Get In Touch... Get INVOLVED

The Office of Community Affairs (OCA) engages all sectors of the Orlando community to expand and enhance the City’s connections with key constituent groups, including community, civic, faith-based, arts and human service organizations. OCA supports the City’s mission and priorities by leveraging City resources to strengthen Orlando through partnerships and collaborations.

Key Services:

• Cities of Service - Mayor Buddy Dyer’s Cities of Service Initiative: ORLANDO CARES engages citizens in service and channels volunteerism toward two of the City’s priorities: Youth Educational Enhancement and Youth Crime Prevention. ORLANDO CARES will establish Orlando as one of the easiest places in the country to volunteer, target volunteer efforts to address pressing local challenges and promote service as a core part of what it means to be an Orlando citizen. Visit OrlandoCares.net for details.

• Mayor’s Matching Grant Program - The City of Orlando awards matching grants that empower neighborhood associations, schools and non-profit organizations to plan and implement projects that address neighborhood needs, improve education, promote safety and build community pride.

• HOLA (Hispanic Office for Local Assistance) - HOLA services have been expanded to better assist new residents of our community. Through new partnerships, HOLA offers vital information, services and resources to all citizens.

• Human Relations - Human Relations promotes equality of opportunity for the citizens of Orlando by advocating policies of nondiscrimination and administering City and Federal laws that prohibit discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations.

• Arts, Cultural and Civic Affairs - Orlando’s goal is to have a vibrant community where arts and culture flourish. The OCA staff connects the City and its citizens with local arts, cultural and civic organizations and their activities, through funding support, board participation and publicity.

• Human Service Agency Facilitation - The Citizens Review Panel (CRP) is a volunteer board appointed to review and recommend the allocation of public human service funding. The OCA staff facilitates the review process and manages the City’s support of human service agencies that provide critical services to Orlando residents.

• City and Employee Volunteer Opportunities - The OCA staff facilitates recruitment, placement and recognition of citizen and employee volunteers who assist various City departments and support community events.

“Citizen involvement is essential to effective local government.” Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer

Mayor's Neighborhood & Community Summit	Community Builder Award	ORLANDO CARES	Orlando Mayor's Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission