Letter from President & Chair
Dear friends and neighbors,
2024 marked a decade of transformation in the 32805 ZIP Code—a journey we are proud to share with you. From the early days of high childhood poverty, low school performance, and limited opportunities, we’ve witnessed remarkable change: children thriving in classrooms, families gaining stability, and seniors living healthier, fuller lives.
This report is a celebration of you—our donors, partners, volunteers, and residents—whose belief in the potential of our neighborhoods has lifted us all. Together, we’ve demonstrated that long-term investment in people and place creates measurable, sustainable change.
We invite you to explore the stories, data, and milestones in this report and see how every gift, every partnership, and every act of service has contributed to a decade of impact.
With gratitude,
Eddy Moratin, President
Tom Sittema, Board Chair
Lifting Generosity
In 2024, the story of the 32805 ZIP Code was lifted by you—our donors, partners, and friends. Because of your generosity and commitment, children entered kindergarten ready to learn, high school students found mentors and role models, and first-generation scholars stepped onto college campuses with confidence. Seniors discovered new joy in mentoring young learners, while small businesses expanded to create jobs and opportunity right here in our community.
Your gifts—whether from a corporate partner, a foundation, or a single individual who simply believes in this work—have multiplied into real change. You have helped lower the childhood poverty rate, raise graduation rates, improve health access, and fuel the dreams of entrepreneurs. Together, we have not only transformed neighborhoods; we have transformed lives.
Every dollar invested, every volunteer hour given, and every act of kindness has lifted the community higher. And every name on this donor page represents more than a contribution—it represents a commitment to justice, opportunity, and love for our neighbors.
From the boardroom to the classroom, from major gifts to monthly giving, you have shown what is possible when people unite around the simple idea that love is local.
On behalf of the Lift Orlando team, thank you for believing that, together, we can lift an entire city.
Together, we LIFT Orlando.
Lifting Learners: From Cradle to College
Early Learning Collaborative
The foundation of a thriving neighborhood begins in the earliest years of a child’s life. That’s why Lift Orlando launched the Early Learning Collaborative (ELC)—to ensure every child in the 32805 ZIP Code has access to high-quality childcare and early education.
In 2024, the ELC expanded to serve more children than ever before, offering families affordable, nurturing environments where learning begins long before kindergarten. Parents participated in workshops, teachers received ongoing professional development, and children gained confidence in both literacy and social-emotional skills.
One mother, Jasmine, shared, “When my son first started at the center, he barely spoke. Now he’s reading sight words and comes home excited to teach me what he’s learned.”
The results are clear: children are entering kindergarten ready to learn, families feel supported, and teachers are thriving. Together, we are proving that investing in early learning is one of the most powerful ways to change the trajectory of a child’s future, and by extension, a community’s future.
To learn more about how you can support children in Orlando, check out this video [QR CODE TO EOY Video]
K–8 | Lift Ambassadors
The journey from kindergarten through eighth grade is filled with important milestones, and challenges. In 2024, to help students succeed both academically and socially, Lift Orlando created Lift Ambassadors, pairing elementary students with seniors (65+) volunteers from Pendana Senior Residences for reading support, mentorship, and encouragement.
Several of our Lift Ambassadors dedicated their afternoons to reading practice, homework help, and simple but powerful conversations that inspire confidence. This mentorship doesn’t just boost literacy — it bridges generation gaps, supports teachers, and creates a stronger sense of community.
[QUOTE FROM SENIOR AMBASSADOR]
College & Career | EmpowerEd Scholars
For many students, the path to college can feel out of reach due to financial challenges and limited support. Lift Orlando is committed to making sure college is within reach. EmpowerEd Scholars supports students from 8th grade through postsecondary education with personalized resources like mentorship, college prep, career guidance, and flexible scholarships. This program helps local youth not only access higher education but thrive in it and transition into meaningful careers.
In 2024, we celebrated Andrew, one of our scholars who represents what’s possible when opportunity meets determination. A first-generation college student, Andrew graduated with honors from Jones High School and dreamed of becoming a financial advisor to his peers. Through EmpowerEd Scholars, he received both guidance and financial support that made it possible to enroll at the University of Central Florida.
Andrew’s story is one of many. EmpowerEd Scholars aims to not only change the trajectory of a student’s life, but to create a ripple effect for their families and community.
