email us at 7spotlight@wsvn.com.

7’s Heather Walker Investigates.

Rose, mail carrier: “Back up, back up, you better back up.”

Rose: “I didn’t feel safe at this point.”

Rose started recording the minute she felt threatened in North Miami.

She asked us not to use her last name for fear of retaliation after a normal day on the job turned violent on March 6.

Rose: “Two ladies came downstairs. No one is supposed to come and take their mail or package or anything outside of those boxes while we’re delivering.”

But one woman decided to grab a package.

When Rose asked for I.D. or her mailbox key, she says the woman went off.

Rose: “They cursed me out, she charged at me while I was recording her, she got upset. She struck me in my face. She punched me in my face. That’s when my instant reflex went to go block, hit her back. I did anything that I could to defend myself.”

The police were called. In the report, it says the woman identified as Alexandra Remolien “was the primary aggressor.”

She was charged with battery.

Rose: “I had bruises on my arm. Then I noticed, like, my whole body was aching. I didn’t sleep that night because I was traumatized.”

Just when Rose thought things couldn’t get worse she learned she was being suspended from work.

A letter from her manager says she was placed on an “off-duty non-pay status” for “willfully delaying mail” and was told she can’t return to work until she gives an “investigative interview,” which has yet to be scheduled.

Rose: “It is no investigation to go on. The lady was charged with battery, I feel like everybody is like, against me, like I did something wrong. So basically, what they’re trying to tell me that I should of just stayed there, stayed on the floor, let the lady hit on me, beat on me?”

The manager here at the North Miami Post Office declined to comment.

But a spokesperson with USPS tells us that if mail carriers are ever in an altercation, they should call police, which Rose did.

Rose: “I was just doing my job. The person who went and attacked me, they’re living their life. She’s out on bond right now and I’m out without a job and that’s not fair”

She says the Post Office needs to do more to protect their workers.

Rose: “We was not taught how to defend ourselves on the street. We were taught how to defend ourselves from dogs. I also want them to be more sincere about our feelings. No one called me to ask me how I’m doing. No one cared to see my bruises, to know that I’m traumatized. They just don’t care.”

But Rose cares. It has been more than a month since she has received a paycheck and she’s going to keep fighting for her job.

Heather Walker, 7News

CONTACT 7 INVESTIGATES:
305-627-CLUE
954-921-CLUE
7Investigates@wsvn.com

Batter up. The boys at Dade Christian School are making room for Chelsea and Chloe, the first females to ever play on the school’s junior varsity baseball team.

And they’re sisters.

Chelsea Bacallao, baseball player: “She motivates me to be better and stuff because I usually like making things as a competition.”

The two have been carrying a bat since they were young. They started playing softball at 6 and 7 years old and grew into star players.

So when Dade Christian didn’t have enough girls to form a softball team, the boys’ head coach saw an opportunity.

Jorge Molleda, head coach: “I saw them practicing, and I got on top of the dad to bring them to me to play. They play very well, so the boys are on their tippy toes the whole entire time. They’re ready to rock.”

The girls were eager to play, but they had to change up their game.

Chloe Bacallao: “I’m starting to get the hang of it. It’s different. The hitting is like way harder than you would see in softball. You’re gonna be running a lot ’cause the bases are, like, big.”

Dad was nervous about putting his daughters on a field full of boys, but the jitters quickly went away.

Jesse Bacallao, father: “My key was safety on their part. Having them go out for a practice and just seeing them, you know, with the boys. I was good. They’re able to hang, and they can take care of themselves out there. It’s definitely a proud moment for me in the family, watching them out there on the field.”

Chloe covers first and second base, while Chelsea plays shortstop, one of the toughest positions.

Jorge Molleda: “They’re fearless. Every time they step out there, they have something new to add to their game. They’re fast. They’re very aware. Their hand-eye coordination is great.”

When Chelsea and Chloe played their first game, the opposing team was shocked to see girls on the field.

But coaches at Dade Christian want to see more girls play.

Jorge Molleda: “We love the gender equality. Whoever wants to play baseball is more than welcome to play.”

The sisters are happy to show that girls can shine in softball and baseball.

Chelsea Bacallao: “That’s pretty cool. Like, that just proves that girls can do anything a boy can do.”

Chloe Bacallao: “You could do anything that you put your mind into.”

And the fact that they get to do it side by side is a home run.

Heather Walker, 7News.

If you know of a person, place or group that you think we should highlight, email us at 7spotlight@wsvn.com.

Heather Walker is taking their concerns to the county in tonight’s 7 Investigates.

Faith Davis has to get up at four a.m. just to get to work by nine.

Faith Davis/bus rider: “I have to take three busses, get up like two hours extra every day just to make sure I get to work on time. I have to carry my mace with me, you know, just to make sure that, you know, I don’t get hurt.”

Faith used to have to wake up at 7 a.m. before Miami-Dade County eliminated hundreds of bus stops in November as part of the “Better Bus Network” initiative.

Faith Davis: “It was just a big disaster.”

And she’s not the only one setting early alarms.

Maurice Byrd/bus rider: “I gotta get up an hour earlier now to go to work because the buses is much crowded and it ain’t too much room on the buses.”

Angry riders have reached out to 7 Investigates since we first looked into the issue.

Barbara Walters/transit activist: “When you’ve got a situation where we only had one bus to depend on and they’ve taken that away from us. I think there should have been more input from the riding public.”

Hundreds more are taking their complaints to Facebook. And the bus driver are feeling their frustration.

Jeffery Mitchell/president, Transport Workers Union Local: “It is kind of heartbreaking.”

The Transport Workers Union agrees with riders. The new system is not working. They say it was put in place by people who don’t take the bus.

Jeffery Mitchell: “The people that made the suggestions, you know, wasn’t invested in the community. Listen, who put this together?”

Union President Jeffrey Mitchell says he helped to correct some of the proposed routes before the Better Bus Network launched. But those changes were not enough.

Heather Walker: “What happened here? Because it was supposed to make things better but it seems its made things worse.”

Linda Morris/Miami-Dade Transit: “I wouldn’t say that, I would say that it’s still was always gonna be the Better Bus Network, not the best bus network.”

The county admits there are problems and it’s aware of the complaints.

Linda Morris: “We hear you, I know it’s been very frustrating.”

But it might get better.

Miami-Dade Transit telling 7 Investigates exclusively that 25 of the 70 routes will be getting schedule changes starting next month, which means some stops that were removed will be returning.

