City of Orlando

Heroes Among Us: City Lifeguards Save a Life! City lifeguards play a crucial role in keeping our community safe, and Alexis Castillo and Ainsley Strobeck recently showed just how vital their training is. When a swimmer lost consciousness at Wadeview Pool, they immediately reacted, remained calm and performed CPR until first responders arrived.?? Because of their quick response and composure, they helped save a life. Mayor Buddy Dyer and District 4 Commissioner Patty Sheehan, along with the community and lifeguard trainers, honored Alexis and Ainsley with a special proclamation. We’re incredibly thankful for dedicated public servants like them who embody care, courage, and compassion every day.

Celebrating Orlando's Olympic Medalist This summer, Omari Jones inspired our country and community at the Olympics. A Valencia College student, he claimed a bronze to become the only U.S. boxer to win a medal in Paris. To recognize his impressive accomplishment, Mayor Dyer presented Omari with something unique: the first "Glove to the City." Omari has been incredibly active and engaged in our community, despite his young age. As a student at Edgewater High School, he was recognized as an Orlando Mayor’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Commission Youth Humanitarian for his leadership and advocacy, which included mentoring elementary school children. Our community is proud of his success and thankful for his involvement. We can’t wait to see Omari’s impact in the future, both in the ring and throughout Orlando.

Orlando – where athleticism and technology meet We're taking part in cutting edge technology in our own backyard. At the Orlando Tennis Centre, motion capture AI and high-speed cameras are helping players elevate their game.? The advanced system captures data on players’ serving mechanics and body positioning, providing an in-depth analysis in real time. This gives participants personalized guidance to pinpoint exact areas for improvement, and they can track their progress with an archive of past sessions.?? With Orlando's continually growing tech scene, being able to provide our residents with innovative amenities goes beyond just being a tech hub for talent and companies. We're proud to be at the forefront of tennis training that help residents reach their full potential.?

We’re proud to support Block n’ Lock, an innovative local company bringing fresh ideas to life with their mortar-less interlocking concrete blocks. Located in the Lorna Doone neighborhood, Block n’ Lock is on a mission to build low-cost, sustainable structures and homes right here in our community. As one of their first clients, we’re using their groundbreaking technology to create a garden structure at one of our urban farms—aligning perfectly with our city’s commitment to sustainability and food resilience. Block n’ Lock is also a proud alumnus of Rally, a social enterprise accelerator that we partner with to help entrepreneurs like Joshua, David, and Saul turn their impactful ideas into sustainable businesses that drive positive change. Let’s support local innovation and celebrate our community’s commitment to creating a better future!?

Celebrating Honey Month with Orlando’s First Full-Time Beekeeper! ?? We’re buzzing with excitement to celebrate the impact of honey bees and their incredible role in our environment. At the heart of this effort is Tuesday Piper, our first full-time beekeeper. She dedicates her days to maintaining three apiaries across the city—Fire Station 1, Fire Station 2 and McQuigg Farm—housing a total of 10 beehives! She shares her passion by educating our young residents on the science and art of beekeeping, collaborating with students from the Engelwood Kids Zone and over 20 graduates of the Black Bee Honey program. Her work helps inspire the next generation to protect our precious pollinators! Thank you, Tuesday, for your commitment to building a sustainable and bee-friendly Orlando.

April Taylor Graduates from FEMA’s Advanced Academy Congratulations to April Taylor, FPEM, CEM, Deputy Emergency Manager in the Office of Emergency Management, who recently graduated from a four-week FEMA Emergency Management Institute Advanced Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland. "It's an honor to represent my peers and the field of Emergency Management!" April said. She found the process challenging but was grateful for the opportunity. April was also selected as the class speaker for the graduation ceremony, and her paper presentation earned 2nd place and will soon be published. We're thankful for her dedication to keeping the city safe for both our employees and the community, ensuring we are all better equipped to handle emergencies effectively.

In partnership with the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority: Orlando International (MCO) and Executive (ORL) Airports we're proud to present Words & Wonders: Flight Edition—an exhibition celebrating the poetry of flight and travel. Curated by City of Orlando Poet Laureate Shawn Welcome, the exhibit showcases 12 original poems selected from over 150 community submissions. Don’t miss your chance to experience this unique exhibit before it takes off on September 2! Visit Level 3, Terminals A/B, Community Wall.

Every Day in Orlando is National Dog Day We're proud that Orlando is a welcoming community for every person... and their four-legged friends.

We're making significant strides in addressing some of Orlando's most pressing challenges, thanks to federal funding. Through the Accelerate Orlando initiative, we're channeling $58 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to combat homelessness, increase affordable housing, and close the digital access gap. Last week, the City Council approved crucial funding to renovate and expand the (Pathlight HOME) Pathways Drop-in Center, which offers vital services to our unsheltered community members. We also secured funding to continue the successful RUSH (Rapid Unsheltered Survivor Housing) program in partnership with the Christian Service Center for Central Florida. This program will move at least 20 individuals, focusing on families in the Parramore area, from the streets into permanent housing. In addition, we're bridging the digital divide by installing 12 more 'tables of connection'—small resilience hubs providing free Wi-Fi, shade, and backup power in neighborhoods with limited internet access. These initiatives underscore our commitment to building a more inclusive and supportive Orlando, tackling our toughest challenges head-on with the power of federal resources. Visit https://lnkd.in/eiEPNbjU to learn more.

Celebrating 5 Years of Sweet Success! We’re proud to celebrate the 5-year partnership between Black Bee Honey and Grand Bohemian Orlando. Founded in 2017 by students from Parramore Kidz Zone, this entrepreneurship program, operated by the Orlando Community and Youth Trust, is transforming communities like Parramore and Holden Heights from food deserts into thriving food sources. It’s more than just honey; it’s about empowering our youth. Our students are doing incredible work—harvesting, bottling, and selling honey locally, with proceeds funding scholarships that support their educational goals. Their hard work has also made the Black Bee Honey Cheesecake the #1 dessert at The Boheme since 2019. Now, you can taste the sweetness of their success—literally! Want to support these young entrepreneurs further?Visit blackbeehoneyhq.com to learn more and see how you can contribute to their mission.