FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Brie Turek (407) 246-3106
Laura Bornfreund (407) 246-3423

MAYOR BUDDY DYER AND CITY COMMISSIONERS APPROVE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF LEGACY TRUST FOR
ORLANDO CHILDREN

Children’s Fund Dedicated to Improving Lives of Low-income Children and Families within the City of Orlando

ORLANDO, FL (January 30, 2006)— At today’s City Council meeting, Mayor Buddy Dyer and City Commissioners approved the establishment of a Legacy Trust for Orlando Children, which will be dedicated to improving the lives of low-income children and families in the City of Orlando. Under the direction of Mayor Dyer, Lisa Early, the Director of the City's Families, Parks and Recreation Department will serve as the initial advisor to the Community Foundation of Central Florida with respect to the Legacy Trust making recommendations for grants and distributions.

“What we do now to support our children will not only make our community a better place, but will also secure the future of this great City,” said Mayor Dyer. “What the City can do is help supplement classroom learning, through quality pre-kindergarten and after-school programming, tutoring, mentoring and college counseling and parental support, so that our City’s children will gain life-long tools for success.”

According to the 2000 Census, 54% of Orlando’s children are growing up in poverty and low-income households. Most of their parents hold down jobs, but their income isn’t sufficient to afford the basics - housing, transportation, food, healthcare, and childcare.

“Children in poverty face the City’s highest rates of juvenile crime, teen pregnancy and academic struggles with most reading below grade level, said Lisa Early. “The Legacy Trust will help the City focus on preventing these problems, through grants and donations we can improve conditions for our City’s children.”

The Legacy Trust will assist children and families, guided by a model developed by Harlem Children’s Zone. Scholarships can be given to children in low-income Orlando neighborhoods, so they can participate in pre-k programs, health care, after school activities, tutoring, youth jobs and higher education programs, and programs that build family economic security. Creative outreach will occur in these neighborhoods to engage as many children as possible in programs.

As a pilot program, the initial replication of the Harlem Children’s Zone will take place in the Parramore Heritage Community, as the Parramore Kidz Zone. It will link children to positive opportunities, like pre-kindergarten, health care, mentoring, and after school programs, and help Parramore families become more economically secure. 2,066 children live in Parramore with 73% living in poverty. Because of Parramore Kidz Zone, Parramore’s children will be better equipped to grow up strong, healthy and well educated.

The Legacy Trust is a donor advised fund administered by the Community Foundation of Central Florida. The trust will enhance fundraising and grant efforts to benefit children residing in low-income neighborhoods within the City, allowing donors and grantors to contribute directly to 501(c)(3) charitable organizations such as the Community Foundation of Central Florida as opposed to governmental organizations such as the City.

A donor advised fund is a management and investment vehicle for the receipt of charitable contributions, the assets of which are owned and held by the Community Foundation of Central Florida for distribution for such charitable purposes as are determined by the entity establishing the fund. Those interested in contributing to the fund can find out more at www.cfcflorida.org, or by calling 407-872-3050.

For more information on Mayor Dyer’s children and education efforts please visit the City of Orlando website at: www.cityoforlando.net.

The Community Foundation of Central Florida was established in 1994 to advance local philanthropy while responding to community needs and supporting charitable organizations. Today the Foundation has grown to hold more than 345 charitable funds with assets of more than $36 million. Since its establishment in 1994, the Foundation has made more than $10 million in grants to improve the quality of life in our Central Florida community and the well-being of our citizens.
 

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