Linda Morris: “There’s obviously areas where we we didn’t do a good job, and we acknowledge that.”

Riders like Faith hope the new changes will make her commute easier.

Faith Davis: “We’re not asking for a big change, but bring back the busses that we really needed in our neighborhoods.”

And the county says it’s working to do that.

Heather Walker, 7News.

CONTACT 7 INVESTIGATES:
305-627-CLUE
954-921-CLUE
7Investigates@wsvn.com

Camille Harrison, Frederick Climpson’s mother: “We’ve told you all about his condition. Ma’am, he’s been traveling 42 miles for the last two months, OK?”

A mom is fed up with a Miami-Dade County Transportation service after things went sour when her paralyzed son needed a ride.

Camille Harrison: “It built up to a point where I was like, ‘OK, I’m done,’ because I’m frustrated.”

Camille Harrison is doing all she can to get her son Frederick back to the energetic teenager he once was. Back in September, a helmet-to-helmet hit at a Homestead Senior High School football game left him severely injured.

Frederick now needs a wheelchair. He relies on Miami-Dade County’s Special Transportation Service, or STS, to get him to his weekly physical therapy appointments.

The service, funded by tax dollars, allows county residents with disabilities to ride for $3.

Camille Harrison: “It’s a service that gets my son back and forth to his doctor’s appointments or anywhere he needs to go, if he needs to run errands or anything.

The ride to rehab is more than 40 miles from Frederick’s Florida City home.

Because of his spinal injury, he has to recline his chair throughout the day to keep his blood flowing, which means he has to ride in the front of the van to have enough space.

Camille Harrison: “The dispatcher told us that if we want those type of accommodations for him, that we have to let them know ahead of time.”

The family says they did call the county ahead of time. But things got heated on Feb. 6 when a driver put Frederick in the back.

Camille Harrison: “I said, ‘No, no, he don’t go to the back. I had made special accommodations for him in his notes.’ He called dispatch, and then he told me, ‘Oh, they’re going to send somebody else.’ I said, ‘No, if they send somebody else, he won’t make it in time to his appointment.'”

Camille recorded as her son was forced off the van.

Camille Harrison: “‘Get off, get off, ma’am. Get off.’ I said, ‘No, I’m not going anywhere. Call the police,’ and they was like, ‘If police dispatch you, you can lose – you can lose the service.'”

Frederick missed his appointment that day, and for the next three days, the van didn’t come to pick him up.

The Miami-Dade Transit website says it is responsible for “resolving riders’ concerns.”

But Camille says, after several calls to the county, nothing has been done.

Camille Harrison: “They need to retrain their workers. They need to teach them compassion.”

Frederick is now using a new transportation service paid through his insurance. But Camille hopes the county addresses problems like these because the transportation service is vital for so many.

Camille Harrison: “My son, he was like, ‘This how I’m going to be treated?’ Like, he already had a traumatic injury.”

Frederick has a long road ahead of him. He certainly didn’t need this transportation trouble.

Robbin Simmons, 7News.

The county told 7 Investigates that it does not have a record of Frederick’s family reaching out about his accommodation prior to the incident. They are reviewing what happened and say they will try to accommodate all reasonable requests from riders.

The county released the following statement to 7News:

We are aware of the incident involving Frederick Climpson and his mother on February 6, 2024, after requesting STS transportation services. We take all reports of service-related issues seriously and are committed to ensuring the safety and accessibility of our transportation services for all passengers, including those with special needs. 

Upon review of the incident, it has been determined that Frederick’s mother, the Primary Care Attendant (PCA), contacted the DTPW Paratransit call center on the day of the incident. Upon arrival of the STS vehicle at her home, Frederick’s mother expressed concerns regarding the seating arrangement for Frederick. According to her, he requires unique transportation accommodations due to his condition. Our staff provided guidance regarding the process for requesting reasonable accommodations and asked her to contact the DTPW ADA officer for further assistance.

Unfortunately, during this interaction, there was some misunderstanding, and the situation escalated, leading to delays in service for other STS clients. We understand that passengers may sometimes require accommodations beyond our standard procedure, and while we strive to accommodate all reasonable requests, there are instances where requests fall outside what is permissible and can inadvertently impact our riders. 

We encourage passengers who require special accommodations to become familiar with the County’s STS guidelines and policies and to proactively communicate their needs to our call center, allowing us to better assist them. Additionally, DTPW is committed to working closely with our service contractor to continue providing the highest level of service and customer experience.

We understand the frustration Frederick Climpson and his mother experienced and we regret any inconvenience caused. We remain dedicated to providing safe, reliable, and inclusive transportation services to all residents of Miami-Dade County. We will ensure that our team reviews this incident carefully to identify any areas for improvement and to prevent similar situations in the future.

Calvin Sykes
Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works

CONTACT 7 INVESTIGATES:
305-627-CLUE
954-921-CLUE
7Investigates@wsvn.com

Man on video: “You [expletive] better stop playing with me.”

This is the video that turned a fun night out with friends into a nightmare.

Shino Aguilera: “It’s definitely scary when the person on the video says, ‘Stop playing with me,’ and it shows an automatic weapon and loading it. Yeah, I got scared.”

Shino Aguilera was at an Art Basel event when his cellphone was stolen. He got a new phone and shut down the old one, which allowed him to keep his phone number.

But as soon as his new phone was activated, the messages from the thief started. Videos and text messages.

Shino Aguilera: “‘I’m going to kill you. I’m going to kill your mother. I know where you live. You live in Miami.'”

Another text said his “whole family will get slaughtered” and even threatened to “beat and rape” him.

Shino Aguilera: “It’s more now than losing your phone. It’s bullying, it’s threatening, it’s feeling unsafe.”

The crooks wanted the stolen phone unlocked. They sent messages to Shino telling him how to do it. They even texted him a message to pull at his heartstrings.

Shino Aguilera: “I got a message like, ‘Oh, I bought this in a secondhand store for my daughter, and now we can’t open it because it’s attached to your Cloud or whatever, please.’ Begging me and make me feel sorry.”

And Shino isn’t alone.

Other victims sent 7 Investigates messages they received after their phones were stolen. They were the exact same messages Shino got, even though their phones were stolen at different locations.

Officer Mike Vega, Miami Police Department: “Thank you for bringing it to our attention.”

