Angela, Manuel, and their children have been residents of the Lake Sunset neighborhood for almost a year now. Angela loves this community. She loves that she knows so many of her neighbors and that her children can play with the other children in the community. She says that she has been surprised that the neighborhood is so quiet.

Terrence Miller has been living in the Rock Lake Neighborhood since June 2018. He says that he wanted to live here because he saw something incredible. He saw comradery, neighbors helping one another and not being strangers. One of the things he loves about living in this part of the city of Orlando is the mature oak trees throughout the neighborhood.

Sabrina Newton is a lifelong resident of the Rock Lake neighborhood. She was born and raised in Orlando Florida. The home that she lives in now, is the same home that she and her siblings grew up in as a child. Her home was purchased by her parents when she was in elementary school.

Thelma Monroe was born in Live Oak, FL. When she was a younger woman she lived in both New Jersey and California; where she was married and raised her family.

Crystal Priester is a lifelong resident of Clear Lake Cove and a board member of the West Lakes Partnership. She was raised by her grandparents, who have been lifelong freedom fighters in the Central Florida area. To her, living in the Communities of West Lakes means everything.

Carmen Hill-Gill has been a resident of the Lake Lorna Doone neighborhood since she was 9 years old. She remembers relocating to the neighborhood from the Parramore community with her siblings and her parents as a young child.

Tangia Hill-Smikle moved to the Communities of West Lakes with her parents and sister when she was 6 years old. She and her sister, Carmen, grew up in the Lake Lorna neighborhood where she now resides as an adult.

Tangia Smikle, was one of the original 7 founding members of the West Lakes Economic Opportunities Council, currently known as West Lakes Partnership. A lifetime resident of West Lakes, Tangia, is proud of her roots in the community. After serving two tours in Desert Storm, she returned home to the West Lakes community where she has resided for over twenty years.

On today’s blog, Tangia talks about the future of West Lakes Partnership and the future of West Lakes from her perspective.

Andre Smart, Past Chairman of West Lakes Partnership, has been a resident of the Clear Lake: Bunche Manor/ Hollando community for 60 years. He served as Chair for one year and on the Board of Directors for three years. On today’s blog, Andre talks about the future of West Lakes Partnership and the vision the initiative has for the future of West Lakes from his perspective.

Antoinette Giles, Vice-Chair of West Lakes Partnership, has been a resident of the Lake Sunset / Luola Terrace community for more than 10 years. She has served on the Board of Directors for over 2 years. In addition to her position as the Vice-Chair, she is also the Co-chair of the Neighborhood Engagement Committee. On today’s blog, Antoinette talks about the future of West Lakes Partnership and the vision the initiative has for the future of West Lakes from her perspective.

As you ride down Orange Center Boulevard you will notice the beautiful, newly built Pendana Senior Residences at West Lakes! This community was specially designed for seniors ages 62 and up. Pendana Senior offers its residents a plethora of amenities including a theatre, a computer center, and a fitness center! Every apartment home includes ceramic tile flooring, 9-foot ceilings, ENERGY STAR® appliances, 42-inch kitchen cabinets, and an island breakfast bar.

West Lakes Community, are you ready to have some fun this weekend? Get out of the house for a change of pace and explore West Lakes! West Lakes Partnership is hosting a fun scavenger hunt that will lead you through all five West Lakes neighborhoods, to discover new points of interest and test your knowledge. Connect all of dots and turn in your answers for a handsome prize!

We all thought that times were tough, but the reality is that times are tougher for families that are balancing household budgets to purchase food, in addition to paying rent/mortgage and other bills. COVID-19 has caused food instability to play out privately in the neighborhoods of West Lakes. It plays out quietly in the homes of seniors, as they sacrifice medicine for meals. It plays out quietly in the homes of parents struggling to help their children keep up with their lessons. It plays out in hushed conversations between parents, as they try to stretch reduced income to pay rent, the light bill, or fixing a broken car to get to work and all too frequently last, food.

Carmen Gill and Tangia Smikle are residents of Lake Lorna Doone. Their neighborhood and the park near their home is named after one of the earliest property owner’s daughter’s favorite novel, Lorna Doone, written by English author, Richard Doddridge Blackmore, published in 1869.

Pendana Senior Residences is making significant progress! The building is nearing completion and the application process will be starting this fall! To that end, here are some helpful facts for you to know if you, or a loved one, is hoping to move into the new complex: 

A1 Orange is a family owned business founded in 1925. The company provides window cleaning, pressure cleaning, waterproofing and all services on the outside of a building, whether it's a 1-story building or 100-stories tall! They work on properties in Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville. Vickie Head, the current owner/operator, began working for the company in 1983 alongside her father…

The Legacy Events Community Council came about when Mr. Eugene & Mrs. Alice Leach envisioned bringing unique events to the area to connect our neighborhoods and the community at large. The purpose is to shine the spotlight on positive African American accomplishments, as well as bring a fresh awareness to our ingenious culture and heritage.

Hannibal Square Community Land Trust is proposing building 30 townhomes for homeownership on the parcels facing Orange Center Boulevard and a 3-story, mixed-use development at the corner of Tampa Avenue and Orange Center.

Carmen Gill and Tangia Smikle are residents of Lake Lorna Doone. Their neighborhood and the park near their home is named after one of the earliest property owner’s daughter’s favorite novel, Lorna Doone, written by English author, Richard Doddridge Blackmore, published in 1869.