April/May 2025 - West Lakes Partnership Newsletter

WLP’s Reclaiming The Dream Housing Program Reaches a New Milestone

The program has enabled thirteen new residents to call our beloved neighborhood home. Each home represents more than bricks and mortar—a fresh start, a dream realized, and a renewed sense of community. From young families to longtime residents returning to their roots, the people behind these front doors are part of a growing legacy of resilience and hope.

Yesterday, we proudly celebrated another milestone: selling our fourth home under the program to a first-time homebuyer. This isn’t just any home—it’s a beautifully rehabilitated, energy-efficient property that reflects our unwavering commitment to quality, affordability, sustainability, and long-term livability. This house was crafted with meticulous care and purpose, from updated plumbing, electrical wiring, insulation, and windows to efficient appliances and thoughtful design.

Every step forward with Reclaiming the Dream brings us closer to a stronger, more connected West Lakes. We’re not just restoring homes—we’re strengthening a neighborhood, reigniting pride, and reclaiming the dream of homeownership for families who deserve it most. The program's credit repair component has been a resounding success, helping residents increase their credit scores by 50-75 points (results vary), offering a beacon of hope for a brighter financial future.

Thanks to a grant Congressman Maxwell Frost obtained for us, our next housing chapter will be rolled out over the next few months, hopefully leading to more homeownership opportunities in West Lakes.

Enjoy a Preview of the House: View A Virtual Tour 

West Lakes Paint Program

West Lakes Partnership is looking for legacy residents who need an exterior paint spruce up on their home. Thanks in part to Lift Orlando, we have now spruced up 31 homes in two and a half years. Your home can be next! We have a special program for seniors. Request an application via email from Tim Ayers.

Rehab Begins Soon on 618 S. Lakeland Ave

In partnership with local government, West Lakes Partnership has invested over $500,000 to strengthen single-family housing in the five neighborhoods. From hiring quality local minority and/or local contractors to quality housing, West Lakes Partnership has delivered for residents. Looking for a family or first-time qualified buyer to move in in 3-4 months.

Florida Sales Tax Holidays

The 2023 Florida Legislature passed, and Governor signed into law, six sales tax holidays. The Home Hardening sales tax exemption from the 2022 legislative session, continues through fiscal year 2024. For details regarding the dates for each exemption period, please visit the Florida Department of Revenue’s website. It might save you money.

Reclaiming the Dream Housing Program

Resident-led West Lakes Partnership was awarded $260,000 by the City of Orlando to rehab vacant single family housing in Lake Sunset. Another bold step to strengthen our neighborhood and increase homeownership. #ResidentsEmpowered

Achieving Financial Stability

Back in 2018, West Lakes Partnership created the Reclaiming the Dream Housing program to create a pathway for increased homeownership in the Communities of West Lakes. We discovered that one of the impediments for most families in purchasing a home was the lack of credit worthiness.  

Determined to increase the number of credit-ready applicants for the housing program, the Board of West Lakes Partnership implemented a six-month credit repair program for residents and applicants to work with them to improve their credit scores. Six clients signed up and here are the results from our initial four-person graduating class.

• Client L    (start 556 current 610, items removed 24)

• Client M  (start 623 current 684, items removed 6)

• Client P   (start 561 current 626, items removed 38)

• Client Y   (start 650 current 703, items removed 28)

Credit reporting mistakes are not uncommon as you may think. More than one-third, or 34%, of Americans, found at least one error on their credit report, according to a 2021 Consumer Reports investigation. Consumer Reports asked volunteers to get a copy of their credit report and check for errors and 5,858 did so between Feb. 1 and April 1, 2021. A significant number found personal information and account mistakes.

As Client M noted, “to be free of mistakes on my credit report … allowed me to get a credit card and make real responsible choices that helped my family financially … West Lakes Partnership’s Intensive Credit Repair Program catapulted a new stage in the life of my family.”

If you are interested in this program, email Timothy Ayers @ tayers@westlakespartnership.org. There is a small, one-time fee for services. Each credit report is different and there are no guarantees of similar results.

A Place Called Home

Homeownership plays a vital role in helping to build strong, stable communities. In addition to bolstering our community's treasury through taxes, research shows the many social benefits it provides, including increased volunteerism, improved health, and less crime. WLP is pleased to announce that in 2023-24, we will be rehabbing our fourth property as well as constructing a new home in West Lakes.

