The Branches is a youth outreach ministry modeled after an after-school tutoring program in Florida City for elementary and mid-high students. Volunteer tutors and mentors provide homework assistance and remedial work in all subjects in a secure and structured environment. They work closely with school counselors and teachers to help underachieving students gain success in their school work. There is also time for snacks and recreation. At the Branches program students have a place to come where someone cares about how their day went and encourages them to succeed and make new friends. This program is one of may ministries under the umbrella of South Florida Urban Ministries, an outreach ministry of the United Methodist Church.

St. Luke's has had a long-term relationship with Florida City dating back to the summer of 1993 when we sent a youth group to do a Vacation Bible School in the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew that hit in 1992. The director of Branches is Kim King Torres, who is a Church and Community worker through the United Methodist Church and is one of the missionaries supported by St. Luke's. Many St. Luke's youth mission teams have spent wonderful experiences in Florida City sharing their love of Christ while at the same time experiencing a new culture. The youth of Florida City have also been a part of joint mission teams traveling to one of St. Luke's other mission partner church in Duverge, Dominican Republic. The relationship that has been formed between these two communities has been mutually beneficial and helped us both grown in our faith and understanding the diversity of God's creation.

Rebuilding Branches- witnessing that "God is bigger!"

On May 23rd around 1:00 a.m. in the morning fire destroyed Branches United Methodist Church in Florida City. Despite the devastation, Branches community have started rebuilding their church with admirable strength of faith and determination.