Conference of County Court Judges of Florida 201 SE 6th Street, #335 Ft. Lauderdale, FL. 33301 (954) 831-7675 Inside This Issue! Report from President Elect Committee Reports Welcome New Judges Dade & Monroe Report "Wrongful Kissing" 2001 Education Agenda Agenda Page 2 Conference Schedule HOME |
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Dade County Judge
Rippingille |
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Dade County Court Judge Bonnie Rippingille was recently recognized as Volunteer of the Year by the State of Florida Department of Juvenile Justice. Judge Rippingille was honored for her work with delinquent girls in residential commitment programs in Miami-Dade County through a program she founded called Sisters of the Heart. Sisters of the Heart links delinquent girls with women role models. The program provides the delinquent girls with cultural experiences and opportunities to observe and discuss domestic and repeat violence cases in Judge Rippingille’s courtroom. The program was partially funded by the Women’s Fund of Miami-Dade County. For a number of years, Judge Rippingille has been actively involved in volunteer work with Miami-Dade youth and women’s causes. She was recently honored by the Miami-Dade County Commission when it dedicated the Miami-Dade Women’s Park Founders Committee and as one of the founders of the first Women’s Park and History Gallery in the United States. “Our volunteers are outstanding examples of how ordinary people can do extraordinary things to turn around the lives of troubled youth,” Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary W.G. “Bill” Bankhead said. “Fortunately, they are part of a much larger group of citizens who are taking time out of their busy day to tutor, coach, mentor and counsel boys and girls who are at risk of, or involved in, delinquent behavior.” Judge Rippingrille advised that Sisters of the Heart will continue its work with juveniles in the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice. The program was recently incorporated as a non-profit corporation and is recruiting women mentors for January 2001 through mentoring coordinator, Attorney Susana Rice Roque. Partnering in the program are Principal Eduardo Martinez of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools Alternative Outreach Program, the Women’s Chamber of Commerce through its Director of External Affairs, Barbara Salvin, and the Miami-Dade County Police Department through Commander Charles Thompson. Congratulations, Judge Rippingille! |
