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| December 8, 2006- City News |
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Dear friends,
Homelessness is a problem cities across the country face and has more than one cause and no easy solution. In an effort to address this issue, the City and Orange County along with many human services organizations, faith-based organizations, and non-profit groups launched Project Homeless Connect today in Orlando.
Modeled after a best-practice developed in San Francisco, Project Homeless Connect provided a one-stop location for homeless people to connect with local agencies and discover services available to them, including benefits, medical care, employment opportunities, substance abuse and mental health counseling, social services, food, housing and shelter.
Ending homelessness in any community is a challenge. For some, it’s finding employment and an affordable place to live. For others, it may be getting the necessary medical assistance they need. It impacts adults, those with disabilities and children. By reaching out and providing resources in a convenient location, we hope that Project Homeless Connect provided help to those in need.
Today’s event, with the assistance of local volunteers, non-profits and government agencies, is part of a renewed effort to use all of our resources and work together as a regional community to address this serious issue. I appreciate the assistance of those who helped make the inaugural Project Homeless Connect a success. By working together, we will make a bigger difference.
Sincerely,
Buddy Dyer
Mayor
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On Wednesday, December 6 Mayor Buddy Dyer attended the Central Florida Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Holiday Reception. This year, professional golfer Chris DiMarco and sports analyst and former college football coach Terry Bowden were inducted.
On Thursday, December 7, the Mayor attended the Veterans of Foreign Wars Pearl Harbor Ceremony to honor those Americans who survived the Pearl Harbors attacks on December 7, 1941.
On Friday, December 8, Mayor Dyer attended the annual Santa Workshop put on by the Retired Senior Volunteer Program at the Marks Street Senior Center. This workshop gives disadvantaged children the opportunity to shop for homemade gifts for their family members made by the senior volunteers. Many of the attending children are from Head Start, Children’s Medical Services or children from incarcerated parents.
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On Monday, December 11 at 9:30 a.m. the City Council will participate in a public workshop regarding the ideas and concepts behind the Creative Village. Mayor Dyer and the City Council have a shared vision of transforming the Centroplex from a sea of asphalt into an urban village of art galleries, digital media and technology related companies, retailers, students, and a mix of residents, anchored by UCF’s School of Film and Digital Media and the Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy. This Creative Village could provide new economic opportunities for local residents; attract new high-wage, high-value jobs to the area; provide additional workforce housing options; and incorporate new public recreational space for residents to enjoy.
The workshop will be held in the City Hall Council Chambers. Residents are encouraged to attend the workshop. The video and PowerPoint will also be available online after the meeting at http://www.cityoforlando.net/elected/venues/materials.htm.
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Earlier this year, Mayor Dyer unveiled a multi-year, multi-million dollar public safety initiative, continuing the City’s commitment to public safety. On Thursday, December 7, Mayor Dyer and the Orlando Fire Department (OFD) broke ground on the new fire station #15, one of three fire stations to begin construction this month.
As the City of Orlando experiences tremendous growth, the Orlando Fire Department is focused on enhancing it’s infrastructure with the addition of these state-of-the-art stations, adding 45 fire personnel operating three advanced life support engine companies servicing Northern Lake Nona, Central Lake Nona and the Millenia area. These new fire stations will lay the foundation to attain the City’s first ISO rating of “1”. This is the highest rating that cities and communities across the nation strive to achieve for their citizens. The rapid response times will lower residential and commercial property insurance rates and keep the Orlando Fire Department in the top 1% of rated-fire agencies in the country.
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Florida’s Blood Centers (FBC) and WMMO radio will kick-off the inaugural Wednesdays on Wall Street Corporate Challenge blood drive on December 13 at the Wall Street Plaza. This monthly event will be held the second Wednesday of each month at the popular restaurant plaza. FBC will host the blood drive with two bloodmobiles and WMMO will provide giveaways and prizes.
The office or organization that gives the most units of blood at the Wednesdays on Wall Street Corporate Challenge blood drive will win a happy hour courtesy of the Wall Street Plaza restaurants.
WMMO and the City of Orlando challenge all Downtown Orlando businesses and organizations to give back to our community in this new monthly blood drive.
The first challenge takes place 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. on Wednesday, December 13, 2006.
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Mayor's Message
