The new Holden Heights Community Center located at 1201 20th Street is not waiting to serve as a beacon of hope to make a significant change in the community. Under the leadership of Revs. James Watkins, Larry Williams and Sharon Wiley, the Holden Heights Neighborhood Association and the Front Porch Team with the support of both City of Orlando and Orange County Governments are identifying action steps to address critical needs and problems in the neighborhood. By developing action plans and tasks, the work groups are moving forward with practical steps that can change the face and trajectory of the community.
On Thursday evening January 7, 2016, there was a diverse group of 50 community leaders, county leaders, grassroots folks, Commissioner Sam Ings, Superintendent Barbara Jenkins, School Board Member Kat Gordon and others, who sat down to discuss a plan for the rejuvenation of Holden Heights. Everyone at the meeting was aware that this is a monumental project, but the first step starts by taking it.
There are five work group sessions or teams, and each attendee decided the area of which they would become a member. The five key work groups were as follows: 1) Landscaping, Beautification, Streets and Drainage, 2) Crime and Public Policy, 3) Community Facilities, Education, and Family Services, 4) Economic Development and Job Creation, and 5) Housing and Code Enforcement.
At this meeting each work group has begun to identify and prioritize the issues and concerns developed at the first meeting. Under each area there were action categories and the team members would appoint a number to the importance of each category. Under Crime and Public Safety, there were sub-categories such as Neighborhood Watch, Create a drug free area, Improve security at the parks, and speeding. This was done at every work group area, and there were excellent ideas, which will need to be executed by the entire group.
The teams worked extremely hard and it was very inspiring to see so many people caring and wanting to be change agents in the community. The new Holden Heights Community Center is a beautiful facility, and the manger –Claudette Grubbs and her staff stand available to rent out space and be utilized as a meeting place. If you are interested in getting involved in the improvement of the community, the next meeting is February 4, 2016, at 6:00 pm and the phone number is 407-836-6730. For more information about the facility call 407-836-6777.
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