Orange County Government celebrates Community Action Month

From the Orange County Government

Orange County Government is observing National Community Action Month in May with a series of interactive community workshops and events. National Community Action Month was created by the Community Action Partnership to reinforce local agencies’ role in helping low-income families achieve economic stability.

In May, Orange County’s Community Action Division is showcasing its programs and partnerships and featuring information on how local families can achieve financial security through a series of events and open houses.

In addition to attending the May events, qualifying residents in east Orange County are encouraged to apply for the Family Self-Sufficiency Program. The program is designed to assist low-income residents to achieve economic independence through tuition assistance, vocational training, post-secondary education and state certifications for employment.

Education partners in east Orange County include Orange Technical College’s Avalon Campus and Valencia College’s East Campus. The fall application deadline for Orange Technical College is July 23, and Valencia College is Aug. 10. Local residents are encouraged to apply early and meet with an advisor.

Featured events include:

• Saturday, May 5 | 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

  Holden Heights Voter Registration – The YMCA of Central Florida with Orange County’s Community Action Division, Star 94.5 and the League of Women Voters, will host a voter registration drive and information session for high school and college students.

  Location: Holden Heights Community Center – 1201 20th St., Orlando, FL 32805

• Wednesday, May 9 | 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

  Community Action Board Meeting – Free and open to the public, Orange County’s Family Services Department invites residents to come and share experiences with the Family Self-Sufficiency Program, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Weatherization program.

  Location: Orange County Administration – 201 S. Rosalind Ave., Orlando, FL 32801

• Thursday, May 10 | 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

  East Orange Open House –The East Orange Community Center will host an open house to highlight available programs for residents. Education partners in east Orange County, including Orange Technical College’s Avalon Campus and Valencia College’s East Campus, will be onsite to assist qualifying residents with Family Self-Sufficiency Program applications.

  Location: East Orange Community Center – 12050 E. Colonial Dr., Orlando, FL 32826

• Wednesday, May 16 | 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

  Holden Heights Job Fair –The Holden Heights Community Center will host a job and resource fair featuring the Waffle House, Middlesex Corp., McDonald’s, YMCA of Central Florida, CarePlus Health Plans, the Department of Veterans Affairs, Harbor House of Central Florida, Charity & Love, Holden Heights Neighborhood Association and more.

  Location: Holden Heights Community Center – 1201 20th Street, Orlando, FL 32805

• Thursday, May 24 | 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

  John Bridges Open House – The Community Center will host an open house event for the community to highlight available programs for residents.

  Location: John Bridges Community Center – 445 W. 13th Street, Apopka, FL 32703

Orange County’s Community Action Division is part of Orange County’s Family Services Department. Its mission is to enhance residents’ quality of life by eliminating the causes and consequences of poverty by mobilizing and directing resources through a collaboration of partnerships by providing accessible quality programs that assist, educate, and promote self-sufficiency.

For more information on the Community Action events, e-mail CommunityAction@ocfl.net or call 407-836-9333.