It's All in a Name
One of Lift Orlando’s primary roles as Community Quarterback in West Lakes is to amplify the voice and will of residents. This can be done in a variety of ways, from yearly community-wide surveys to funding resident-led initiatives and programming. When construction began on the health and wellness center in late 2021, Lift Orlando desired to find every opportunity to invite residents into the planning and execution of a unique project meant to serve every member of the neighborhood. And the final name needed to be a reflection of the strong community within which it would be sitting.
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Take a Walk In the Park
The Winnie Palmer Nature Walk at Lake Lorna Doone Park circles the lake and is marked by native plants, bustling wildlife and more for residents and families to enjoy!
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Just Putt-ing Through
Having a hard time getting a tee time at Bay Hill? Lake Lorna Doone Park has a solution!
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Three Cheers for West Lakes!
As the Community Quarterback in West Lakes, Lift Orlando is a convener, listener, air traffic control tower, and a solution finder for residents and partners alike. In 2021, we rallied Orlando's ultimate female Quarterbacks and asked them to invest in the Communities of West Lakes with us.
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Prosperity for All
In 2018, Lift Orlando and Goodwill Industries of Central Florida partnered to develop the West Lakes financial Wellbeing Center. Powered by Truist and additionally supported by the Fairwinds Foundation, The Financial Wellbeing has traditionally offered one-on-one financial counseling and financial literacy workshops. Serving more than 300 residents since its creation the Financial Wellbeing Center is a key partner in Lift Orlando’s economic viability strategy.
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Turning the Page Together
In 2020, we saw our nation’s schools thrown into chaos as teachers pivoted to online teaching and families transitioned to having their children learning from home. Schools in lower-income neighborhoods were hit even harder as they saw large staff turnover and struggled to locate and engage students as the pandemic continued. Technology gaps, funding needs, and burnout persisted. But 2021 was a rebuilding year for schools as they got to work on addressing the “COVID Slide”.
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Lake Lorna Doone Park Grand Reopening
For generations, Lake Lorna Doone Park has been a jewel at the center of the neighborhoods west of downtown Orlando. Through the decades the park saw a flurry of activity, as families of color put down roots in the area and the community flourished. However, after decades of use with little modernization, the park no longer resembled the lively place of relaxation it had once been.
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Say Hello to The West Lakes District
In 2021 the West Lakes District became an official part of the thriving Orlando Market Street program. A part of the Main Street America™ Coordinating Program, Orlando Market Streets help to lead a powerful, grassroots network consisting of over 40 Coordinating Programs in Orlando committed to creating high-quality places and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. Lift Orlando was proud to provide the newly formed West Lakes District with the funds needed to activate the City of Orlando’s matching grant for new Market Street programs.
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Breaking Ground: The Heart of West Lakes
Seven years in the making, The Heart of West Lakes Wellness Center will truly be a holistic facility, creating spaces where all neighbors can connect, learn and thrive together.
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Step Up to the Barre
At the helm of the Performing Arts program at the Bradley-Otis Club is Heidi Yancey. To most of the students at the Bradley-Otis Club, she is simply Ms. Heidi, known for being loving and tough and a whole lot of fun. But what the kids don’t know is Ms. Heidi is not your average dance instructor.
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A Club Like No Other
First-grader, Malia, entered her first day at the Club a little anxious and nervous about a new environment. Bradley-Otis staffer, Ms. Arantxa, knew just how to put her at ease and spent extra time with Malia in her early days, quickly putting her at ease and giving her the confidence she needed to take advantage of all of the innovative and exciting amenities of the Club.
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More Than A Home
Latasha Ross was a part of the inaugural group of families that moved into the complex in 2018. Since then, she has taken advantage of the many opportunities available to residents. She and her two children feel blessed to live in a community that values high-quality facilities as well as resident wellbeing and success. Over the years, Latasha has attended first-time homeowner workshops and other classes offered by the community.
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