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Families, Parks and Recreation
Press
Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact:
Carson Chandler
(407) 246.2822
Heather Allebaugh (407)
246.3423
Mayor Dyer's Pathways for Parramore Initiative Reaches 2
Year Milestone
New Data Shows a Quarter of
Parramore Youth Impacted through Parramore Kidz Zone
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WHAT: |
In two years since Mayor Dyer and District 5
City Commissioner Daisy W. Lynum launched the
Pathways for Parramore initiative, the City’s
Parramore community has seen significant
revitalization through the five pathways –
housing, business development, children &
education, public safety and quality of life. On
Monday, June 18, the Orlando City Council will
hear an update on how the Parramore Kidz Zone,
which falls under the Children & Education
Pathway, has impacted more than 25% of kids in
the neighborhood. Modeled after the Harlem
Children’s Zone, Parramore Kidz Zone employs
creative outreach to engage a critical mass of
Parramore’s children and link them to positive
opportunities, including pre-kindergarten
education, parenting education, healthcare,
mentoring, tutoring, and constructive activities
when school is out.
In March, the SAFE Orlando Task Force made 36
recommendations to combat the rise in violent
crimes, 16 of those recommendations focused on
prevention. Many of the programs through the
Parramore Kidz Zone, are proven models of
prevention and are recommendations of the SAFE
Orlando Task Force, including:
- The establishment of “Teenz of Parramore”
or T.O.P Advisory Council with 12
neighborhood youth to advise on effective
ways to engage youth who have been on the
streets without adult supervision, in
positive and productive activities
- Homework Roomz, dedicated, after-school
labs provide children with tutoring, access
to computers, the Internet and supplies
- The “Roving Leaders” program, an
initiative used in cities across the nation,
to provide resources for athletic
activities, community service projects,
field trips, teen dances, arts initiatives,
special events, movie nights and leadership
development for youth who are vulnerable to
drugs, gangs and violence.
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BACKGROUND: |
The Pathways for Parramore initiative came to
fruition in June 2005 from a task force
commissioned by Mayor Buddy Dyer in November
2003. After more than 6 months of conducting
research and obtaining stakeholder input, the
task force presented recommendations in June
2004.
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WHEN: |
Monday, June 18 at 10 a.m.
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WHERE: |
Orlando City Hall
Council Chambers – 2nd
floor
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