L.O.V.E. Our Youth, Inc. (LOY), an award-winning nonprofit organization, is proud to announce the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new youth center in East Orlando. The event will take place on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at 5:00 PM. The center will serve as a youth-centric hub for mentorship, leadership workshops, and career exploration, providing a safe and empowering space for youth.
The new center opens at a critical time for the region. With Orange County experiencing significant population growth, the need for dedicated youth services has never been greater. Statistics show that in Florida, hundreds of thousands of children are left unsupervised during the peak after-school hours of 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., a timeframe that often correlates with a rise in juvenile crime. Programs like those offered at the new youth center are proven to turn this time of risk into a time of opportunity, leading to decreased crime rates, improved academic performance, and better mental health outcomes for participants.
A unique highlight of the new facility is the “Teen Lounge,” a space conceived and designed entirely by the teen members of the East Orlando Youth Advisory Board. This innovative approach lends to, “youth voice” and ensures the center truly meets the needs and desires of the young people it serves, giving them direct ownership and pride in their community space. “This center is more than a building; it’s a promise to the youth of East Orlando that we believe in their potential and are invested in their future,” said Lasheena Williams, MNM, CNP, Founder of L.O.V.E. Our Youth. “Seeing the East Orlando Youth Advisory Board take the lead in designing the Teen Lounge has been a profound experience, it is a testament of their brilliance and resilience and proves that by investing in our youth today, we create a brighter future for their tomorrow.”
“We are thrilled to see the expansion of the L.O.V.E. Our Youth program and welcome them to the Avalon Park Arts & Culture Center,” said Stephanie Lerret, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Community Relations for Avalon Park Group. “At Avalon Park, our vision has always been to create a place where people of all ages can live, learn, work, and play — and this center is an incredible step toward that mission. By providing a safe, creative, and empowering space designed with youth voices at the forefront, we are helping to build a stronger, more connected community and investing in the leaders of tomorrow.”
The center encompasses L.O.V.E. Our Youth’s impactful programming, including the Rise & Thrive career development program, which has already empowered over 300 students with post-secondary skills. The organization has achieved a 95% success rate of program graduates identifying a career path and has helped 75% of participants gain crucial 21st-century workforce skills. The ribbon cutting celebration will allow community members, local leaders, and the media to tour the facility, meet the youth leaders, and learn more about the organization’s mission. The opening of this center is a critical step in the organization’s goal to reach 2,500 youth by 2030, forging new pathways for young people to achieve their dreams.
The public is invited to attend the grand opening, which will feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony, light refreshments, and a chance to meet the L.O.V.E. Our Youth team. This new location will allow the organization to better serve the East Orlando community by providing services and support to even more youth in need.
Event Details:
● What: Ribbon-Cutting Celebration
● When: Wednesday, October 15, 2025, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
● Where: 13013 Founder’s Square Dr. Orlando, FL 32828
● Visuals: Ribbon-cutting ceremony, tour of the new facility and teen-designed lounge, youth
participating in activities.
Media check-in located at the registration table in front of the center.
For more information about L.O.V.E. Our Youth and its programs, visit site.
