North Miami Foundation for
Senior Citizens' Services, Inc.

Volunteering Expands Your Horizons" was the theme for the annual get together and thanks to those who have contributed their time, love, and more to help their North Miami neighbors. Reverend Jack Remaly of the First Church of North Miami set the tone of the luncheon by saying, "There are some very important people here. They are those who reach beyond themselves to help people with greater needs." The Reverend went on to thank the volunteers for making the world a better place. He finished with, "Bless us as we celebrate these volunteers."

Debbie Kleinberg is the Executive Director of the North Miami Foundation for Senior Citizens' Services, Inc., located at 620 N.E. 127 Street. The Foundations's mission is to provide a broad array of social services allowing seniors to maintain personal independence and an enhanced quality of life. To achieve this mission, caring and consistent service is provided by staff and volunteers of the Foundation who are committed to excellence. These day-to-day workers are supported by an active Board of Directors and the involvement of various community groups and individuals, including government and service organizations.

Sandi Dioli-Kumm coordinates the efforts of the Volunteer Corps. In the year 2000, volunteers spent 20,440 hours visiting seniors and 15,214 hours telephoning reassurances.

Government representatives showed their appreciation for the Foundation through a series of proclamations and letters. Outgoing North Miami Mayor Frank Wolland is joined in applauding the Foundation staff and volunteers with Councilman Michael Blynn, Mayor Elect Joe Celestine and Councilman Elect Jacques Despinosse. A

Sister Marie Carol Hurley, O.P. from Barry University provided a lively history of the University where she has spent 41 of her 82 years. "Barry" is a family name. The two Barry brothers and their sister Gerald established the all woman college in 1940.

The three Catholic siblings all joined the Church. Having arrived in northern Florida as a missionary in 1895, Patrick Barry was eventually the Bishop of St Augustine, but his diocese covered the entire state of Florida. Patrick had been a chaplain during the Spanish-American War. Sister Hurley called him a gentle and living man who was also a strong leader.

Patrick's brother was Monseigneur William Barry who was called "Wild Bill Barry". This dynamic, determined, and forceful priest was also loving and did much to promote both Barry and Miami Beach, where his parish of St. Patrick's was located.

Gerald Barry had joined the Dominican Sisters in 1912 after obtaining both a Business and Law Degree. The Dominicans had been established to preach the Catholic religion. Their Mother House was built in a cornfield in Michigan where the sisters helped local senior citizens. Gerald became Mother General of the Order in 1933. She began dreaming of a college where women could get a Higher Education, south of the Masson-Dixon Line.

In 1940 Barry University began on 40 acres, bought for $40,000. Within the year five buildings had been built and the first 45 students began classes. Today the University covers 100 acres, has 40 buildings, and an enrollment of 8,000. They have continued to uphold the original goals of: 1. provide an excellent education; 2. provide a religious dimension with the Chapel being the center of the community; 3. maintain programs that reach out to the community; 4. create a caring community for all.

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