MARCH 2018
Greetings,

Vibrant neighborhoods and our robust economy play an important role in our quality of life and are a cornerstone of Orange County's Sustainability Plan, "Our Home for Life."

From our community's strong culture of collaboration to our beautiful nature trails and a variety of entertainment options, we continue to nurture and grow Orange County as the best place in the world to live, work and raise a family.

Some of our best-kept secrets are the amenities maintained by Orange County Parks and Recreation, including our fully accessible playgrounds, sports facilities, beautiful lakes and open green spaces. During spring break, many local residents enjoyed picnics at Cypress Grove Park's lakeside gazebos and splashed around at Rock Springs in Kelly Park. We continue to invest in neighborhoods, our transformational economy, and thriving natural environment to ensure that Orange County will continue to prosper for generations to come.

This month, I enjoyed spending time with our future generation of leaders at my seventh annual Youth Leadership Conference. During the event, local high school students participated in a series of workshops and learned how their local county government functions. I am truly inspired by this generation. They are eager to understand the issues that impact their lives, peers and community.

Our focus on the future continues to expand with the recently launched Orange County Leadership, Employment and Development Success program (OCFL LEADS), an exciting pilot that includes the participation of select Orange County Public Schools and a partnership with CareerSource Central Florida.  This summer internship program will assist in engaging students and connect them with a talented network of professionals and our growing vocational workforce.

To learn more about these initiatives and our accomplishments in Orange County, please join me at the 2018 State of the County Address on Friday, May 18, at 4 p.m. at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. To reserve your seat, please register at www.ocfl.net/SOC18.

As always, I thank you for staying connected with your local government and for making Orange County the best place to live, work and raise a family.

Sincerely,
Teresa Jacobs
Orange County Mayor
In This Issue
 
Hundreds Attend Opening of Deputy Scott Pine Community Park scottpine
 

Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs joined the community at the opening and dedication of Deputy Scott Pine Community Park in Windermere on February 10, 2018.

Deputy Pine's widow, Bridget Pine, and their children, Haley, Ryker and Maddox, as well as family members, dignitaries and guests attended the ceremony, honoring the legacy of Deputy Pine. February 11 marked the four-year anniversary of Deputy Pine's line of duty death. Learn more>
  Mayor Jacobs Named 2017 Public Servant of the Year by the 
Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association award
 

Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs was recently recognized as the 2017 "Public Servant of the Year" by the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association (CFHLA) for her leadership in local government and support and advancement of hospitality and tourism in the region. Learn more>

Since the beginning of 2018, the Orange County Sheriff's Office has responded to more than 156 heroin-related overdoses, resulting in at least nine deaths. The statistics confirm a startling trend, one that parallels reports from across the nation from law enforcement and medical examiners. In an effort to curb what is a public health crisis in some communities, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs and Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings launched emergency preventive measures within one Orange County community where overdoses have been on the rise.  Learn more>
Great Oaks Village Helps Children in 
Foster Care  Establish New Roots greatoaks


For 93 years, Orange County has been home to Great Oaks Village (GOV), one of the most historic residential foster group homes for children and young adults in the state. Most people driving by the campus of small quaint cottages and large Florida oak trees just outside downtown Orlando would never know that GOV is home to as many as 60 children, teens and young adults on any given day. Children come to Great Oaks Village for many different reasons, but they all share one thing in common - circumstances beyond their control led them to a place of safety and protection outside of their family homes. Learn more>
News Worth Noting noticias
Inspired by our 2018 Youth Leadership Conference participants, including the students at Boone High School, Mayor Teresa Jacobs and Orange County Government stood united with students from Orange County and throughout the nation in support of the National School Walkout on March 14. Divisions across the County joined in the national movement honoring and remembering the 17 lives lost at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. 
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Orange County's Don't Pitch It, Fix It! event - on Saturday, April 21, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Blanchard Park YMCA - gives residents the opportunity to have broken items repaired by local businesses, keeping them out of landfills. Repair volunteers will try to fix eyeglasses, watches, clocks, shoes, jewelry, clothing, lamps, tools, electronics, bicycles and small appliances. For information and to volunteer, visit www.ocfl.net/DontPitchItFixIt
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