7 Investigates reached out to Miami PD. The department tells us that we were the first to inform them of these threats, telling us that the fact that everyone received the same messages is a good indicator that, more than likely, these threats are false.

Officer Mike Vega: “So, most of these are fake messages. They’re trying to get you to get to the number, to get the information that they’re looking for. Maybe it’s a bank account, maybe it’s just to get access to a phone that they had already stolen from you. So it’s important that you do not give them any information.”

Police say, if you get one of these threats, screenshot or screen record the message and report it to police. After you document the threats, block the number.

Shino hopes telling his story will help the next person who finds themselves on the receiving end of these terrorizing texts.

Shino Aguilera: “You lose more than just a phone. This – a lot of these things that can affect your life.”

And he hopes the cellphone companies can come up with a way to make sure thieves can’t get your information from a stolen phone.

Heather Walker, 7News.

CONTACT 7 INVESTIGATES:
305-627-CLUE
954-921-CLUE
7Investigates@wsvn.com

A celebration after a selfless act saves a life. Months earlier, no one was sure this day would come.

Bruno Ferretti, received kidney donation: “‘OK, you need to go to the hospital immediately. Something’s very wrong with you.’ I was at that point, I was already at Stage 4 chronic kidney disease.”

Bruno first shared his story with us back in November. At 35, he was in the late stages of kidney disease, afraid he would not get to watch his son grow up.

But then his neighbor, Miami-Dade Firefighter Chris Staton, came to the rescue and offered to donate his kidney.

Chris Staton, donated kidney: “I love the guy. I love his wife. I love his kid. I could never live with myself if he had to do three years of dialysis and may never get a kidney. That’s just not a question.”

Chris and Bruno walked into the Cleveland Clinic side by side, and walked out after successful surgery.

Now, two months later, Bruno feels like a new man.

Bruno Ferretti: “I feel lighter. It’s almost like my blood was made of molasses before, and now it’s just normal. I was at the point where it was difficult, because I barely had the energy to stand up and hold up my son, whereas now, you know, I pick him up, I play with him.”

Which is exactly what Chris wanted.

Chris Staton: “He’s been in a very positive mood. He’s extremely happy.”

Bruno says he owes everything to his neighbor.

Bruno Ferretti: “Chris is our hero. He’s absolutely our hero. We could never thank him enough. We’re blood brothers now, literally.”

The one downside for Chris is that in order to save his neighbor, he had to use up all of his paid time off, not just for the surgery, but to recover.

Now, his mission is to change that.

Chris Staton: “So what we’re trying to do, anybody that is a employee of Dade County and they donate an organ, they’re not going to have to burn through all that time that they saved up. If that is no longer in the back of your mind, that you’re going to lose all the time that you’ve worked for, it makes that decision to donate and save somebody’s life a lot easier.”

His proposal is on Mayor Daniella Levine Cava’s desk.

Meanwhile, Bruno wants everyone to be aware how dangerous kidney disease can be.

Bruno Ferretti: “They say that high blood pressure causes kidney failure, and kidney failure causes high blood pressure. So, if by some chance, you know, anyone out there who might have hypertension or might have kidney issues, make sure that you speak to a nephrologist and not, you know, just your general normal doctor or anything like that.”

Thankfully, Bruno had the right doctor and the very best neighbor.

Heather Walker, 7News.

If you know of a person, place or group that you think we should highlight, email us at 7spotlight@wsvn.com

Home sweet home!

Matthew Pigatt: “It’s great. I’m so happy to be home. It is awesome. We’re able to have space to play, to eat. It’s in a welcoming community.”

It’s all smiles in Matthew Pigatt’s house. He was able to afford a house in Miami Gardens that’s big enough for his family of four without leaving South Florida.

Matthew Pigatt: “We were looking for further north in Central Florida and also in Georgia. Not only do you have the housing prices going up, you have interest rates going up and also the insurance costs.”

Their story is like many others here. Surging home prices have people thinking about leaving the Sunshine State, but Matthew found help in Miami-Dade that’s made his dream of a bigger home possible.

Zachary Rinkins, Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust: “The Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust Homeownership Assistance Program has a simple message for the residents out here in Miami-Dade County: your home ownership dreams are possible.”

The Homeownership Assistance Program is helping low-to-moderate income residents buy a home in Miami-Dade County, giving people a zero-interest loan of up to $28,500 that can be used toward a down payment and closing costs, making it easier to qualify for a mortgage.

Zachary Rinkins: “This program makes the dream of home ownership possible for a lot of people. You can use this resource and stack it with other grants to make your home purchase cheaper. You can also leverage it to make your financing cheaper, so it makes you have smaller payments for your mortgage.”

More than 8,000 people have purchased a home through this program in Miami-Dade County. In addition to help with the loan, there’s also a support system to help you through the process.

Zachary Rinkins: “Once you come to our program, you have to be connected to a Housing and Urban Development certified counseling agency. The people that were connected to the support systems were more likely to be aware of that funding and apply for that funding and keep their homes.”

That support system helped Matthew navigate through his home-buying process.

Matthew Pigatt: “It was a very welcoming process. The staff there is amazing, and I encourage anyone to take full advantage of the program, because the resources are there for you.”

Resources that can make the American dream of home ownership become a reality for you.

Heather Walker, 7News.

To find out if you qualify for the homeownership assistance program, click here.

If you know of a person, place or group that you think we should highlight, email us at 7spotlight@wsvn.com.

James Haddad, condo owner: “To your left is #20, and to your right is #21.”

Now boarded up and fenced in, it’s a building James Haddad cherished for 21 years of his life.

James Haddad: “There’s a lot of memories here. I raised my 23-year-old kid here.”

He owns two units at the Villa Bianca Condominium in Coral Springs. But back in 2021, he and other residents were forced to pick up and leave.

James Haddad: “The city came in, and they said, ‘You didn’t fix the roof, we gave you two years, therefore we’re kicking everybody out.'”

Since then, Haddad has been moving from place to place and forced to spend some nights in his car.

James Haddad: “I wouldn’t call myself homeless, but I would say I was pretty close to it. It’s like a nightmare.”

The building’s owners did try to repair the roof.

James Haddad: “We had a plan. The roofing company wanted 10% just to get started. Everybody gave me checks but the one person.”

They attempted to get a loan for the total cost of the roof, but couldn’t, and that was the last straw for city officials.

James Haddad: “The city is talking demolition and has voted unanimously to demolish the building.”

