The "Bench Buddies" program, a collaboration between the judges and staff of the Miami-Dade Courts' Juvenile Division and its justice partners, visited students at the Downtown Miami Charter School during the Presidents Day and Earth Day holidays to encourage reading and teach about the role of courts in protecting citizens' rights.

This award-winning program was established by Judge Cindy Lederman and Judge Maria Sampedro-Iglesia of the Juvenile Division, and Ms. Susan Sommers of the Guardian Ad Litem Program.