Learn more about Andrew:
[INSERT QR Code for Andrew’s Scholarship video]
Housing & Resident Engagement
Lifting Homes: Expanding Choice
In the 32805 ZIP Code as elsewhere, a home is more than four walls, it’s the foundation for a family’s stability, safety, and opportunity. In 2024, Lift Orlando’s Harmony Initiative and Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant empowered residents to take control of their housing futures, giving them the tools, resources, and support to make choices that work for their families.
These programs go beyond providing housing—they expand resident choice, strengthen community ties, and create lasting impact. When families have the opportunity to be apart of planning their community’s future the entire neighborhood rises together. Lift Orlando’s approach proves that giving people options, paired with practical support, is one of the most powerful ways to build stronger, more resilient communities.
Greats of West Lakes
At the center of every neighborhood transformation are the residents who lead it. In 2024, Lift Orlando honored the“Greats of West Lakes”—longstanding residents who have served as mentors, advocates, and champions for change.
From neighbors who organized block meetings to parents who stepped into school leadership roles, these community voices remind us that true progress is resident-driven. Their wisdom, resilience, and leadership are the heartbeat of the work.
As one resident put it, “We’re not just witnesses to change—we’re leaders of it.”
[INSERT IMAGERY OF GREATS OF WEST LAKES, Community Open houses, The imagery should be lively, colorful and full of smiling faces! etc. ]
Health & Wellness and Economic Viability
Lifting Wellness: Healthy Families, Thriving Communities
Good health is the foundation of opportunity. In 2024, Lift Orlando strengthened our partnership with Florida Blue to bring health education, screenings, and preventive care directly to the 32805 community. Workshops on nutrition, exercise, and chronic disease management reached dozens of families each month, while mobile clinics ensured residents could access essential screenings without barriers of cost or transportation. By addressing physical, mental, and emotional health together, we are helping families live longer, healthier, and more joyful lives.
This year, Lift Orlando received recognition at Florida Blue’s Sapphire Awards, honoring our innovative, collaborative approach to improving neighborhood health outcomes. By bringing together residents, healthcare providers, and community organizations, we co-create solutions that last—building trust, expanding access, and proving that when health equity improves, entire communities thrive.
Learn more about the partnership between Florida Blue and Lift Orlando and see how this collaboration is saving lives in the 32805 ZIP Code by scanning the QR code to watch the full video.
[INSERT SAPPHIRE AWARDS VIDEO]
Lifting Opportunity: Small Businesses, Big Dreams
A thriving community needs thriving local businesses. Lift Orlando’s Small Business Institute (SBI) provides entrepreneurs with mentorship, training, and access to capital to build and grow their businesses.
In 2024, the SBI celebrated the success of Ana Rivera, owner of a local catering company. With coaching from the program and support from her peers, Ana expanded her business, hired three employees, and is working on opening up a storefront in the greater Orlando area.
Ana reflected, “Before SBI, I had a dream but no roadmap. This program gave me the knowledge, tools, and confidence to scale my business. Now I’m creating jobs and opportunities right here in my neighborhood.” - QUOTE NEEDED
Her story represents more than one entrepreneur’s success. Each new business creates ripple effects—jobs for residents, increased economic mobility, and a growing sense of pride in West Lakes as a place where businesses and families can flourish.
[INSERT IMAGERY OF SOULDOBO WINNERS - Different from one above or video link QR code]
Lifting Communities: A Decade of Measurable Impact
At Lift Orlando, we believe that every number tells a story and every story reflects the power of community, investment, and care. Over the past ten years, the 32805 ZIP Code has experienced transformative change, and our 2024 impact metrics show how far we’ve come and the foundation we’re building for the future.
Children & Education
Childhood Poverty Rate has decreased from: 57% → 20%
High School Graduation Rate: 74% → 87%
Early Learning ROI: Every $1 invested returns $13 in educational outcomes
From preschool classrooms to mentorship programs, Lift Orlando’s investments in children and youth have given them the tools to thrive academically and socially.
Economic Development
Per Capita Income Increase: +$10,000
College Completion Lifetime Earnings: $300,000+ per student
Youth Development ROI: $8–$10 per $1 invested
By supporting local entrepreneurs, providing financial coaching, and helping students navigate pathways to higher education, Lift Orlando strengthens both individual opportunity and the economic vitality of the community. Each new job or business created contributes to a more prosperous neighborhood.
Housing & Resident Stability
Affordable Housing: Hundreds of residents have engaged with The Harmony Initiative. Resident Engagement: Lift Orlando’s Open House and other community events such as Trunk-or-Treat have brought residents together.