Haddad and the other owners hoped they could recoup some of their investments by selling the building before it was torn down.

James Haddad: “‘We demolish it, and you walk out with nothing.’ That’s 20 years of payments I made.”

So they hired realtor Holly Iannucci. She found buyers who were interested but hit a wall with the city.

Holly Iannucci: “A buyer can’t close on a property that’s going to be demolished. The city has been unresponsive and just continues to say that we’ve already passed the appeal deadline, and there’s nothing that they can do.”

7 Investigates reached out to the city. They tell us they gave the building three extensions through the Unsafe Structures Board, and since the condo failed to make the changes within the time frame , the city says it is moving forward with tearing down the building.

Still, the owners are hoping for a last-minute resolution.

Holly Iannucci: “These are hardworking, middle class Americans. I would just ask that the City of Coral Springs have compassion for the owners and just give us a limited window to stop the demolition and close. We only need about two weeks. That’s all we’re asking for.”

James is not sure how he will support himself if the building is demolished. But Holly says she’s not done fighting.

Heather Walker 7News.

CONTACT 7 INVESTIGATES:
305-627-CLUE
954-921-CLUE
7Investigates@wsvn.com

Fitness and friendship. They are top of mind for these women who are leaving tracks throughout Fort Lauderdale.

Runsi Patro, co-founder, Pretty Girls Who Walk: “A lot of the girls are also new to Fort Lauderdale. A lot of the girls work from home, so they’ve also looked at the walk as a way to get outside and make friends.”

Almost every Saturday, members of Pretty Girls Who Walk lace up to get in their miles.

Jenna Rappaport and Runsi Patro started the group in 2022.

Jenna Rappaport, co-founder, Pretty Girls Who Walk: “I live here in downtown Fort Lauderdale. I work from home as well. The only thing I could do during the COVID time was go on walks.”

Runsi Patro: “When I first moved down here, which was a year ago, it was a new city. I didn’t know anyone here.”

At the time, they didn’t know each other, but they had the same idea.

Jenna Rappaport: “I was like, ‘How fun! If I had a group of girls that had like-minded interests as going on walks.'”

They both reached out to a walking group in Miami, hoping the organizer would start one in Fort Lauderdale.

Instead, the organizer put them in contact with each other, and they decided to start the group themselves.

Runsi Patro: “Our first walk was about five to 10 girls. We kept going every week, you know, we were like, ‘You know, eventually it’s going to grow,’ and it consistently started growing.”

As more and more people discovered their Instagram page, the number of walkers grew.

At one point, 150 women showed up to participate.

Runsi Patro: “I didn’t know Jenna before this, and she’s one of my best friends now because of this walk. Like, I met her through this walk, just like a lot of other women that I’ve met through the walk.”

In addition to providing exercise and companionship, the walk has also been a great way to discover new businesses in Fort Lauderdale.

Jenna Rappaport: “We’re growing, and we’re also showing different girls different opportunities to try new restaurants, try new bars, try new coffee shops that, you know, a lot of these girls have no idea about, even me.”

Some of the women say the walk has pulled them off their couch and into a supportive community.

Jamielet Reynoso, participant: “For myself, it’s about being active and trying to get, you know, my body moving. Also meeting new friends and networking.”

Andrea Linhares, participant: “We’ll go to the walk together, and then we’ll maybe stay later on at that same place that we’re collaborating at, the same business, or we’ll go get some food after. We’ll make plans, like, it’s really a great place to meet friends.”

A group of women making strides toward good health and good friendships, all at the same time.

Pretty Girls Who Walk will host their next event Saturday morning.

If you want to know more of when the next girl’s walk is, check out their Instagram page.

Lynn Martinez, 7News.

If you know of a person, place or group that you think we should highlight, email us at 7spotlight@wsvn.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
prettygirlswhowalk

The inmate has been here at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in West Miami-Dade for nearly two years. She should not have intimate contact with any man, but right now, she is now three months pregnant.

Having a relative behind bars is never easy. Crystal Bareto’s sister, Daisy Link, is an inmate at TGK.

Daisy recently called with disturbing news.

Crystal Bareto, Daisy’s sister: “She called us and told us that she had been sexually assaulted and that she was three months pregnant.”

The 28-year-old is locked on a charge of second-degree murder. She has been held at TGK with no bond since the summer of 2022.

Crystal Bareto, Daisy’s sister: “With all the things that are happening in there, we’re really, really scared for her life.”

Crystal filed a complaint with Miami-Dade Corrections. She says she was told there would be an investigation and not to reach out to the media.

Crystal Bareto, Daisy’s sister: “They are too worried about us going to the media, rather than trying to figure out how this happened to my sister, trying to protect her and take care of her.”

In a statement to 7 Investigates, Miami-Dade Corrections spokesperson Juan Diasgranados writes, “The inmate’s pregnancy was confirmed.”

However, Diasgranados writes, “There is no evidence of sexual battery on the inmate and the circumstances surrounding the pregnancy are under investigation.”

Crystal Bareto, Daisy’s sister: “She ended up pregnant under their watch. This should never happen. This is – this is horrifying.”

A source tells 7 Investigates that Daisy told jail investigators she impregnated herself with sperm passed to her from a male inmate.

But the family says Daisy told them she was ordered by guards to say that, which is why the family is asking the jail to find the father.

Crystal Bareto, Daisy’s sister: “Like, what next is gonna happen? We’re just really scared.”

Miami-Dade Corrections confirms that Daisy was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital to be checked out but was not given a rape kit.

Now the big question remains: how exactly did Daisy get pregnant behind bars?

Crystal Bareto, Daisy’s sister: “I feel like TGK needs to be investigated. This is absurd. This should not happen in a jail.”

But somehow it did, and once the baby is born, Daisy’s family is hoping they are granted custody.

The family said they have spoken with an investigator with Miami-Dade Corrections, and they are hoping to get some answers soon.

CONTACT 7 INVESTIGATES:
305-627-CLUE
954-921-CLUE
7Investigates@wsvn.com

Karen Hensel has tonight’s 7 Investigates.

Maria Rivera/facing eviction: “I’m afraid that she falls, and nobody’s here.”

This is the condo Maria Rivera has called home for the past three years. It is where she lives with and cares for her elderly mother who is disabled.

Maria Rivera: “On a daily basis, I prepare her meals and leave them because she can’t go around to cook. I’m afraid she’ll burn something or burn herself.”