West Lakes Paint Program

The intent of the West Lakes Paint Program is to provide one-time grants for exterior painting improvements to residential property located within the West Lakes neighborhoods. Determination of the amount is subject to bids received by West Lakes Partnership on subject property.

(Clear Lake Cove, Clear Lake: Bunche Manor/Hollando, Lake Lorna Doone, Lake Sunset and Rock Lake)

Program Summary

The West Lakes Paint Program provides a one-time payment assistance for exterior painting improvements to homesteaded, residential property located within West Lakes.

Funding for this program is provided by Lift Orlando and is based on the availability of funding.

Program Eligibility Guidelines

· Property must be located within the West Lakes neighborhoods.

· Applicant(s) must be the property owner(s) and provide proof of property ownership.

· Property must be zoned for residential use and used for residential purposes.

· Property must be homestead exempt.

· Applicant(s) must not be delinquent on payment of ad valorem property taxes.

· Property must not have outstanding code violations and/or judgment liens.

Program Details

· Eligibility Improvements:

o   Light exterior prep work including power washing, and/or sanding

o   Exterior Painting only

· West Lakes Partnership will provide a licensed & insured contractor to conduct

painting inspection and some minor structural improvements (see further details).

· West Lakes Partnership will provide exterior paint in pre-selected shades of color. Applicant(s) will select color preference based on available shades at the time of application.

· Applicant must pre-pay deposit before project is scheduled. West Lakes Partnership will make the grant payment along with the deposit to the paint company upon completion of job.

· Applicant(s) will be responsible for maintaining improvements upon project.

· Applicants must meet and prove their homestead ownership from 2014.

· Homes being listed for sale will not qualify for the program.

Documentation Requirements

Applicant(s) must submit the following documentation to receive assistance through the Residential Exterior Painting Program:

· Proof of Identity: Valid driver’s license or state identification card

· Proof of Ownership: Copy of Deed and/or current Mortgage Statement

· Proof of Homestead Exemption: Copy of Homestead Exemption Card

· Ad Valorem Property Taxes/Proof of Non-Delinquent Status: Recent Property Tax Bill, and/or Statement

Toxicity At Home

As I listened to the depiction of the West Lakes Pilot Paint Program framed by the information shared to Channel 9 TV station as “free” and created by those in power to help residents in need, I was reminded of a book introduced to me by the Executive Director of Lift Orlando in 2014, Toxic Charity by Robert Lupton. Sadly, legacy residents rarely ever hear references of that book, anymore. One of my favorite quotes from the book is “… Doing for rather than doing with those in need is the norm. Add to it the combination of patronizing pity [of resident leadership] and unintended superiority [of providers’ support], … charity becomes toxic.”

 For the most part, I have remained relatively silent in the face of several things I believe have gone horribly wrong over the past few years.  This is only the second time in approximately six years that I’ve felt compelled to write an article for our newsletter. However, my ancestors are restless and for the sake of their peace and my sanity, I must correct a few misunderstandings about that coverage.

1) While West Lakes has significant pockets of poverty, I have witnessed a rich history of residents who fought and won out against redlining, gentrification, and institutionalized racism;

2) The paint program was initiated by the resident-led Board of West Lakes Partnership. Its purpose is to assist legacy residents of the community who have lived here since 2014. Many of those whose homes have and will be painted were here prior to the current wave of development; and

3) the program is not “free.” Residents in West Lakes are proud people. My family and others have or will pay a fee for our homes to be painted. That fee is determined by the size of the home as determined by our paint vendor and resident partner, PaintSmart.

 The West Lakes residents that I come in regular contact with do not think of themselves as “disadvantaged or needy people” as implied in the story. We remain on the frontline fighting the good fight for a better, beautiful and more prosperous neighborhood. And while we applauded the more recent development and the efforts to help improve the lives of residents, I will call out toxicity where it rears its head.

 As I end this editorial, I am reminded of one more excerpt from the book, “Charity that does not enhance trusting relationships may not be charity at all…” It is imperative to build trust and to keep trust intact especially when you find yourselves on opposite sides of an issue. One way to institute trust is providing platforms that include the voices of residents and our appointed staff. Continuing dialogue is important even when the conversations are difficult. Excluding residents and WLP staff is always counter productive. Genuine partners turn toward those who have been there from the very beginning rather than attempt ostracism or tired workaround gimmicks aimed at WLP as reported to us by our neighbors.

