Via-DisneyParksBlog
Every child deserves a space where they feel comfortable and safe, which is why we’re honored to join Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida for the grand opening of its newly renovated youth center which was built with the help of a $100,000 Disney grant.
“With Disney’s support over the years, we’ve been able to broaden resident programs, offer opportunities for families to create new happy memories, and now, provide a special place for our students to decompress,” said Allison Krall, President and CEO of Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida. “Seeing their faces today when they entered the center for the first time filled my heart, and I’m so grateful to Disney for helping us do this for them.”
In addition to nearly doubling in size, the space has been completely transformed with custom-built furniture, fresh paint and bright murals, new infrastructure, upgraded technology and more.
This continues our more than 20-year legacy of supporting the organization, and over that time, we’ve given nearly $2.5 million in cash and in-kind donations to help in its mission to transform the lives of Central Florida residents in need.
“I’m proud to be part of a company that places great emphasis on making positive impacts for our neighbors and the organizations that support them,” said Erin Youngs, Vice President of Experience Engineering & Enablement at Walt Disney World and Coalition for the Homeless Board Member. “I’m humbled to serve on the Board of Directors at the Coalition and join them in their mission to transform lives, and this new center is a testament to that.”
Giving back to our community has remained a top priority for us over the course of our more than 50-year history in Central Florida, and this latest effort joins Disney’s long legacy of supporting the people and places around us.
During the 50th Anniversary celebration alone, we’ve given more than $6 million in grants and have supported 60+ nonprofits through programs like Disney VoluntEARS which enables cast members to donate their time and talents to local organizations in need.
One of the very first initiatives I participated in when I joined the company was our annual Thanksgiving meal service at Coalition for the Homeless as a VoluntEAR, so this organization has been close to my heart from the start – it was a full circle moment seeing its new youth center officially open!
For more details on the work we’re doing in our community, visit DisneyWorldGivesBack.com.
