ORLANDO – Local resident, Karelyn Rodriguez, had fallen on hard times. She lost her job and had been evicted from her home. As result, she also lost important documents like her ID and birth certificate. Without these documents, she was unable to apply for a new home or a new job. Thankfully she was connected with local non-profit, IDiginity who helped process the necessary paperwork to secure a new ID for her. Breaking down that barrier, helped Karelyn secure a new job and a new place to call home.
This is just one example of the impactful work Orlando’s not-for-profits undertake each and every day in the community. This is why the City supports IDiginity and organizations like this every year through grants programs.
The City reaffirmed that commitment and celebrated providing more than $3.7 million this year to help serve more than 130,000 city residents. At the event, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer honored and applauded dozens of these local community and non-profit leaders at City Hall for their continued investment in Orlando.
“We are fortunate to be part of a community that has local organizations that align with our values of creating a city for everyone to call home,” said Orlando Mayor Dyer. “As a government we cannot accomplish our goals alone and we are proud to be able to invest these grants funds with our partners and help support the programs that help so many of our residents.”
Each year, the City of Orlando’s Office of Community Affairs Office partners with nearly 50 local organizations that are dedicated to various causes and initiatives throughout Central Florida.
The Community Investment Program provides funding to organizations that are directly serve and impact Orlando residents in the following areas:
- Housing- focused and job placement services for individuals experiencing homelessness;
- Family sustainability to equip families who are at risk of not meeting basic human needs with childcare, job training, immigration assistance, programs for LGBTQ+ individuals, and legal assistance;
- Domestic violence resources for primary prevention work, public awareness campaigns and assisting survivors of domestic violence;
- Support of seniors to promote or maintain senior independence and create a social environment with healthy meal programs, day care services, social programs and transportation programs;
- And availability, access and consumption of healthy foods to serve families in underrepresented communities to increase food equity.
The City of Orlando’s Office of Community Affairs Office also distributes funding to local organizations in the areas of Arts & Cultural and Community Service, which focus in the following areas:
- Orlando Science Center provides experience-based opportunities for learning about science and technology;
- United Arts of Central Florida helps unite the community and fuel the arts;
- Homeless Services Network and Central Florida Commission on Homelessness provide housing, programs and emergency services to those experiencing homelessness;
- And The Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando cares for the well-being of dogs and cats and offers affordable veterinary services.