Spotlight: A West Lakes Entrepreneur

Eric Hill and his family moved to Bunche Manor when he was a toddler. After graduating from college, Eric moved to California to achieve his career goals but always knew that he would one day return to where he grew up, now known as West Lakes. In 2013, ready for retirement, he returned to West Lakes! 

Eric is the owner of West Lake Gourmet Kettle Corn Company. He says that the satisfaction of having equity in something he founded was the motivation behind opening the business. When looking for a product that he could sell, Eric chose kettle corn because it is loved by everyone regardless of race, age, or economic background. “Kettle corns has no discrimination," says Hill. “My customers come from all different backgrounds, and they are all engaging.” While his primary customers are children, adults love the nostalgia of kettle corn. Seeing the smiles on the faces of his customers as they taste the product is one of the things that he loves most about the business. “With the pandemic, you can't touch people but, through my product and speaking with them, it is like touching their hearts!” 

Available in a multitude of varieties, Eric sells more than just the kettle corn flavor. Caramel kettle corn and Cheddar popcorn are just a few fan favorites. Customers can find West Lakes Gourmet Kettle Corn Company at the local Farmer's Market at the Smith Center, other pop-up events, or they can order the product for events! 

Fundraisers, sporting events, movie nights, and birthday parties are just a few of the occasions that you might find the yummy popcorn! Hill wants to take 6% of his profits to create a food pantry in the future. He also owns Lady T's Lemonade and plans to set up a popcorn and lemonade day for the children in West Lakes, as a way to give back to his smallest customers! 

As a pop-up business owner, Hill measures his company's success based on profit, foot traffic during events, and customer feedback. To him, it is important to take customer feedback to improve the product. With that mindset of always striving to make his product better, Eric offers excellent advice for future entrepreneurs. 
1.) Pick a business idea that has a significant market opportunity.
2.) Think of a product or idea that will give you a significant return.
3.) Raise capital and monitor your finances.
4.) Research your competition.
5.) Talk to other entrepreneurs and get feedback.
6.) Develop a good elevator speech.
7.) Never stop networking 

You can find Eric Hill's business on Facebook and Instagram by searching for West Lake Gourmet Kettle Corn Company or visit him at The Market at the Smith Center.

Lake Effect | Faces of West Lakes: Laquita Wilson's Story

Laquita Wilson lives in and works as a leasing agent at the Pedana Apartments at West Lakes. Laquita was born and raised in Orlando. She and her daughter are graduates of Jones High School. When Laquita attended, she marched in the band. She proclaims that she is a forever Tiger!  

Laquita loves the West Lakes community. When describing the community, she uses the analogy “it takes a village.” To her, the West Lakes community is a special village. She loves that the people in the community all look out for one another.  She says that there are always resources available for community members. Laquita feels that the community will continue to grow.  She remembers when Orange Center Blvd. looked very different than it does now. She believes that there are so many big things on the horizon for the community. And she is always grateful for West Lakes Partnership.

Click on the audio files below to hear more of Laquita’s story.

To learn more about the Lake Effect | Faces of West Lakes project or to listen to more stories of the residents of the Communities of West Lakes, visit https://www.westlakespartnership.org/faces-of-west-lakes

Lake Effect | Faces of West Lakes: Rachelle Laguerre’s Story

Rachelle Laguerre is a new resident of the West Lakes. She is a native of Haiti, but she grew up in New York. Before moving to West Lakes she lived in Altamonte Springs. She has been in Central Florida now for 7 years. 

Rachelle is happy to call the West Lakes home. She has watched the development of the Pendana Apartments since the project began. She recalls driving through the neighborhood as the project progressed and noting to herself that the development was going to be beautiful. Since then, she has wanted to live at the complex. Now that she lives here, she is excited to become a part of the community.  She is working on establishing a rapport with her neighbors so that her children, who love to play outside, can know the people in their community. Rachel is so impressed with what the West Lakes community is becoming. She remembers what it looked like before construction on the projects began. She feels that the property is being cared for beautifully. She says that it is always clean and that she is excited about the construction projects that are happening, that will inevitably make the West Lakes even better! 

