Pine Hills effort has roots in Rosen's Tangelo Park push

By Darryl Owens (Orlando Sentinel)

It wasn't long after native New Yorker Sandra Fatmi moved to Pine Hills that she realized her adopted home wasn't running on all cylinders.

Two years ago, she turned to Google for ways to tune up her embattled community just west of Orlando.

Fatmi was surprised to discover that what she had in mind lay right under her nose. More precisely, 10 miles south in Tangelo Park, where a successful businessman's desire to give back helped give hundreds hope in a community gripped with crime and poor prospects.

So Fatmi called the architect of the Tangelo Park Project for guidance. Speaking to hotelier Harris Rosen confirmed her gut feeling.

In February, with Tangelo as the guide, Fatmi and others launched the nonprofit United Foundation of Central Florida Inc. to shepherd Pine Hills' version of prevention through early intervention.

It's said imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. For Pine Hills, which has long battled high crime, low expectations and governmental indifference, imitation may be the surest way to save its soul.

"We have an interest in Pine Hills not being called 'Crime Hills' anymore and to continue on a positive path," says Fatmi, 47, a former banker-turned-event-management entrepreneur.

Yeah, yeah, I hear ya. Yet another effort to revitalize Pine Hills. Pastors have labored to rally the community flock against violence, while splintered efforts at mentoring have chipped away at the problem.

Turnarounds like this need periodic infusions of verve to bolster persistence. Fatmi abounds with verve. More important, she owns the good sense not to waste time drawing up a new reclamation plan when a winning blueprint exists.

"Our dream goal has always been to see this program replicated," Rosen lamented at a recent Tangelo Park Program board meeting. "We haven't been very successful in having it replicated."

What an inexplicable shame.

Back in 1993, Tangelo Park was a largely African-American neighborhood beset by crime and low expectations. But Rosen's promise to cover every Tangelo Park student's college tuition drove a muscular private-public community partnership, buoyed by church, school and civic involvement.

All toddlers received preschool. Moms and dads received parenting classes or vocational training. As a result, crime plunged, and the neighborhood has become more neighborly. Preschool programs benefited more than 647 tots. And the capper: 300 students have earned scholarships.

Fatmi is not alone in her excitement at the prospect of duplicating those results.

"Replication of Mr. Rosen's Tangelo Park project is an admirable goal that will require long-term commitment of resources including quality home day care and college scholarships," says Orange County Schools Superintendent Barbara Jenkins, who has spoken with Fatmi. "We welcome the efforts of community members demonstrating they care about the success of our students."

Pine Hills, with more than 64,000 residents, dwarfs Tangelo Park. Thus, the foundation plans a modest start. It's targeted the three-school zone of Rolling Hills Elementary, Meadowbrook Middle School and Evans High school as ground zero. The foundation will track kids' ascent through the system from preschool to college.

Like Rosen, Fatmi's instincts are on target.

As the Urban Child Institute notes, "Genes provide a blueprint for the brain, but a child's environment and experiences carry out the construction."

The effort already boasts one leg of Rosen's strategy: a neighborhood mecca with Evans Community School, which melds social and health services and scholarship.

But the foundation lacks a fat wallet. Rosen so far has invested $10.2 million in Tangelo Park. He hasn't promised a financial stake in Tangelo 2.0.

At least not yet.

To fill the war chest, the foundation hosts a fundraising gala Saturday at Rosen Plaza Hotel, at which Rosen will speak (for more information, visit unitedfoundationcf.org). Proceeds will fund a planned January incursion into preschools to gauge their quality and stoke parental enthusiasm.

"I am aware of some of the failed attempts and efforts," Fatmi says, "but I'm determined to find the tools to push this through."

In the midst of wearying revival, success can look a long way off. Hopefully, Fatmi will remember she only need look 10 miles down the road to see that a community that commits to rolling up its sleeves can make life-altering change happen.

Sisaundra Lewis from "The Voice" to perform at UFCF Gala

"The Voice" Season 6 contestant added to live entertainment for the first annual Red Carpet Under the Stars Fundraising Gala

Photo Credit: www.sisaundralive.com

Sisaundra Lewis is an American singer, songwriter and producer from Haines City, Florida. She was a contestant on season 6 of the US series "The Voice" as a member of Blake Shelton's team.

Sisaundra started her career with Grammy and Oscar Award winner Peabo Bryson, who invited her to tour the world with him as a backing vocalist and his new duet partner. Her acquaintance with Mr. Bryson led to a worldwide tour with Grammy and Oscar Award winner, Celine Dion. She spent several years working with Ms. Dion as her backing vocalist, vocal director and choreographer.

Her powerful voice can be heard in national commercials for Folgers Coffee, Sprite, Slimfast, Doublemint Gum, Sears, Arby’s, Ziploc Bags, Coppertone, and Dr. Pepper. Her debut single on Global Records, “SHOUT”, hit the Billboard Hot Dance Club Charts its first week and immediately climbed to #1. Sisaundra also co-wrote and performs the tune “Emotional” on Grammy nominated and platinum recording artist, Najee’s, new contemporary jazz release titled My Point of View – which debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Chart.
 

