A life of impact usually starts with steps so small they seem silly; so small that the momentum of our life always seems to carry us away from them. It’s only when we Rally together that we’re able to overcome that momentum, reject our tendency toward apathy and impact our city, world and selves for good.
Downtown Credo is that Rally in Orlando. We focus our impact through four key Partnerships: the downtown and Parramore branches of the Central Florida Boys and Girls Clubs, New Image Youth Center, Green Up Orlando and Keeping Orlando Beautiful.
Boys and Girls Club:
There are a lot of issues on the west side of I-4, lots of things that aren’t yet as they ought to be. It would be easy to get discouraged or overwhelmed. The downtown credo challenges us to reject despair and engage problems knowing that we can make an impact for good. It’s with that in mind that we’ve put our stamp on this little club located inside the Coaltion for the Homeless.
They average about 75-80 club members. These are school-age kids ranging from kindergarten through high-school. Most of them live at the Coalition or in the surrounding neighborhood. The staff of the club are committed to helping these kids navigate a life of tough choices by giving them, “a moral compass.” So we organize events, volunteer to teach classes, and pitch in wherever we can.
Green Up Orlando/Keeping Orlando beautiful:
They don’t call it the city beautiful because it’s dirty, dried up, and dead. We’re not saying it needs to be Disney, but there’s no reason for our trash to be all over our streets moving into our waterways; or for our parks to be neglected and city gardens abandoned. That’s not how it ought to be.
Moved to action by our credo, we’ve put our stamp on two organizations making an impact on that issue: Keeping Orlando Beautiful, and Green Up Orlando. They both work out of City offices on a job that is bigger than their manpower or resources can handle alone. We go where they see the biggest need and organize clean-ups. They provide resources. It’s becoming a super-effective partnership. Go here for the latest projects, and here for what video of a clean-up.
New Image Youth Center
We love their committment to impacting Parramore through authentic relationships with kids. Located at the corner of Parramore and Church, the Center works with an average of 50 kids from 5 to 19yrs old.
Forming a sort of second family for kids, they’re there after school and help with homework, get them involved in scouting, and host holiday events. Kids ought to have an image of themselves that sets them up for success, and the ones that get involved at the New Image Youth Center are given just that.
Our credo has inspired us to help them out.