OCTOBER 2006 - Luncheon Press Release

Luncheon Focuses on Improving Lives & Reducing Crime in Central Florida. On Thursday, November 2^nd The Central Florida Dream Center is having its annual fundraising luncheon.  This event will be from 11:45 am to 1:00 pm at the Sanford Civic Center on the beautiful St. Johns Waterfront.  The keynote speaker will be John Stemberger, President of Florida Family Policy Council out of Tallahassee.  Mr. Stemberger will speak about “Returning to the Foundations”.  Proceeds from the luncheon will assist in furthering the mission of the Central Florida Dream Center.   

Luncheon sponsors include Metric Engineering, Commercial Lighting & Electrical, Beef O’Brady’s, Kitchens by Antonio, Faith City Fellowship, Sanford Kiwanis, Spanio & Associates, James A. Watkins Avion Jet, Luke Transportation, Pohl & Short, PA, Wekiva Assembly, DRMP, GMB, Wharton-Smith and more.  The event will be staffed with volunteers of the Seminole County Community Volunteer Program

Located in the heart of inner-city Sanford where crime, abuse, and poverty run rampant this faith-based, non-profit organization is providing a glimmer of hope for individuals who are truly interested in improving their lives.  The Center does not believe in a “hand-out”, but rather a “hand-up”.  The goal of the Center is to empower individuals and families to self-sufficiency. 

Currently, in the inner-city Sanford community 9 out of 10 families are fatherless.  To give significance to this statistic, here are some disturbing facts:

• 90% of runaway children are from fatherless homes
• 71% of high school drop-outs are from fatherless homes
• 85% of youth in prison are from fatherless homes
• 90% of inmates on death row are from fatherless homes

Modeled after the L.A. Dream Center, the CFDC has the potential to reduce crime by 80% in inner-city Sanford.  Businesses and individuals are invited to join the Dream Center and make a difference in Central Florida.

SEPTEMBER 2006 - Website & Restructuring

There are a lot of changes happening at The Central Florida Dream Center.  A new website was launched earlier this month through the volunteer design services of Xcellimark of Orlando.

On Sunday, September 10^th, Dale Cody (Vice President of Traffic Operations & ITS at Metric Engineering in Winter Park) accepted the position of Chairman of the Board.  This begins a restructuring phase designed to facilitate the expansion of the Dream Center’s community outreach program and the renovation of the Dream Center’s 46,000 square foot warehouse.

 The warehouse facility is a future one stop mall of hope to impoverished families.  Currently the Dream Center provides mentoring sessions, computer and job skills assistance for adults as well as after school programs (tutoring, character lessons, writing, & computer skills), and block parties for the kids.   The renovated facility will attract more at-risk kids with its proposed basketball court and room for additional activity oriented programs and after school programs. The Central Florida Dream Center was founded by Paul Benjamin in 2002 with the mission to empower families and individuals to self-sufficiency.  Located in the heart of inner-city Sanford where crime, abuse, and poverty run rampant this 501C-3 organization is providing a glimmer of hope for individuals who are truly interested in improving their lives.  

JULY 2006 - Summer Lunch Program

The Central Florida Dream Center will be holding a Summer Lunch Program to provide lunches & activities for children within walking distance to their inner-city Sanford facility.  This 6 week program will be held from Monday, June 19^th to Friday, July 28^th and take place from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM each weekday.  The program will provide lunch, educational games, and character lessons.