Rachelle has a B.S. Degree in Business / Human Resources. She recently completed her internship at the Lake Mary City Hall. Rachelle is also a Fashion Stylist. She has a new job as an HR Support Specialist with Legoland.  She has dreams of becoming a Doctor. She will be fulfilling that dream by attending a college program soon, where she will continue adding to the first year of pre-med school that she completed at Long Island University in New York years ago. She has always been inspired to have a career in the medical field. Rachelle is a single mom of three children. By pursuing her medical degrees, she hopes to be an inspiration to them. 

Click on the audio files below to hear more of Rachelle’s story.

To learn more about the Lake Effect | Faces of West Lakes project or to listen to more stories of the residents of the Communities of West Lakes, visit https://www.westlakespartnership.org/faces-of-west-lakes

Lake Effect | Faces of West Lakes: Ramon Escarfullery’s Story

Ramon Escarfullery lives in the Pendana Senior Apartments in the heart of West Lakes. He loves living in Community. He said there is no place that he’d rather be than Pendana. To Ramon, you have to live each day as if it is you're last because life is not promised.  It is with this spirit that Ramon spends his days greeting people as they come into the building and helping his neighbors as much as he can. If you come into the building, chances are you will see Ramon holding court in the lobby area.  With a lighthearted laugh, he jokingly states that the only way he would leave Pendana is if the staff drags him out by his feet! 

Ramon has two daughters. His oldest child lives in Tampa and his youngest child lives in Patterson, New Jersey. He is a native of Puerto Rico. Before living in Orlando, he lived in Chicago. While there, he worked in a paint factory, assembling ladders. He has now lived in Orlando for a number of years. 

He says that he likes it in Orlando.  Wherever he lives, he never has a problem. No matter where he goes, he takes his two feet and goes forward. 

Click on the audio files below to hear more of Ramon Escarfullery’s story.

To learn more about the Lake Effect | Faces of West Lakes project or to listen to more stories of the residents of the Communities of West Lakes, visit https://www.westlakespartnership.org/faces-of-west-lakes

Lake Effect | Faces of West Lakes: Aretha Simons’ Story

Aretha Simons moved to Orlando in 1995.  She became a resident of the Rock Lake neighborhood in 2015. She is a Florida native hailing from a small town called Arcadia, which is about 120 miles from Central Florida.

Aretha is most likely the youngest person on her street. She loves her quiet community and her neighbors. She is proud of her community members who always look out for one another. 

Aretha is happy to see her West Lakes community revitalized “in a good way” alongside the city of Orlando’s inevitable expansion. While initially hesitant, she is now very excited about the park renovation at Lake Lorna Doone. She looks forward to being able to exercise and utilize the new facilities. 

Aretha has a passion for giving back to her community. She is a retired veteran from the U.S. Navy. She has been a chef instructor and owned a catering business for 7 years. Over the last 20 years, she has worked as a Grant Writer helping non-profit organizations start, grow and maintain their businesses. For the past 15 years, she has also worked for federal, state, and local governments, as well as local corporations as a Grant Reviewer. 

Click on the audio file below to hear more of Aretha’s story.

To learn more about the Lake Effect | Faces of West Lakes project or to listen to more stories of the residents of the Communities of West Lakes, visit https://www.westlakespartnership.org/faces-of-west-lakes

Lake Effect | Faces of West Lakes: The Giles' Family Story

Alvin Giles grew up in the Washington Shores neighborhood. He relocated to Luola Terrace in 2010 after graduating from Florida A & M University. The neighborhood is special to him as it holds many memories. Alvin recalls visiting his grandmother’s home, located in Luola Terrace often as a child. Her house was the first place that he had the autonomy to go to unsupervised as he matured.  He would travel across John Young Parkway to her Sunset Drive residence. His aunts also lived on Jacobs Place in the West Lakes Community. 

Something that he has noticed about the neighborhood, is that the overall aesthetic of the community has improved. To him, the addition of the Pendana Apartment Homes has modernized the community and increased its curb appeal. Although the former apartments were a part of the history of the historic community, he is glad to see them replaced with a new campus that is now well maintained, safe for residents, and a place that is desirable for families to raise children. Alvin is grateful to see the improvements in the community that are evident by the increased growth of the community campus and the refurbishment investments. 

Alvin lives in the Lake Sunset neighborhood, located within the Communities of West Lakes with his wife, Antoinette L. Giles (Vice-Chair of West Lakes Partnership), and their three children who are of school age.

Click on the audio files below to hear more of The Giles family’’s story.

