Miami mayor delivers holiday gifts for children recovering from abuse

Miami Mayor Francis Suarez delivered hundreds of holiday gifts on Wednesday to children at Kristi House, which serves victims of abuse and other trauma.

Suarez brought dolls, action figures, Legos, coloring books, board games and many other toys to the organization’s facility near Miami’s Health District.

The organization provides treatment for children who have suffered abuse and coordinates services for all forms of child trauma. Suarez coordinated a large donation from Hasbro, and his office also contributed to the stacks of toys that filled a conference room.

After touring the facility with CEO Amanda Altman, Suarez said Kristi House does some of the most important work in the community and that “for a city, its success is defined by institutions such as this one.”

“They really have one of the most precious stewardships in our community, to heal the wounds of trauma,” Suarez told reporters. “I kept hearing the word trauma, and everything here at Kristi House is about minimizing trauma in everything, in every aspect of the lives of the children that they encounter and whose lives they impact.”

Kristi House formed in 1995 as an advocacy program to help victims of sexual abuse, including child sex trafficking. The organization also offers services for youths who have suffered trauma from physical abuse and entered the country unaccompanied by adults.

Altman said Kristi House is Miami-Dade County’s nationally accredited child advocacy center, and their work includes preparing children to speak in court, providing therapy and also food assistance, with the help of grants.

“We try to help them find happiness in their lives,” Altman said.