Bobby Torrado - A success Story

Bobby Torrado is 6 feet 2 inches of good looks, fabulous smile (dimples and all) and a positive outlook for a good life ahead. It did not start out that way for Bobby. He grew up in the foster care system in Miami Dade County and is now a successful young man.

Bobby believes that although he did not always live with his grandmother, she had a very strong influence on who he is today. “She has been a mother and a father to me, and no matter how bad things have been, my grandmother has always been there for me. We still speak to each other every day!”

Bobby, now 24, a high school graduate, has dreams of going to college someday, followed by marriage, and the family life he always envisioned. A CHARLEE graduate, Bobby now gives back to CHARLEE in more ways than one. He now works full time for CHARLEE as a computer systems technician. He also helps work with the kids and shares his personal experience to help others who are struggling.

Bobby credits one CHARLEE counselor as a big influence on his life - Alex Pitaluga. Bobby wants to help other kids the way Alex helped him. Alex helped Bobby believe in himself. Another of Bobby’s dreams is create a program similar to CHARLEE in a different city someday - as he puts it, “to help kids that have the same problems that I have had. I want to make a difference in other kids lives.”

In his spare time he also works for the Non-Violence Project as a community liaison and computer technician, teaching adults and kids computer skills as an alternative to violence. I asked Bobby, “What do you do for fun?” Laughing, he said, “There isn't much time for that, but I do bowl on the CHARLEE team and I keep an old fishing rod in the trunk of my car - just in case!”

“Thanks to CHARLEE I learned not to be afraid...”

Petite and sweet, spunky and cheerful all adjectives that describe Lourdes! A six year CHARLEE resident, this pretty 15 year old has a lot going for her. We met at the Bayshore home where Lourdes lives. She was eager to tell me how much CHARLEE has meant to her over the years and how she has no desire to leave.

Lourdes plans to finish high school and go to college. She dreams of being a ballet dancer in Miami. She also said she may become a counselor. She would come to that profession with a lot of her own experiences, and a lot of insight. Lourdes told me “CHARLEE helped me develop good self-esteem and helped me through my past. I learned not to be afraid and that there are people that love me.” When I asked her how she could help other kids, she said, “guide them into the best way. I would tell them that their life will get better and to take it day by day.”

As we were ending my visit and this interview, Lourdes had a big message for everyone. She said, “thank you to everyone who has helped CHARLEE. Keep up the cheering for CHARLEE. If you see a kid in need of help - push them, help them, to go the right way.”

A big heartfelt message from an adorable child-advocate child!