Thriving Together Collaborative Listening Tour Summary
Table of Contents
In the summer and fall of 2025, Listening Tour sessions were held across Orange County as part of the Thriving Together Collaborative, an initiative of Central Florida Foundation dedicated to advancing engaging nonprofits through community-led projects with a design thinking approach. The Listening Tours elevated resident voices to ensure that future investments and strategies are shaped by those closest to the challenges and opportunities in their neighborhoods.
Across all communities, residents shared a clear message: they care deeply about their neighborhoods and are already leading change, yet continue to face barriers such as rising housing costs, limited transportation, few youth programs, and difficulty accessing basic services. Each conversation, held with residents, grassroots leaders, youth advocates, service providers, and faith-based organizations, highlighted resilience, strong community networks, and a shared commitment to collaborate for lasting solutions.
This summary reflects the voices of residents from Holden Heights, East Winter Garden, Azalea Park, West Orange, and the Parramore community area, and serves as a call to action for philanthropy, local government, and nonprofit partners to invest in community-driven, culturally relevant, and sustained solutions.
Cross-Community Themes
Across all Listening Tour sites, residents voiced a shared commitment to strengthening their neighborhoods through collaboration, leadership, and mutual support. Common priorities included improving access to affordable housing, reliable transportation, and youth engagement opportunities, while addressing barriers such as limited communication, digital access, and inequitable resource distribution. Despite these challenges, every community demonstrated resilience and a strong belief that solutions must be driven by local voices and sustained through partnerships rooted in trust and accountability.
Neighborhood Snapshots
Azalea Park
Spanish language Listening Tour session, co-hosted with Renacer Foundation
The Azalea Park Listening Tour highlighted a vibrant, close-knit community grounded in faith, culture, and mutual support, with residents eager to strengthen connections and address shared challenges together.
- Community Engagement
Residents stay connected through churches and cultural nonprofits that foster belonging and preserve heritage. The Renacer Foundation, led by Father Hoover, unites families, faith leaders, and partners through events and outreach.
- Needs and Barriers
Access to healthcare, mental health support, and reliable information remains limited by cost, language, and fear. Families also face poor internet access, environmental issues, and difficulty navigating U.S. systems.
- Priorities
Residents want more youth programs, better access to services, and stronger collaboration among faith-based and nonprofit groups. Renacer is seen as the key convener to lead these efforts.
- Sentiment
The community expressed pride, faith, and resilience. Despite challenges, there is strong trust in Renacer and optimism for a more connected Azalea Park.
Holden Heights
Co-hosted with Simeon Resource and Development Center for Men
Participants highlighted deep neighborhood roots and active civic involvement led by long-term residents.
- Community Action: Residents attend county meetings, organize advocacy efforts, and share information through churches and local associations.
- Challenges: Lack of affordable youth programs limited public transportation, and fear of displacement as housing costs rise.
- Community Safety: While crime has decreased, residents called for more sheriff visibility and better communication between city and county.
- Priorities: Affordable housing, transportation to the polls, and financial literacy programs for all ages.
East Winter Garden
Co-hosted with Poverty Solutions Group
This session gathered educators, mentors, and small-business leaders focused on youth development and empowerment.
- Key Themes: The need to inspire hope, integrity, and ambition among young people. Participants noted that students are told “college isn’t for everyone” without being encouraged to explore higher education or trades.
- Opportunities: Expand access to technical and magnet school programs, as well as affordable continuing education options for adults.
- Ideas Shared: Develop a digital resource hub (similar to West Orange Hub) while maintaining personal, human connections.
- Community Role Models: Teachers, barbers, and faith leaders were viewed as key influencers in restoring community trust.
West Orange
Co-hosted with Community Live Improvement Center (the CLIC)
Residents voiced concerns about rising costs, housing insecurity, and the digital divide in one of Orange County’s fastest-growing areas.
- Economic Challenges: Rent increases, limited HUD and Section 8 availability, and stagnant wages.
- Access Barriers: Lack of public transportation, computer access, and awareness of assistance programs.
- Health and Wellness: Limited healthcare and food access despite strong volunteer efforts (e.g., Circles, Shepherd’s Hope).
- Community Vision: Residents want mixed-income housing, adult-education opportunities, stronger partnerships with employers, and visible engagement from donors and officials across income levels.
Parramore
Co-hosted with the Desire Foundation and New Image Youth
At the Desire Foundation and New Image Youth session, service and volunteerism were central themes.
- Community Engagement: Residents value authentic involvement and want their voices to drive change. Local groups like New Image Youth and the Community Engagement Council build trust through volunteering and outreach.
- Needs and Barriers: Limited transportation, internet, and awareness hinder access to services. Many struggle with confusing eligibility rules and lack clear, consistent information.
- Priorities: Residents want trusted local leaders, more youth and family programs, and better ways to share information. Creating safe gathering spaces is also a priority.
- Sentiment: The community is proud, resilient, and ready to lead. Despite challenges, residents remain hopeful about Parramore’s future
What We Learned + Next Steps
The Listening Tours made clear that lasting change begins with listening, and that Central Florida’s greatest strength lies in its people. Residents are already driving solutions grounded in trust, collaboration, and care for their neighbors.
Now that the Listening Tour has concluded, we’ll take these insights with us as the Thriving Together Collaborative is launched in January 2026. This Collaborative will engage 5 neighborhoods and organizations that will form dynamic teams composed of grassroots leaders and community members across sectors. These teams will dive into design thinking and resilience training, and start planning a tangible community project that focuses on economic stability in their neighborhoods.
Ultimately, the Collaborative aims to strengthen our neighborhoods by lifting up the strong social capital that already exists. Design thinking training will focus on problem-solving, resiliency, and sustainability.
Tags: listening tour, parramore, thrive