The Lakeland Vision and Lakeland Chamber of Commerce joint Education Committee will meet on Wednesday, November 9th at 9:30 a.m. at The Well (located at 114 E. Parker Street, Lakeland 33801).  The Education Committee is led by Dr. Sallie Stone and Dr. Leon Battle.  Community participation is welcome.  For more information on how to be involved, please reach out to Lakeland Vision Executive Director, Laura Rodriguez – Lrodriguez@lakelandvision.org.

The Nominating Committee for Lakeland Vision will be meeting in November to consider board members for the 2023-2025 term.  It is important for the Lakeland Vision board to be diverse and representative of the Lakeland community.  If you’d like to submit a name for consideration, please reach out to Lakeland Vision Executive Director, Laura Rodriguez at lrodriguez@lakelandvision.org.  The 2022 Nominating Committee consists of Carole Philipson (Chair), Ileana Kniss and Ashley Link.

The Age Friendly Lakeland (AFL) Committee will meet on Wednesday, October 19th at 11:00 a.m. in the City Commission Conference Room on the 3rd Floor of City Hall.  The AFL Committee is working to create a community where older adults and their families are equipped with the necessary resources to comfortably and safely age in place. Wednesday’s meeting will include conversations about the AFL Business Seal, CNA Scholarship, Neighborhood Outreach and the Senior Center.  Anyone interested in joining the AFL should reach out to Allie Bates, AFL Coordinator at allie@agefriendlylakeland.com.

For more information about AFL, check out the website – www.agefriendlylakeland.com

The Lakeland Vision + The Lakeland Chamber of Commerce Joint Education Committee will meet on Wednesday, October 19th at 9:30 a.m. at The Well (114 E. Parker Street, 33801).  The purpose of this meeting is to plug committee members into two areas of focus which include business engagement and communication & awareness as it relates to their professional expertise and education.  All Lakeland Vision committees are open to the public and any interested parties are invited to reach out to Executive Director, Laura Rodriguez at (863)370-8152/Lrodriguez@lakelandvision.org.

The Lakeland Chamber of Commerce’s Education Committee will align with Lakeland Vision’s Education Committee to address the priorities set by the Lakeland Vision Board of Directors which include:

1. Monitor effects of growth on Lakeland area schools
2. If school rezoning is proposed, work closely with Polk County School Board staff and Lakeland Vision’s Community Engagement Committee advocate to support citizen involvement.
3. Continue to educate the public and assist in managing the message about our Lakeland schools and education option
4. Focus on community support of Lakeland schools

This joint committee will together look at the goals within the community Vision which include:

• Supporting education through collaboration with the community at large
• Supporting quality programs and curriculum that prepare students for success in college, vocations, etc.
• Life-long training opportunities
• School readiness
• Strong partnerships with higher education

The LV & LCOC Education Committee is led by Dr. Sallie Stone (Lakeland Vision) & Leon Battle (Lakeland Chamber) and will hold it’s initial meeting on Wednesday, August 22nd at 10:00 a.m. at The Well.  Anyone interested in joining the committee can reach out to Laura Rodriguez, Exec. Director of Lakeland Vision at lrodriguez@lakelandvision.org.

The Board of Directors of Lakeland Vision will not meet the month of July.  The board will come back together on Thursday, August 4th at 8:30 a.m. An in-person or virtual venue is yet to be determined.

The Lakeland Vision Board of Directors will meet for their annual board retreat on Thursday, May 5, 2022 from 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at The Well (114 E Parker St, Lakeland, FL 33801).  This year’s retreat will focus on the impact of the robust growth in the Lakeland community…how it affects the areas of education, safety and transportation.  Information gleaned from the retreat will guide the priorities of Lakeland Vision over the next year.

The board of Lakeland Vision will not meet in the month of April in preparation for the annual board retreat which will take place on Thursday, May 5th.

The Lakeland Vision Board will be participating in a tour of Gospel Village on Thursday, April 7th at 9:30 a.m. Gospel Village.  Gospel Village is run by Gospel, Inc. which is a Christ-centered community providing a home and micro-enterprise work opportunity to the formally homeless.  This program is helping address the citizen Vision goal of “reducing the city’s homeless population”.  Gospel, Inc. was founded by Brian Seeley, who also serves as the Executive Director.  For more information, please visit Gospel, Inc. (gospelinc.org)

United Way of Central Florida and GiveWell Community Foundation are working together
to conduct a County-wide needs assessment to learn about the strengths and challenges
experienced in Polk County. They are asking local residents 18 years of
age and older to share their honest thoughts about community needs in areas such as
economic and employment opportunities, education, food security, housing, quality of life,
and transportation/infrastructure. All responses will help to inform important strategies,
programs, and funding opportunities uniquely designed for your county based on the
voices of residents like you!

This survey should only take about 15 minutes of your time. Once you complete the
survey, you will have the choice to be entered to win a $50 Visa gift card!

Be a part of the change in your community and take the survey today!

TAKE SURVEY NOW (Click here): NEEDS ASSESSMENT