Sisaundra has shared the same stage and/or recorded with other noted artist such as Michael Bolton, George Duke, Sheila E., Gloria Estefan, Enrique Iglesias, Janet Jackson, Patti LaBelle, Kenny Lattimore, Nana Mouskouri and Najee. Her producer/writer credits include work with Gordon Chambers, Sean Puff Daddy Combs, Emilio Estefan, David Foster, Phil Galdston, Marvin Hamlisch, Tony Hemmings, Loris Holland, Tony Moran, Rohan Reid, Jim Steinman, Sting, Ric Wake and Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber. She is also a featured performer in Cirque du Soleil’s production of La Nouba.

Sisaundra Lewis is the featured Narrator of Oscar Nominated documentary, Sustaining Life. Her rich enrapturing voice guides us through the important messages of hope and survival present throughout the film. From the very beginning her unrivaled talent, and passion for helping others, made Sisaundra the perfect character to unite the creativity behind the film with the young viewers of our generation. Combining both a glorious vocal instrument and performance skills that are truly an amazing gift, she approaches her love for music with an incredible assurance. (Bio courtesy of www.sisaundralive.com)

Musical entertainment for the evening will be provided by DJ Phayz of Vibrant Soundz, 506 Crew Band, and singing from the sensational Lee C. Lizandro (from Puerto Rico). The attire for this red carpet affair is formal, and the donation is $100.00. There will be a silent auction and cocktail hour from 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm. The Board of Directors and volunteers of UFCF appreciate the communities’ assistance in becoming a positive change agent.

For more information, visit us at www.unitedfoundationcf.org

United Foundation sets it's sights on duplicating the Tangelo Park program...

Contact – Sandra Fatmi - (770) 789-7004

UNITED FOUNDATION SETS IT’S SIGHTS ON DUPLICATING THE TANGELO PARK PROGRAM IN A SECTION OF PINE HILLS...HARRIS ROSEN IS THE CONFIRMED KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT KICKOFF FUNDRAISER ON SATURDAY, JULY 26, 2014 

ORLANDO, FL:  United Foundation of Central Florida, Inc., (UFCF) a non-profit public foundation focused on early intervention, leading to prevention, announced plans to duplicate the successful Harris Rosen Tangelo Park Program in a section of Pine Hills. UFCF’s Board of Directors answered the communities concerns to provide proven solutions, by researching programs that work to clean up communities. The Tangelo Park Program is one of the most successful to date. It was a natural choice for the foundation, with a mission to partner with existing programs to positively transform communities through early intervention and education. The results of the Tangelo Park Program left Tangelo Park residents with job creation (a decrease in unemployment), a graduation rate increase from 20% to 100%, crime reduction and increase in family unity.

With the foundation’s focus on Early Intervention, it’s important that as a community we understand that the quality of your child’s life during the first five years will set the stage for future learning and success.  Ninety percent of a child’s brain is developed before the age of 5. Within those early years it’s important that our children get the same educational opportunities across the country. Statistics provided by the Florida Department of Education show that one third of Orange County children are unprepared for kinder garden. In 2012, one in six Orange County public elementary schools started with 50 percent of the kindergarten identified as “not ready.” One of the most important decisions you will ever make as a parent, is choosing quality child care for your child.

To support this initiative - We invite you to attend our Spectacular Red Carpet Evening under the Stars Fundraising GALA at the Elegant Rosen Plaza Hotel on Saturday, July 26th 2014, from 7pm to 2am. Mr. Harris Rosen, President and COO of the Rosen Hotels and Resorts, will be our keynote speaker. Our MC for the evening is Vanessa Echols of WFTV Channel 9 News. It's slated to be a Spectacular evening focused on helping to continue making a difference. Confirmed entertainment for the evening will be provided by International artist Lee C. Lizandro from Puerto Rico, and Cezar from Jamaica, with more names to be added. Cocktail and Silent Auction is from 7pm – 8pm. Our musical entertainment will be provided by DJ Phayz of Vibrant Soundz and the 506 Crew Band. The Attire is Formal. Donation is $100.00. Ticket sales end at midnight on July 19th 2014.

We would like to thank our Sponsors – Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery and Grill, Taste of Jamaica Restaurant, Caribbean Sunshine Bakery, The Golding Law Group, PLC., Caribbean Super Center, Caribbean American Passport News Magazine, Soiree Event and Conference Center, PS Freight and Shipping Services, Vibrant Soundz Entertainment, Tax Preparer - Winston Moxey, Full-A-Vybez, Inc., WOKB 1680AM, Island Beat – 1220AM and The Rosen Plaza Hotel

Now that you’ve heard this insightful information, continue to be an advocate for early intervention and education in your communities by getting involved (sign up to be a volunteer), participate in local events that support early intervention, and encourage your co-workers and friends to do the same.

For more information on how to get involved, be a sponsor, donate and or purchase tickets, please contact Dennis Hall at 407-929-7477, Gordon Russell at 407-701-3479, Shirley Edwards at 407-497-4197, David Mullings at 954-683-8326, Zanya Lewis at 407-244-6523, Judeen Parkes at 407-437-8776, Alex Lewis at 352-460-3624  or Sandra Fatmi at 770-789-7004.