Out of the 11 areas of poverty located in Seminole County Florida, nine can be found in Sanford Florida. These sections of the city are plagued by crime, drugs, gangs, domestic violence, child abuse, rape, AIDS, poor health, illiteracy and many other dire situations.
The Central Florida Dream Center (CFDC) is making a significant difference by positively impacting the lives of men, women, and children of Sanford. The CFDC is a One-Stop non-profit community empowerment Center, we partner with other organizations to impact the region. Located in a 46,000 SF facility in the heart of inner-city Sanford, FL where crime, abuse, and poverty run rampant, the Dream Center is turning dreams into destiny...
The CFDC has a proven pattern to reduce crime in the community. Currently in the community served by the CFDC 9 out of 10 children are fatherless. To give significance to thise facts here are some disturbing statistics:
- 90% of runaway children are from fatherless homes
- 71% of high school drop-outs are from fatherless homes
- 85% of youth in prison are from fatherless homes
- 90% of inmates on death row are from fatherless homes
The Dream Center's goal is to break this cycle and offer programs for youth, adults and families. Our mission is to equip and empower individuals, families and communities to self-sufficiency so that they become contributing members of our society.
In a community where the local drug dealer is often the only male role model figure a young person has, you can see why the need is so great for an organization such as this. By following in the footsteps of similar organizations the Dream Center has already reduced crime in the community, but much more needs to be done.
By providing a "hand-up" as oppossed to a "hand-out" the Dream Center makes a long-term change in the lives of those who are serious about improving their situation.
Please take time to consider what talent, treasure, or time you have to donate to the Central Florida Dream Center, join us in improving the world we live in.
Central Florida Zoo
Enter the enchanted, tropical world of the Central Florida Zoo, a relaxing, entertaining and educational experience for the entire family. Discover a world of animals from around the world within this intimate park nestled in the heart of Florida. Stroll along shaded, winding boardwalks and paths as you see towering elephants, appreciate the beauty of the hyacinth macaw and listen to the song of the kookaburra. Or dare to meet some of the world’s most venomous reptiles and non-venomous snakes, lizards and frogs in the Herpetarium.
See animals like the Puerto Rican Coqui, endangered Amur leopards, venomous king cobra and playful spider monkeys. The recently transformed Butterfly Sensory Garden incorporates touch, look, listen and smell stations, contrasting human and insect senses.
Discovering animals is just the beginning. Over 75,000 school children participate in formal education programs every year, fostering an appreciation for animals and the importance of biodiversity. Programs like Two-to-the-Zoo for second graders and Curric-ZOO-lum for third grade students, integrate mathematics, language arts, geography and social science into a fun day of learning. Create Your Own ZOOVenture programs are customized to meet the needs of teachers. Whatever the program, they are all designed to meet Florida Sunshine State Standards requirements.
Conservation of animals is paramount; many endangered species entrusted to our care may soon be extinct in the wild. Captive breeding programs may be their only hope for survival. Species Survival Plans, coordinated through the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, are attempting to maintain genetic diversity to ensure healthy, vigorous animals to reproduce now and in the future. Beyond this, SSPs participate in a variety of other cooperative conservation activities such as research, public education, reintroduction and field projects. The Central Florida Zoo participates in 12 SSP programs.
Mission of the Central Florida Zoo:
The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens is dedicated to preserving the beauty and wonder of animals and their habitats. We are committed to sharing our knowledge, engaging visitors, and celebrating our natural world.
History of the Central Florida Zoo:
First established as the Sanford Zoo in 1923 with a collection of donated animals held by the Sanford Fire Department. In 1941, the zoo was relocated to new facilities in downtown Sanford, on the site of the present City Hall. The Zoo of today, opened its doors at its present site on July 4, 1975 and it continues to grow as Seminole County's premier recreational and educational attraction.