On May 13th, 2021, the staff and Board of Directors of the United Foundation of Central Florida (UFCF), Inc. held a Grand Opening for their brand new location. Affectionately known as the "Solutions Center" the new center will operate as a Hub for the foundation and its programming including but not limited to After-School Programming, Food Pantry/Distribution, STEAM Education, and other holistic resources for the positive development of the family. Additionally, the new center will help provide access to jobs, training, scholarship opportunities by taking a holistic approach.
Under the leadership of Executive Director, Sandra Fatmi-Hall The United Foundation which provides after school enrichment and mentoring program that has been around for the last 6+ years proudly serving the students at Evans High School. Fatmi-Hall attributes the success of the program by being able to pivot and provide solutions. While other programs may focus on the areas of academics and sports when working with youth, UFCF places its emphasis on the well-being of the child including their mental health and family surroundings.
Fatmi-Hall, who has a servant's heart, prides herself on being busy. It was that "heart" that led to her joining the Caribbean Chamber of Commerce, when she first moved to the central Florida area over 12 years ago, eventually becoming the President of the organization. Her community connections while working at companies such as SunTrust led her to the Pine Hills community where she would constantly hear negative stories about the youth in the neighborhood, especially at Evans High School where at the time, the graduation rate was around 50 percent. This didn't sit right with her and she was determined to make a change...create solutions!
UFCF currently operates three main programs including Future Leaders United an after-school mentoring and enrichment program that has graduated 119 students. The educational scholarship program which helps to pay for graduates to go to college has provided over $100K in scholarships to students and another $15K to support participants in college. The third focus area is food insecurity which the organization does through successful food drives that serve families in the Pine Hills community. To date, the initiative which was launched a year ago in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic has served over 900,000 meals with help from organizations including Second Harvest and Feed The Need.
With the graduation rate at Evans High school at 97%, a reduction in crime rates, and accolades from Orange County Public Schools with Fatmi-Hall receiving the Outstanding Adult Volunteer Award you can rest assured that whatever new problems may arise, she will find a solution.
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