The Downtown Recreation Center, a haven for after-school activities, mental health support, educational and career guidance and more, is back open for business.

The center, which supports neighborhood residents ages 14 to 19 through a variety of programs, classes and activities, was recently renovated and celebrated its grand re-opening in late September 2024.

Mayor Buddy Dyer, interim District 5 City Commissioner Shan Rose, officials from the City of Orlando, representatives from local nonprofits and Alandus Sims, OUC Project Manager for Strategic Community Partnerships, were in attendance.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer speaks at the ribbon-cutting for the upgraded Downtown Recreation Center.

Lisa Early, Director of Families, Parks and Recreation and Director of Children & Education with the City of Orlando, and founder of the Parramore Kidz Zone – of which the center is one – began the event by discussing how the program began and its mission.

The newly revamped center offers mental health support, financial literacy help, tutoring, career guidance, culinary classes and more. There are also game rooms, a computer lab, and a movie room. As part of the upgrade, the facility features a refinished gym floor and new roof, as well as refurbished locker rooms, showers and bathrooms.

The center is located in OUC’s first Empowerment Zone, which encompasses the economically disadvantaged area within the 32805 ZIP code.

Through the Empowerment Zone, OUC and its partners offer initiatives that promote health and wellness, sustainable housing and education.

For example, the OUC-sponsored Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program sets up graduates for well-paid careers by providing training in trade skills that can be used in construction, carpentry, electrical, plumbing and building maintenance.

The Parramore Kidz Zone hosts the classes, which are overseen by iBuild Central Florida, a nonprofit involved in workforce development. OUC’s sponsorship covers tuition, supplies, and other program fees and costs, which lets the participants focus on learning. Program graduates receive job offers as apprentices with local employers, where they continue their training and skills development.

For more information on the Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program, go here: OUC.com/Empowerment