At 66 years old, Maria works long shifts at a dental office, and makes just enough to make sure her $2,000 rent is paid each month.

But now, she’s afraid she will lose her home.

Maria Rivera: “I received an eviction notice.”

Taped to her door in November, a notice to leave.

Maria says she’s being evicted because her landlord is in a fight with the homeowners association over assessments.

Maria Rivera: “There’s an issue with them and my landlord that started last year, because they’re billing him for almost $30,000 for that.”

Maria’s landlord is suing the association over the special assessment.

Until there’s a court ruling, the condo board says Maria has to pay her rent to them, but the landlord then moved to evict her for unpaid rent.

Maria Rivera: “They’re gonna cause me to be thrown in the street and I don’t know where we’re gonna go.”

Under Florida law, the association can require tenants to pay their rent to the board. The law also says as long as those rent payments are made, the tenant cannot be evicted.

But in Maria’s case, the association’s lawyer sent her this letter demanding she pay $1,595 to them, even though she was paying the landlord $2,000.

Salome Zikakis/real estate attorney: “If she had paid him the $400 or paid it all to the association, with a notation that any difference goes to the landlord, then she’d be OK.”

We reached out to Maria’s landlord but he never responded.

Maria said he told her if she paid his $2,000 legal fees and the remaining rent. she would not be evicted.

And then on Tuesday, Maria told us she was fired from her job after taking time to deal with this rental mess.

Maria Rivera: “Beware. This is happening. This is happening to a lot of people and this has to be stopped.”

Lawyers say if you are renting a condo, it’s a good idea to ask for a copy of their rules and bylaws.

Meantime, Maria is looking for a new job and once she gets one, will work out a payment plan with her landlord.

Karen Hensel, 7News

CONTACT 7 INVESTIGATES:
305-627-CLUE
954-921-CLUE
7Investigates@wsvn.com

Love, prayers and support. That is what has surrounded 15-year-old Frederick Clemson since Sept. 13. The day his life changed forever.

Camille Harrison, Frederick’s mother: “It’s been hard, but my faith has kept me together.”

It was Frederick’s first game on the junior varsity football team, and in the third quarter, he took a hit that paralyzed him.

Camille Harrison: “I’ve been by his side from the beginning. I haven’t left this side. I’ve tried to stay strong for him.”

Teammates and loved ones have all shown overwhelming support.

But an unexpected visitor might have been one of the people who helped Frederick the most.

Felton Brown knows Frederick’s pain.

Felton Brown, helping Frederick: “So back in October of 1998, I was an outstanding athlete, and I took a hit, and I hit the ground, and instantly I lost sensation throughout my entire body.”

Doctors told Felton he would never be able to move from the neck down, but with the help of therapy, he now has movement in parts of his upper body.

Felton Brown: “It’s a mirror story, right? It’s a reflection of my own self. He’s 15, I was 15. He was a star athlete, I was a star athlete.”

Frederick has gone through two successful surgeries. As he now starts physical therapy, his mom says Felton’s inspiration has been a turning point.

Camille Harrison: “Frederick was, like, a little down, but when [Felton] came, his mood started to change, and he started to do a little better in rehab.”

Felton Brown: “I wanted to show him and give him something to look forward to, because I knew in that moment that he had lost it all.”

Frederick has a long and difficult road ahead of him, but with his mom, Felton and the community beside him, he says he is never giving up.

Frederick Climpson: “I want to let them know I’m alright. My family, everything’s been straight. No problems, no nothing like that. You see I’m getting better, I’m smiling. I didn’t think i was going to smile, but I’m smiling.”

And that smile has a lot to do with those who continue to cheer him on.

He was visited by his favorite football players, Miami Dolphins’ players Xavien Howard and Jaylen Waddle.

They both gave him a signed helmet, and Xavien has kept in touch.

The widespread show of solidarity has meant everything to this family.

Camille Harrison: “I just want to say thank you to everybody who’s been there, who supported us.”

Felton says the support of South Florida was also what helped him overcome his injury. Now it is his turn to pay it forward.

Felton Brown: “I would love to see our community come together like none other for Frederick, to cheer him on the same way they cheered me on.”

Frederick Climpson: “Yeah, I’m gonna keep fighting.”

Family and friends will be right there fighting with him.

Karen Hensel, 7News.

Frederick’s family has created a GoFundMe to help cover medical bills.

If you know of a person, place or group that you think we should highlight, email us at 7spotlight@wsvn.com.

Karen Hensel has tonight’s 7 Investigates.

She shares a name with an icon; Barbara Walters.

Barbara Walters/transit activist: “I’m not a ghost.”

This Barbara Walters says she may not be known for hard-hitting interviews, but she is known for something.

Barbara Walters: “I have not owned a car in about 30 years. I’ve become a very strong advocate for public transportation. I can really say it’s my contribution to the environment.”

But changes in the Miami-Dade bus system have created a huge bump in the road for Barbara.

Barbara Walters: “I went to the bus stop and I see the sign on the bus that as of the 13th of November, no more bus service at that area.”

The county rolled out its “Better Bus Network” in November.

At least 1,200 bus stops were eliminated.

Barbara’s usual stop, which was just a few blocks away from her Kendall home, was one of them.

Now, her closest bus stop is more than a 30-minute walk, and at 79 years old, that walk every day would be impossible.

Barbara Walters: “It’s like, wait a minute, I’m going to walk 22 blocks or pay $7 to take Lyft from 97th and 88th home?”

So she turned to “Metro Connect,” the county’s on-demand ride service. It is supposed to pick you up and get you to your bus station.

But actually getting a ride, has not been easy.

Barbara Walters: “Then it says we’re currently experiencing very high volume, all our seats are filled, please try again. What the?”

So she called once.

Barbara Walters: “So, 10:12? OK.”

Twice.

Barbara Walters: “So you’re telling me, what did you say, 10:36?”

And finally, her ride showed up.

Barbara Walters: “Metro Connect cannot meet the demands.”

The goal of the Better Bus Network was to improve access and wait times for riders. But 7 Investigates found many who say it has created big problems for them.

Rhett Ennis/bus rider: “It hasn’t been a better system. It’s been worse.”

Maurice Byrd/bus rider: “I gotta get up an hour earlier now to go to work because the buses is much crowded and it ain’t too much room on the buses.”

Emily Norton: “Some stops have made it a little bit harder for me to get to work on time and stuff because they changed the bus stops.”