Safe, stable homes are the cornerstone of thriving neighborhoods. Programs like the Harmony Initiative and Choice Planning grant with HUD expand residents’ choices while ensuring dignity, safety, and pride in their community.
Health & Wellness
Preventive Screenings and Health Workshops: Dozens of families reached monthly.
Through partnerships with Community Health Centers, Florida Blue, and others Lift Orlando provides critical health resources that improve life expectancy, reduce preventable illness, and empower residents to take control of their wellness.
Community Connectivity
Greats of West Lakes: Celebrating resident leaders, mentors, and volunteers.
Resident Feedback: Lift Orlando's 2024 door-to-door community survey found 94% of residents surveyed reported satisfaction or neutrality regarding neighborhood changes.
Lift Orlando measures success not only by outputs, but by the strength of the relationships and engagement within the community. Residents are at the heart of every decision, and their insights guide programs, services, and future investments.
Looking Forward
These metrics are more than numbers, they are proof that long-term, place-based investment works. They show the impact of a decade of care, collaboration, and strategic focus, while providing a roadmap for the next chapter of Lift Orlando’s work.
Financials
Summary of FY 2024 financials: revenue, expenses, program allocations, and net assets.
Visual: pie chart of funds by pillar & program.
Lifting Each Other, Together
In 2024, our neighborhoods were lifted by the generosity, energy, and dedication of donors, volunteers, and residents—people who believe that love is local.
The Love is Local Summit brought neighbors, leaders, and philanthropists together to celebrate place-based impact, share strategies for community investment, and highlight how collective action can create measurable change.
Legacy in Bloom celebrated the leaders and donors whose commitment to education, housing, and opportunity has helped shape the 32805 ZIP Code over the past decade. Guests engaged with residents and program participants, leaving inspired by the stories of children thriving in early learning classrooms, families achieving housing stability, and youth stepping confidently into college and careers.
Through such initiatives , Lift Orlando has shown that when a community comes together, people don’t just survive; theythrive. Every project, every partnership, and every gift reflects a belief that lasting change is possible when we lift one another.
From mentoring programs to community events, from scholarships to home repairs, 2024 has been a year of love in action. And it’s clear: the heart of the 32805 ZIP Code is strong, resilient, and ready to keep rising together.
[Insert to Images from LIB & LIL Summit]
Lifting Higher: The Next Decade of Transformation
The 32805 ZIP Code is rising and you can be part of a movement that’s transforming an entire community. As we reflect on a decade of progress, Lift Orlando is looking forward with Lift 2.0—our bold vision for the next chapter of neighborhood transformation. Building on the lessons, successes, and partnerships of the past ten years, Lift 2.0 will deepen our impact, expand opportunities, and lift even more families, children, and residents to their full potential.
Over the coming years, Lift 2.0 will focus on:
Expanding Early Learning & Youth Development: Ensuring every child has access to high-quality education and mentorship from cradle to college.
Strengthening Housing & Resident Choice: Supporting safe, stable homes while empowering residents to make choices that fit their families’ needs.
Advancing Health & Wellness: Increasing access to preventive care, mental health support, and programs that help residents live longer, healthier lives.
Boosting Economic Opportunity: Growing local businesses, supporting entrepreneurship, and providing pathways to sustainable employment and financial independence.
Scaling Community Engagement: Inviting residents, donors, and partners to co-create solutions, amplify leadership, and strengthen civic pride.
Lift 2.0 is not just about programs—it’s about a culture of empowerment. We are investing in people, systems, and partnerships that ensure West Lakes remains a neighborhood where every child, family, and resident has the tools, resources, and support to thrive.
This vision comes alive through the We Lift Orlando movement, a bold, community-powered initiative harnessing the generosity of Central Florida’s business leaders, foundations, and individual donors to create measurable, lasting change. Every donor can lift a neighborhood. Whether through a $2,500 annual gift or a multi-million-dollar investment, partners help drive outcomes like:
Reducing childhood poverty by 37% in our target zip code
Increasing median household income by $10,000
Generating up to $50,000 per child in public benefit savings through education, safety, and health
Over the last decade, Lift Orlando and its partners have invested over $120 million in West Lakes—a community of roughly 4,000 residents, including hundreds of children and families. That averages about $3,000 per person per year to sustain a comprehensive ecosystem of transformation:
High-quality early learning programs
Support for K–8 community schools
Affordable and mixed-income housing
Health and wellness services
Economic mobility programs for adults and families
[Images: New aerial shots of the community]