Orlando Mayor Dyer Launches Two New ORLANDO CARES Initiatives Aimed at Youth Education and Youth Crime Prevention

WHAT:
Mayor Dyer will join children, families, volunteers and ORLANDO CARES partners Junior Achievement, Heart of Florida United Way and Orange County Public Schools to launch the two latest Cities of Service initiatives, Path Finders and the Interfaith School Turnaround Project.

The launch of Path Finders and the Interfaith School Turnaround Project completes the rollout of the ORLANDO CARES programs. To date, the City currently has four active programs, engaging more than 800 youths, in educational and crime prevention programs through the ORLANDO CARES initiative. Mayor Buddy’s Book Club, COMPACT, Preschool Ambassadors and The Garden were each launched earlier this year.

Path Finders is an after-school opportunity for students to learn about themselves and develop a path toward a successful future through career exposure, self exploration and academic planning. The Interfaith School Turnaround Project will connect the classroom and interfaith community through tutoring, mentoring and volunteer service to improve student achievement, attendance and behavior.

ORLANDO CARES BACKGROUND:
On March 31, 2011, Mayor Dyer launched ORLANDO CARES, the City’s high-impact service plan made possible through a $200,000 Cities of Service Leadership Grant awarded to Orlando in June 2010, funded jointly by the Rockefeller Foundation and Bloomberg Philanthropies. This grant enabled Orlando to hire a Chief Service Officer who is responsible for developing and implementing the high-impact service plan. This plan builds on existing volunteer programs and aims to engage more residents, businesses and community groups in service in service efforts that address the City’s priorities of youth education and youth crime prevention.

WHO:
Orlando Mayor Dyer
Heart of Florida United Way President and CEO Robert Brown
Junior Achievement of Central Florida President Craig Polejes
Orange County Public Schools Chairman Bill Sublette

WHEN:
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
2:00 PM

**Memorial Middle School has a strict security protocol. Please arrive least 15 minutes to ensure timely access to this event.**

WHERE:
Memorial Middle School
2220 29th Street

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