The Heart of Florida United Way recently announced that more than $2 million dollars of grant monies have been awarded to multiple nonprofit organizations across Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties. We are pleased to announce the Osceola Council on Aging (OCOA) is one of the recipients.
The OCOA received $85,000 in funding for varying programs including Meals on Wheels, Congregate Dining, our Health Clinic, and basic services such as rental and utility assistance for seniors and families.
HFUW grants are built on decades of collaborative partnerships focused on supporting four primary pillars to include Health, Education, Financial Stability, and basic needs.
“For 85 years, Heart of Florida United Way has been a beacon of hope and a catalyst for change,” said Jeff Hayward, Heart of Florida United Way CEO. “We remain steadfast in our dedication to empowering
those who are employed but face financial hardship, while living paycheck to paycheck. As we celebrate this milestone, we also are looking forward to the future, reinforcing our commitment to our core pillars and strengthening our impact, which will lead to stronger futures for everyone in our communities.”
“With our more than 40 programs within the Council on Aging, these types of grants are crucial in our social services work,” said Tim Timmerman, Senior Vice President of Information Management. “We sincerely thank the Heart of Florida United Way for their philanthropic generosity to support the Council on Aging.”
Additional programs in which the OCOA manages include Building Strong Families Housing Stability Program, KUA Good Neighbor project, transportation services, adult daycare to provides comprehensive care and socialization for seniors, home care and home rehabilitation for those who cannot afford to keep their homes safe and energy efficient, to name a few.
In 2024 alone, the OCOA supported approximately 320,000 Osceola County residents while serving more than 103,000 meals under our Meals on Wheels umbrella. We also provided $1,673,000 in emergency assistance, over 2.3 million pounds of food from our food pantries, 1,434 individuals with care under our Health Clinic, housing for nearly 330 individuals and families living in OCOA affordable housing, $100,000 hours of In-Home service for clients; and $1.5 million in OCOA client in-home repairs.
The adage says, “It takes a village to raise a child,” an African proverb which means an entire community of people must interact with children for them to experience and grow in a safe and healthy environment. Well, within the OCOA, it is not much different. “It takes a village,” too, for our organization to manage the needs of Osceola residents, whether they are seniors, disadvantaged families living in poverty, or those who are disabled. We are amazingly proud the Heart of Florida United Way, and our multiple other community partnerships, are part of the Council on Aging’s “village” in support of our mission.