Miami-Dade Transit tells us they “…anticipated some confusion and frustration among riders, and it is completely understandable.”

But when we specifically asked about complaints of bus stops being too far away and Metro Connect cars not being available, they did not answer our questions.

Barbara Walters: “When you’ve got a situation where we only had one bus to depend on and they’ve taken that away from us. I think there should have been more input from the riding public.”

The county continues to meet with the community about the new system, but tells us no changes will be made until next April.

Barbara Walters says they are not done hearing from her.

Karen Hensel 7News.

CONTACT 7 INVESTIGATES:
305-627-CLUE
954-921-CLUE
7Investigates@wsvn.com

Karen Hensel has tonight’s 7 Investigates

Welcome to Nigeria, scamming capital of the world and a place where many residents learn to rip people off just to survive.

Chris Maxwell/former Nigerian scammer: “My first year in the university was kind of tough. So I needed to make money for myself. You know, my parents really were not making enough money.”

Chris Maxwell is a former scammer who spoke to us from his home in Nigeria.

Chris Maxwell: “It’s difficult for me to get clothes for myself, to eat, you know.”

At least 65% of Nigerians live in poverty.

To make money, Chris learned to scam women who were looking for love, and he followed this 39 page guide to find his victims.

But he has since changed his life. Going from criminal to consultant for the website Social Catfish to check if profiles or products are real or fake.

Chris Maxwell: “I felt so pitiful.”

This holiday season, He’s using his expertise to warn shoppers.

Chris Maxwell: “This time of the year, it’s a very, it’s a very good time for scammers to make money.”

And there’s good reason for South Floridians to listen up. When it comes to holiday scams, Florida ranks second highest in the country. A recent survey found one in three online shoppers was scammed out of an average of $400 each.

When shopping online, be on the lookout for knockoff websites.

Chris Maxwell: “The scammer has his own website. It’s going to look like a real one. It’s going to look like Amazon. When you purchase products and you make the payment, then you’re not going to receive the product. You’re never gonna receive your package.”

When shopping online, make sure the web address of the store is spelled correctly and never pay extra once you think the item has been shipped.

Chris Maxwell: “There is shipment scams where they tell you you are expecting a shipment and you have to pay for clearance.”

So never follow an email link about shipping problems. Instead, log on to official sites like UPS, FedEx or the postal service to enter your tracking number manually to check on your packages.

Chris Maxwell: “This time of the year, you know, they do everything they can because money’s gonna go in, money’s gonna come out. Every single opportunity they’re gonna take your money.”

Chris’ biggest tip is to shop smart and not take any risks.

Chris Maxwell: “My best advice for people is this time of the year, if you’re gonna shop, make sure you buy from online shops that you know, trusted. If it’s saying the prices are too high, you can just go to the store and get everything you need by yourself.”

Chris is hoping his expertise as a reformed scammer will help Florida families have a happy holiday.

Karen Hensel, 7News.

CONTACT 7 INVESTIGATES:
305-627-CLUE
954-921-CLUE
7Investigates@wsvn.com

For Bruno Ferretti, family is the light of his life, but a few months ago, he feared his time with them was running out.

Bruno Ferretti, diagnosed with chronic kidney disease: “I was actually speaking to a dermatologist. He recommended, ‘Hey, let’s just get some quick blood work.’ Two weeks later, he calls me, and he leaves me a voice message, and he’s like, ‘Hey, you need to go to the hospital immediately. Something’s very wrong with you.'”

At 35 years old, Bruno was diagnosed with Stage 4 chronic kidney disease.

Bruno Ferretti: “Mine were so far gone that by the time that I found out, my only two options were going to be dialysis for the rest of my life or a transplant.”

Bruno has hypertension, which is one of the most common causes of chronic kidney failure. His kidneys went from functioning at 36% to just 7%.

When he was diagnosed, his wife was six months pregnant with their first child.

Bruno Ferretti: “Am I going to be OK, and is my wife going to raise a child without a father?”

But their neighbor, Chris Staton, refused to let that fear become their future.

Chris Staton, donating kidney: “He put it out there that, Hey, if anybody wants to donate,’ and by the time he said that, I was already on the website registering.”

Chris has saved lives on the front lines as a Miami-Dade County firefighter. He did not think twice about donating his kidney to save Bruno.

Chris Staton: “I love the guy. I love his wife, I love his kid, and I could never live with myself if he had to do three years of dialysis and may never get a kidney. That’s just not a question.”

After some grueling tests, screenings and evaluations, Bruno got the news he needed.

Bruno Ferretti: “One in a 100,000 chance. He was a perfect match.”

Arlette Cartaya: “Every time that I think about it, there’s no words to say how grateful I am for what he’s done and how he stepped up. There’s no way to repay him.”

Bruno could have spent the next three to five years waiting for a kidney. But in just a matter of weeks, Chris will give him a lifeline, here at Cleveland Clinic.

Chris Staton: “I never thought twice about it. I was proud to be the one that’s giving it to him.”

And Bruno will be forever grateful to Chris for saving his life.

Bruno Ferretti: “One of the things that he told me is, the most important thing to him was seeing his children grow up, and he told me, ‘I want you to share these things that I’ve been able to see with my children.'”

He hopes to use this experience to spread awareness about chronic kidney disease.

Bruno Ferretti: “Get your blood work done every six months. There were not a lot of signs. I did have a cardiologist. I would see him regularly. They never caught it.”

Now, Chris is not just a firefighter, or Bruno’s neighbor. He’s the man who’s giving Bruno’s family a brighter future.

Karen Hensel, 7News.

Since Chris Staton is the sole provider for his family, a GoFundMe page was created ahead of his surgery that is expected to keep him away from work for two months. Click here if you would like to donate.

If you know of a person, place or group that you think we should highlight, email us at 7spotlight@wsvn.com

The golden years. That is what 82-year-old Gustavo Medrano and his wife were looking forward to when they moved to Century Village in Pembroke Pines two years ago.

Gustavo Medrano: “I came here to relax. These are the last days of my life. I don’t know how long I’m going to be here.”

But golden is not how he would describe his life now. He’s afraid his money will run out because of increases in his monthly condo fees.

Gustavo Medrano: “They want to charge us $200 increase, supposedly because of the insurance companies.”

Like many seniors, Gustavo lives on Social Security, and the $200 monthly increase is stretching his limited budget.

