A South Florida police officer is going beyond the call of duty to help a local youth center in dire need of repairs. The center is where dozens of children in distress find the tools and resources to guide them on the right track.
Officials with the center said most of the kids are truant, runaways and homeless. They're just 10-17 years of age.
10 boys and 10 girls share the Lippman Youth Shelter in Oakland Park. Program Manager and Shelter Manager Terence Washington said it's where they get counseling, most them for anger issues.
They'll live at the shelter for up to 30 days, but the problem is, there are holes in the walls and the furniture is falling apart. The shelter is in need of updating and repairs.
"The ceilings, as you can see, we're trying to get done. The walls we're trying to get painted," Washington explained.
That's where Miramar Police Detective Carl Schlosser comes in. At a meeting with the shelter staff, it wasn't hard for him to notice the disrepair.
"It's been in existence since the 80's and it felt like it needed some sprucing up," Schlosser said.
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Schlosser took it upon himself to start a GoFundMe page for the shelter, run by Lutheran Services of Florida. He wants to start with the landscaping, cleaning up an overgrown courtyard, replacing picnic tables and fresh paint.
Through his eyes, troubled kids are worth it, "I work with Crimes Against Children and runaways in my city. We have so many cases which seem to be popping up at the same time, that we needed some sort of resource to provide to the family."
Budget cuts prevented the nonprofit from getting updates and renovations. Most of what you see was donated close to 10 years ago and is coming apart at the proverbial seams.
Schlosser said he's seen what the shelter can do. He just thinks it should be done under more comfortable conditions, "It shows the family and the child it can be done. They can be a positive member of the community or society."
"We're very appreciative and everything he's done for us. He's a big advocate," Washington expressed.
