BY DAN SAVAGE, OrlandoMagic.com
ORLANDO – The Orlando Magic recently wrapped up their 35th anniversary season in the NBA.
Throughout their 2023-24 campaign, they celebrated milestone moments, former players, iconic uniforms, and special partnerships they’ve cultivated over the course of their history.
One of the Magic’s longest standing relationships is with the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida. For more than 31 years, the Magic have worked hand in hand with the organization to aid those in Central Florida who are struggling with homelessness and food insecurity.
On Thursday evening, the Magic continued to add to that legacy, as members of their staff served meals to the residents at the Coalition for the Homeless and participated in other clean-up projects throughout the facility.
“We’re out here not only to serve the community from a meal-serve perspective, but also to revitalize the surrounding areas as well,” said Magic Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer Esu Ma’at. “For us, it’s part of our Social Justice Month initiative, where we look at helping the community solve certain outcomes. This is one of them.”
The Magic have been heavily involved in Social Justice Month, which runs from May 25 through June 25, by participating in activities and celebrations throughout Central Florida. Over the course of the month, the Magic have supported receptions, training sessions and volunteerism for causes that address issues such as mental health resources, youth violence, improving local poverty outcomes and strengthening relationships between residents and law enforcement.
“It’s very important,” Ma’at explained. “We’re part of the fabric of this community. That means we have to be good community partners. It’s a wonderful community to be a part of, but there are a lot of challenges, and it’s part of our responsibility to contribute to improving those outcomes and be part of the solution.”
On a daily basis, the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida is on the front line of combatting poverty and assisting the underserved. They are the largest provider of homeless services in Central Florida, helping individuals and families return to stable and permanent housing as quickly as possible. Last year alone, the Coalition served more than 225,000 meals and assisted more than 2,200 individuals in finding permanent housing.
“We love the Orlando Magic,” said Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida Director of Development Trinette Nation. “When (they) come out, it just brings a smile to everybody’s face. (On Thursday), they were out here to do our meal serve. For the residents on our campus, we provide breakfast, lunch, and dinner to everyone, as well as a community meal. That’s what they were doing is helping with that community meal serve. We’re really, really grateful for all their support.”
The Magic remain deeply committed to working collectively to promote peaceful and necessary social change. The organization has always worked to create a culture where all feel welcomed, valued and appreciated, and where all are treated with dignity and respect. Through the City of Orlando’s Social Justice Month, the Magic aim to inspire and empower individuals to take meaningful action towards building a more just and equitable community through ongoing conversations and perspectives working towards an even stronger Orlando.
Over the course of the month, that has manifested in the team hosting the Diversity Game Changer Reception Presented by Florida Blue, which brought together former game changers who were recognized during the season and who continue to make an indelible mark on the community.
Other activities supported include “Know Your Place” film screening and Bethune Cookman Center for Law and Social Justice police use of force simulation.
Off the court, on an annual basis, the Magic give more than $2 million to the local community by way of sponsorships of events, donated tickets, autographed merchandise and grants. Magic community relations programs impact an estimated 100,000 kids each year, while a Magic staff-wide initiative provides more than 7,000 volunteer hours annually. In addition, the OMYF, which serves at-risk youth, has distributed more than $29 million to local nonprofit community organizations over the last 34 years.
