HUD Secretary Ben Carson Tours the South Orlando YMCA, a Future EnVision Center
The location will be the 45th EnVision Center and the first YMCA to be named an EnVision Center

ORLANDO, FL - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson Friday traveled to the South Orlando YMCA in Orlando, FL to tour the location, which has been designated the site of a future HUD EnVision Center. While there, Secretary Carson spoke with YMCA Central Florida CEO Dan Wilcox and YMCA District Executive Director Jocelyn Boyd about how the YMCA has responded and adapted to the impact of coronavirus, the resources offered to the community through in-house programs, and the recent, partial reopening of the facility for childcare services.

“Coronavirus created challenges for community centers to continue to serve residents while also taking necessary steps to prevent the spread of the virus. The YMCA of South Orlando has reopened thanks to support from the community and utilized its resources to provide residents with no-cost childcare, so parents are able to go to work knowing their child is in a safe and healthy environment,” said Secretary Ben Carson.

“The South Orlando YMCA continues to uplift and provide for residents of the community. This will be further highlighted when the facility becomes an EnVision Center and is able to continue wrap-around services for children and families. The future holds great things for the South Orlando YMCA.”

The South Orlando YMCA Family Center is a 23,149 square foot facility serving as a community hub located in South Orlando. Throughout the year, the YMCA offers youth development programs, swim lessons, summer day camp, often serving as a haven for at risk children and youth living in this fragile socioeconomic community. The South Orlando YMCA has been designated as an EnVision Center and will implement the four pillars of HUD’s national EnVision Center initiative through economic empowerment, educational advancement, health and wellness, and character and leadership.

A national initiative, HUD’s EnVision Centers coordinate with federal partners to empower all people to fulfill their potential by providing the tools needed to succeed.