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\\To learn more about the Lake Effect | Faces of West Lakes project or to listen to more stories of the residents of the Communities of West Lakes, visit https://www.westlakespartnership.org/faces-of-west-lakes

Lake Effect | Faces of West Lakes: Bernice Edwards' Story

Bernice Edwards lives in the Rock Lake neighborhood. She and her family were some of the first residents to move into the neighborhood when it was built. She has lived in her Ventura Avenue home since 1972. 

Bernice has two sons. Both of them are graduates of Jones High School. After graduating from high school, both young men attended college where they received their degrees. One of her sons attended Bethune Cookman College, while the other son graduated from the University of Florida.

Bernice is originally from Jasper Florida. She is a graduate of the Bruster Duval School of Nursing in Jacksonville, Florida. She relocated to Orlando to attend The University of Central Florida College of Nursing to attain both, her Bachelor's degree and Master's degree.  

Since becoming a resident, she says the neighborhood has changed a lot. Even with all of the changes, Bernice says that the Rock Lake neighborhood is still a desirable community, that she is very proud to live in. 

Click on the audio files below to hear more of Bernice Edwards’ story

To learn more about the Lake Effect | Faces of West Lakes project or to listen to more stories of the residents of the Communities of West Lakes, visit https://www.westlakespartnership.org/faces-of-west-lakes

Lake Effect | Faces of West Lakes: Gracie Mitchell's Story

Gracie Mitchell lives in the Rock Lake neighborhood in West Lakes. She is a member of the Rock Lake Home Owners Association.

When Gracie moved to Orlando, she was looking for a convenient place, close to many things. To her, being in close proximity to church, school, and work were important.  When she and her family found Ventura Avenue in the Rock Lake Community, she thought, “this is it!” Gracie says that she loves living in, what she calls, “the center of Orlando” because her visitors always comment about how close the community is to everything in Orlando and it is easy to reach anything

Gracie has three children; they all attended Jones High School. Her family loved the local school and the children did very well when they were students there. When her daughter attended the school, she was voted as Miss Jones High School and she was the valedictorian of her class. Her daughter attended Florida A&M University, where she studied nursing. Her daughter is now a registered nurse. Gracie and her family have always loved living in their home. To her, Rock Lake is a great neighborhood that she is very proud to live in.

Click on the audio files below to hear more of Gracie Mitchell’s story. 

To learn more about the Lake Effect | Faces of West Lakes project or to listen to more stories of the residents of the Communities of West Lakes, visit https://www.westlakespartnership.org/faces-of-west-lakes

Lake Effect | Faces of West Lakes: Sarah Elbadri and Orrett Davis

Sarah Elbadri and Orrett Davis live in the Rock Lake / Spring Lake Manor neighborhood in West Lakes. They have lived in Orlando for over a decade; and Rock Lake since 2018.

The couple really likes the neighborhood. Sarah describes the community as being very neighborly and engaged. She says that the people in the community really care about one another. They love going for runs through the neighborhood as it often feels like“Mr. Rodgers Neighborhood” when they see their neighbors as they wave to say hi.

They love their mid-century modern home. They have seen more younger families and people in their early thirties moving into the neighborhood. Sarah feels that as time progresses, the age demographic of the community will continue to shift as younger people begin to look for homes near downtown Orlando and the new UCF campus. 

Orrett has a career working with early-stage start-up tech companies.  Sarah is an Urban Planner for Orange County Government. Sarah is very passionate about housing, both professionally and personally, which is why she loves living in West Lakes. 

Click on the audio files below to hear more of Sarah Elbdri and Orett Davis’ story.

To learn more about the Lake Effect | Faces of West Lakes project or to listen to more stories of the residents of the Communities of West Lakes, visit https://www.westlakespartnership.org/faces-of-west-lakes

Lake Effect | Faces of West Lakes: Marvelous Phillips’ Story

Marvelous Phillips was born in Camden, New Jersey. She did not grow up here in Orlando but is happy to call it home. Marvelous has been a proud resident of the Lake Sunset neighborhood in West Lakes for the past five years. 

Marvelous is happy to help people in need. Her parents were pastors for 64 years.

Click on the audio files below to hear more of Mavelous’ story.

To learn more about the Lake Effect | Faces of West Lakes project or to listen to more stories of the residents of the Communities of West Lakes, visit https://www.westlakespartnership.org/faces-of-west-lakes