Gustavo Medrano: “I’m thinking all the time, ‘What am I going to do? I am going to the end of the money that I’m getting.'”

Rising rent forced James Blair and his wife out of their Miami apartment. The challenge was finding an affordable place to go.

James Blair: “You call the government or all of these places, and they got a year to five-year waiting list. Some of them want you to pay an app fee up front, and you’re still looking at one or two years to wait. Well, hell, you could die before you got in, right?”

He finally found an apartment that is less expensive but a lot smaller.

James Blair: “We’ll be divesting ourselves of a lot of things just to have a place to live.”

Many seniors are finding their incomes are not keeping up with rising housing costs.

Max Rothman, Alliance For Aging: “The percentage of income that an older person — and they’re on fixed income — is spending on housing, is well over 30% of their income.”

Seventy-two-year-old Robert Noel Earl knows that firsthand. He was forced to live on the streets of Broward County for nearly three months.

Robert Noel Earl, formerly homeless: “I was nervous, scared. I fought the rain, the bugs.”

His Social Security benefits were enough to buy food. But a place to live was out of reach.

Robert Noel Earl: “They told me the rent is $1,000 or better. I said, ‘I’m not going to be able to stand that,’ because I wasn’t making that much.”

So he camped out on the front lawn of this soup kitchen. And he’s not alone.

Seniors make up at least 15% of Broward’s homeless population. In Miami-Dade, they are at least 20%.

Jacob Torner, TaskForce Fore Ending Homelessness: “Not only are we seeing a rise in the age of people who are experiencing homelessness, but we’re seeing more and more seniors fall into homelessness, specifically here in Broward County.”

The TaskForce Fore Ending Homelessness was able to find a place for Robert to live.

But all of the agencies across South Florida that are designed to help seniors are being burdened by the sheer number of people who are in crisis.

Max Rothman: “Housing doesn’t turn up overnight. It’s a slow process, and some people are facing eviction tomorrow.”

It is a sad and frightening reality for so many. The skyrocketing cost of housing has many thinking South Florida is no longer an affordable place to live, and that paradise truly is lost.

Karen Hensel, 7News.

They are all Black, all women, and they are all top cops — a triple combo that puts Miami-Dade County on the map.

But who are the powerful women behind the badges? We sat down with three of them.

Karen Hensel: “I’m curious, have you guys all met?”

Interim Director Stephanie Daniels, Miami-Dade Police: “Oh, yeah, we are very good friends.”

Meet Chief Cherise Gause of the North Miami Police Department.

Karen Hensel: “So you’re the first Haitian American chief. In the country?”

Chief Cherise Gause: “Yes, so we’re told, yes.”

Chief Gause started her career as a dispatcher with the city of Miami.

Chief Harvette Smith started as a secretary in the 90’s at the North Miami Beach Police Department, where she is now the first Black chief.

Chief Harvette Smith, North Miami Beach Police: “When I originally got sworn in as a police officer, I did say that I wanted to be the first female chief of North Miami Beach Department.”

Chief Cherise Gause: “Nice.”

Stephanie Daniels is the interim director of the Miami-Dade Police Department.

Interim Director Stephanie Daniels: “I did not aspire to become the chief of police for any agency, let alone Miami-Dade Police Department.”

Each of them started at the bottom … and now have hundreds of officers under their command.

But getting there was not easy.

Interim Director Stephanie Daniels: “No matter what rank I had, up until a couple of years ago, I still had to fight for my voice, even by sitting at the table.”

Chief Cherise Gause: “I think there’s always going to be, for women, proving yourself, making sure that people understand why you’re here.”

Across the country, women only make up 12% of law enforcement, and only 3% are in leadership.

Director Daniels created a mentoring group where women help women.

Interim Director Stephanie Daniels: “We text each other, ‘Hey, we’ve got this event, come out,’ you know, so we get a table, we go, we mentor.”

Daniels was thrust into her role on the heels of tragedy. She was named interim director days after former Director Freddy Ramirez attempted suicide.

Karen Hensel: “I’m sure that’s not how you wanted to become chief.”

Interim Director Stephanie Daniels: “I knew I wanted to be in a high-ranking position within the department, but I’d never thought I would be the interim director.”

Karen Hensel: “As a mom, what did you miss out on?”

Chief Harvette Smith: “For my family, Sundays are a big thing. Everyone is at my mom’s house, and I always remember my daughter saying, ‘Mom, you’re never there. Everyone else’s mom is there. You’re not there.'”

Interim Director Stephanie Daniels: “Holidays, games, graduations.”

Chief Cherise Gause: “These positions come at a cost and that sacrifice. Sometimes it’s the family.”

Karen Hensel: “How do you guys make sure, when you walk in the door, that you’re Mom and you’re not chief?”

Interim Director Stephanie Daniels: “When we walk in that door, it is definitely – it’s us.”

Chief Cherise Gause: “I head right to the kitchen, and I’ll start things, and I’ll run upstairs and change. That’s a part of balancing.”

Each of them have made painful sacrifices, but it’s all part of the change they want to make.

Chief Harvette Smith: “We’re faced with doing law enforcement differently. The culture has changed.”

Chief Cherise Gause: “I want to make sure that my son, who is a Black male, or my brother can go out comfortably into the community and not have a fear of police.”

Karen Hensel: “You’re all Black, you’re all women, you’re all chiefs. What does that mean to you personally, but also to your profession?”

Interim Director Stephanie Daniels: “No matter where you come from, what you got going on today, doesn’t have to be your reality 20 years from now.”

Chief Cherise Gause: “It’s not always easy, but I think it sends a message of hope that you, too, can achieve these levels of leadership.”

Chief Harvette Smith: “It lets the little girls, Black and brown like us, know that you can achieve anything. The sky’s the limit.”

And all three women are proof of that.

Karen Hensel, 7News.

7’s Karen Hensel has today’s 7 Spotlight.

These mats were made to foster fierce martial artists. But more than that, they’re fostering hope.

Michael Fernandez/owner of First Order of Jiu-Jitsu: “The reason we opened up is to be different, and for a group that society doesn’t really touch much on. We have the Just Us Two program, a program that’s designed for kids on the spectrum.”

Friday nights at First Order of Jiu-Jitsu in Miami are filled with hands-on training specifically for children and teens with special needs.

Michael Fernandez: “So some of them don’t have motor skills, fine motor skills, and just holding a gi, holding somebody, holding somebody down, carrying somebody, it’s working the total body.”

