Recent News

The Lakeland Chamber of Commerce’s Education Committee will align with Lakeland Vision’s Education Committee to address the priorities set by the Lakeland Vision Board of Directors which include:

1. Monitor effects of growth on Lakeland area schools
2. If school rezoning is proposed, work closely with Polk County School Board staff and Lakeland Vision’s Community Engagement Committee advocate to support citizen involvement.
3. Continue to educate the public and assist in managing the message about our Lakeland schools and education option
4. Focus on community support of Lakeland schools

This joint committee will together look at the goals within the community Vision which include:

• Supporting education through collaboration with the community at large
• Supporting quality programs and curriculum that prepare students for success in college, vocations, etc.
• Life-long training opportunities
• School readiness
• Strong partnerships with higher education

The LV & LCOC Education Committee is led by Dr. Sallie Stone (Lakeland Vision) & Leon Battle (Lakeland Chamber) and will hold it’s initial meeting on Wednesday, August 22nd at 10:00 a.m. at The Well.  Anyone interested in joining the committee can reach out to Laura Rodriguez, Exec. Director of Lakeland Vision at lrodriguez@lakelandvision.org.

The Board of Directors of Lakeland Vision will not meet the month of July.  The board will come back together on Thursday, August 4th at 8:30 a.m. An in-person or virtual venue is yet to be determined.

The Lakeland Vision Board of Directors will meet for their annual board retreat on Thursday, May 5, 2022 from 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at The Well (114 E Parker St, Lakeland, FL 33801).  This year’s retreat will focus on the impact of the robust growth in the Lakeland community…how it affects the areas of education, safety and transportation.  Information gleaned from the retreat will guide the priorities of Lakeland Vision over the next year.

The board of Lakeland Vision will not meet in the month of April in preparation for the annual board retreat which will take place on Thursday, May 5th.

The Lakeland Vision Board will be participating in a tour of Gospel Village on Thursday, April 7th at 9:30 a.m. Gospel Village.  Gospel Village is run by Gospel, Inc. which is a Christ-centered community providing a home and micro-enterprise work opportunity to the formally homeless.  This program is helping address the citizen Vision goal of “reducing the city’s homeless population”.  Gospel, Inc. was founded by Brian Seeley, who also serves as the Executive Director.  For more information, please visit Gospel, Inc. (gospelinc.org)

United Way of Central Florida and GiveWell Community Foundation are working together
to conduct a County-wide needs assessment to learn about the strengths and challenges
experienced in Polk County. They are asking local residents 18 years of
age and older to share their honest thoughts about community needs in areas such as
economic and employment opportunities, education, food security, housing, quality of life,
and transportation/infrastructure. All responses will help to inform important strategies,
programs, and funding opportunities uniquely designed for your county based on the
voices of residents like you!

This survey should only take about 15 minutes of your time. Once you complete the
survey, you will have the choice to be entered to win a $50 Visa gift card!

Be a part of the change in your community and take the survey today!

TAKE SURVEY NOW (Click here): NEEDS ASSESSMENT

Lakeland Vision’s Community Unity Committee will meet on Wednesday, February 16th at 11:00 a.m. via Zoom. The committee will review the designated workgroups and fill in gaps in membership. Each workgroup reflects a designated focus area, including:

1. Overall Unity
2. Economy
3. Law Enforcement
4. Healthcare
5. Education

A timeline or progress will also be proposed for each workgroup. All community members are welcome at the table. For questions, or to be included in conversation, please reach out to Lakeland Vision Executive Director, Laura Rodriguez, Lrodriguez@lakelandvision.org.

Lakeland Vision Board Member, Rick Maxey, serves as the Chairman of the Community Unity Committee.

The Age Friendly Lakeland Committee will meet on Wednesday, January 26th at 11:00 a.m. via Zoom.  The Committee will review general updates, the Business Seal Sub-Committee and the CNA Scholarship.  Any interested community members are welcome to join the AFL Committee.  For more information, please contact Age Friendly Coordinator, Allie Bates at allie@agefriendlylakeland.com.

Lakeland Vision’s Board of Directors will come meet for the first meeting of 2022 on Thursday, February 3rd at 8:30 a.m.  In addition to regular business, the meeting will also feature a presentation from Julie Townsend who is the Executive Director for the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority.  In light of Covid-19 numbers, this meeting will take place via Zoom.  For more information, please do not hesitate to contact Laura Rodriguez – (863) 370-8152 / lrodriguez@lakelandvision.org