Foundation for Orange County Public Schools Lunch and Learn Recap

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Investing in Our Children, Strengthening Our Community: Foundation for Orange County Public Schools Lunch and Learn Recap

On Wednesday, September 2, Light Orlando had the opportunity to gather with community leaders and nonprofit partners for our latest Lunch & Learn, hosted at the Orange County School District Headquarters in Downtown Orlando.

This month, we learned more about the Foundation for Orange County Public Schools (FOCPS) and the many ways the organization works to invest in students, educators, schools and the broader Central Florida community.

Community Nonprofit Leaders from Central Florida Gather at The Light Orlando Lunch and Learn Hosted by the Foundation for Orange County Public Schools

Investing in Our Most Precious Resource

During the Lunch & Learn, we heard from Debbie Pedraza, Executive Director of the Foundation for Orange County Public Schools, who shared the Foundation's purpose and the importance of investing in local students.

“Our purpose is investing in our children to strengthen our entire community. And our kids are our most precious resource.”

The Foundation works to secure resources, time, talent and financial support to help ensure schools have what they need for students to reach their greatest potential.

And there are many ways for community members to be part of that work, including volunteering, making a gift, applying for grants, or collaborating with the Foundation to create new ideas and programs.

Creating Opportunities for Students

One of the programs highlighted was Read2Succeed, an enrichment program that pairs struggling first- and second-grade readers with trained volunteers for one-on-one tutoring during the school day.

Volunteers meet with students for 30–60 minutes each week, focusing on vocabulary, comprehension and fluency while helping students build confidence and develop a lifelong love of reading. Last year, Read2Succeed engaged nearly 5,000 students across the district.

The Foundation also provides Teacher Impact Grants, supporting educators as they turn innovative classroom ideas into hands-on learning experiences. Grants can support projects involving STEM, arts and culture, literacy, conservation, technology and more.

From helping a student become a stronger reader to giving a teacher the resources to bring an innovative idea to life, these programs demonstrate how community support can create opportunities inside the classroom.

There Are Many Ways to Get Involved

The OCPS Alumni Network is just one of the many ways to get involved with the Foundation for Orange County Public Schools

The Foundation's work extends well beyond individual programs.

Through the ADDitions School Volunteer program, community members can support students and teachers through opportunities such as Read2Succeed, Teach-In presentations, events and mentoring. The Foundation reports that more than 78,600 individuals have contributed their time and talents through thousands of volunteer opportunities.

Businesses and organizations can also become Partners in Education, sharing their time and resources with schools. There are currently more than 5,600 partnerships throughout Orange County, providing more than 1,370 give-back opportunities.

Other opportunities include supporting school pantries, adopting a school, donating school supplies, contributing to scholarships, supporting specific programs and making corporate gifts.

The message is simple: there is a place for everyone to make an impact. The Impact Can Last a Lifetime.

Light Orlando Lunch and Learn Attendee shares powerful story of Hope in Action

Perhaps one of the most meaningful moments of our Lunch & Learn came when an attendee shared his personal experience with the group. He spoke about how programs like those offered through the Foundation helped him turn his life around after he and his mother experienced homelessness and significant hardship. Today, he is able to share his story from a very different place in life.

For those gathered in the room, it was a powerful reminder that the work of supporting students is about more than providing resources in the moment. The right support, opportunity and connection can have an impact that lasts well beyond the classroom. Investing in the Future, Together.

At Light Orlando, we believe that meaningful community impact happens when organizations, businesses, schools, faith communities and individuals come together around shared goals. Our Lunch & Learn with the Foundation for Orange County Public Schools was another opportunity to learn, connect and discover how we can better support the organizations doing important work throughout Central Florida.

Thank you to Debbie Pedraza and the Foundation for Orange County Public Schools for welcoming our community and sharing more about the ways we can invest our time, talents and resources in the students and schools of Orange County.