But parents aren’t allowed to just drop-off and go. They’re required to hit the mat with their children.

Michael Fernandez: “This gives the parents one hour to really work with their child, get to know their child from all angles. It’s an hour for you and your child with no interruptions.”

Michael and his wife Christine opened First Order of Jiu-Jitsu in 2016. Together, they have years of experience in martial arts and working with special needs children.

Michael Fernandez: “It’s not just me that runs this. My wife helps, all the parents help. We integrate ourselves with all the students and that is what makes this place. I’m just one person.”

Between hours of school and therapy, parents say that one class with their children is priceless and they’ve found a family like no other.

Angely Angel: “We’re constantly looking at our kids behind a screen on an iPad, but we’re not engaging with our kids. And a lot of the time we feel like we’re losing time with our children because we want them to have these therapies.”

Through the program, parents have seen their children open up in ways they never imagined possible.

Charlie Weiss: “I’ve seen his confidence, I mean, skyrocket. He’s now involved in whitewater rafting, soccer, swimming, he does it all. And I really do attribute this program for giving him the confidence to do those type of things.”

For these families, it’s more than a dojo.

Angely Angel: “He’s given us a place for us to be able to have a home, and so, it’s been spectacular.”

This is a community where children can build confidence, strength and bright future.

Karen Hensel, 7News.

If you know of a person, place or group that you think we should highlight, email us at 7spotlight@wsvn.com.

More Information:
First Order of Jiu-Jitsu

Ada Gonzalez’s top priority is the success of her students.

Ada Gonzalez, principal, Cambridge International Academy: “The parents and the children, they’re not just our students. They’re our family.”

She’s the principal of Cambridge International Academy in Pembroke Pines.

But the school nearly closed when money from the state’s school voucher program never came.

Ada Gonzalez: “It was a moment of total panic.”

That’s when the school’s owner stepped in.

Ada Gonzalez: “She had to take from her own, reach into her pocket, basically, to be able to meet payroll and max out credit cards. She’s also had to take out two high-interest loans.”

This private school isn’t the only one struggling.

Tasha Hill, director, Cutler Bay Christian Academy: “We’re finding ourselves in a bad situation. We have to explain to our employees, ‘OK. Hey, be patient. Can you wait? Can I give you a check next week?’ It’s an embarrassing situation what’s going on now.”

Cambridge International Academy and Cutler Bay Christian Academy are two of at least 2,000 private schools in Florida that are funded through Step Up for Students. The nonprofit organization is contracted by the state to distribute scholarship money that comes from state taxes and donations.

The payments are supposed to be distributed to schools quarterly, beginning no later than Sept. 1.

Tasha Hill: “In the past, we never had a issue. Funds were always on time. You can depend on it.”

Why is this school year different?

Back in March, Gov. Ron DeSantis expanded the state’s school voucher program to include all students, no matter their family income.

In a statement to 7News, the Florida Department of Education says, “A record number of Florida families have applied to take part in the expanded state scholarship program.”

But that record number is taking its toll.

Ada Gonzalez: “I feel helpless, because you call and there’s no resolution. You know, you call, you email, they tell you, ‘No, you have to email here.'”

And parents are concerned that if funds continue to trickle in little by little, some schools could close.

Jessica Jones, parent: “It’s extremely stressful, because I don’t have anywhere else to send my child. That’s just the truth: there are no other options.”

Jessica, the mother of a kindergartner with autism, says her son’s future could be jeopardized.

Jessica Jones: “I had such a struggle to find this school, so I would have to start from square one.”

Ada Gonzalez: “We’re just hopeful that it’s not going to happen again. But who knows. If we were to have to close, it would be devastating.”

Dedicated teachers continue to work at the Cambridge International Academy as they wait for the remaining funding to come in. But clearly, something needs to be done to keep these schools on course.

Karen Hensel, 7News.

CONTACT 7 INVESTIGATES:
305-627-CLUE
954-921-CLUE
7Investigates@wsvn.com

They are soldiers clad in camouflage, serving their country with discipline, determination, and … rap?

Kervens Jackson, Piper High School band director: “A rapper in the Army? Is that real?”

It is now. Meet Staff Sgt. Lamar Riddick, an artist who rhymed his way into the ranks of the Army and hails from South Florida.

Lamar Riddick, U.S. Army Field Band rapper: “It’s so amazing to do this full time and to serve the country.”

Since 1946, the Army Field Band has allowed soldiers to serve their country through song.

Now, for the first time ever, they’re bringing hip-hop to the center stage.

Lamar Riddick: “It didn’t dawn on us until, I think, after we got the job that we were the first in military history.”

Riddick was a Christian rapper before joining the Army.

Lamar Riddick: “I’m definitely a believer. At the end of the day, my goal is to revive the culture and encourage people to be all they can be.”

He saw an opportunity to do that on a bigger scale, in the U.S. Army, auditioning for the field band in 2021.

He has performed on national TV and worldwide.

Lamar Riddick: “I think the world heard us when we went over there. The impact of bringing rap music in a place that hasn’t had rap music in that particular event, around all NATO alliances, that still feels like a fairy tale.”

Now a staff sergeant, Lamar Riddick got his start and made his mark at Piper High School in Sunrise. This is where his musical talents took off.

Kervens Jackson: “He’s right here.”

And his picture still hangs in the band room where he first met school band director Kervens Jackson.

Kervens Jackson: “I was really in shock because someone just – when you meet someone, you don’t just kind of give them a hug, but he just gave me a hug, and from there, I knew he was someone that’s very special. I think that’s one thing about him, his determination to be great in everything that he does.”

Lamar played the Scarecrow in his school performance of “The Wiz.”

His former choir director, Traci Fuller, still works as his vocal coach.

Traci Fuller: “When I speak with him, and when we talk about some of the things he’s working on now, he has that spirit of excellence in everything that he does.”

Lamar says Jackson and Fuller were more than just his teachers.

Lamar Riddick: “Because I was living in a kind of a split household, you know, back and forth between my mom and dad, sometimes during the school days, they were really like my school parents.”

Now, Lamar is impacting lives here in South Florida. His name is used as inspiration for students at Piper High.

Kervens Jackson: “If you’re in my class, you know about Lamar Riddick. I share this with the students to show them that they can strive to do excellence in every level in their lives.”

Because it was that kind of determination that landed Lamar literally center stage.

Karen Hensel, 7News.

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