Who We Are
We are resident, business and community leaders.
We are working together to strengthen the historic neighborhoods around Camping World Stadium.
We are caring and connected neighbors
Lift Orlando was founded by business leaders working with residents committed to strengthening their community.
A Picture of the Possible
In late 2013, Lift Orlando began working at the invitation of Florida Citrus Sports with a focus on the neighborhoods immediately around the stadium, we commissioned the Polis Institute to discover the assets within the community and to learn the hopes and dreams of its residents. After interviewing over 1,500 people in the largest urban survey ever completed in Orlando, we gleaned critical insights into this historic area of The City Beautiful. Yet, there was more to learn from the community’s most valuable contributors: the neighborhood children.
A Caring and Connected Community
Early stages of resident engagement in 2014 revealed a community of resident leaders willing to come together alongside us to help create pathways of progress and opportunity for their neighbors. West Lakes Partnership seeks to build pathways to stability, power and generational wealth alongside residents of West Lakes. Through it, resident leaders work to ensure the vision of a thriving community where its residents can live, work, learn, and play becomes a reality.
A Purpose Built Community
In 2015, Lift Orlando joined the Purpose Built Communities Network after being inspired by the highly successful and proven model of East Lake in Atlanta Georgia. This framework of holistic community revitalization that includes a cradle-to-college-to-career education pipeline, a mixed-income housing strategy and community wellness through a rich network of community and support services. As a result of our work with residents, we added the fourth pillar of long-term economic viability.
A Healthy Neighborhood Ecosystem
The year 2020 ushered in the completion of a major shared goal, with the development of the West Lakes Community Campus along Orange Center Boulevard—the heart of a healthy neighborhood ecosystem designed for residents of all ages to thrive. This is a holistic, master plan with the goal of addressing both the individual needs and the physical environments impacting the success of residents in order to unleash the cycle of prosperity.
Our Approach
Today, Lift Orlando continues to strengthen these historic neighborhoods surrounding the stadium by investing in people and the places they live, learn, work and play. As the Community Quarterback, Lift Orlando serves the collaboration of resident, business and community leaders working on a shared vision for revitalizing the Communities of West Lakes. Our multi-pronged approach leverages three proven models for positive social change.
Our Board Members
Tom Sittema, Board Chair
Conversus, a StepStone company
Scott Boyd
Boyd Development Corporation
William T. Dymond, Jr.
Lowndes
Steven Hogan
Florida Citrus Sports
Brian Adams AdventHealth Central Florida Division
Bob Miles
BAGS, Inc.
Harold Mills
VMD Ventures
Eddy Moratin
Lift Orlando
Geoff Richards
Wyndham Destinations
Allen Wiggins
The Hope Church
Our Team
Featured
we are the community quarterback
No single organization is able to solve all of our challenges. We bring people together to build a brighter future for children and families.
