Faith Christina, 22. is a student at a local, well known community college where she is studying to become a sign language interpreter. This young lady has wowed the team at OCB with her kindness, dedication and commitment to her community. Faith Christina works for Chick-Fil-A and runs her own sewing/quilting business called, Imperfect Creations. She is often found volunteering for local groups as well as welcoming new babies born with Down syndrome into their new community.
Faith Christina, we are so proud to have you as a WORLD CHANGER alumni and we can not wait to see where your future is headed.
The World Changer Scholarship was created to support individuals with Down syndrome, age 18 and older, in their pursuit of higher education. We are thrilled to welcome second year applicants of this scholarship in 2022.
You may find the renewal application (use this one if you applied in 2021), new application and instruction links below.
Application acceptance will open on May 9, 2022 and commence June 13, 2022. A small selection committee of 2-4 person’s will review all applications and scholarship recipients will be notified by email of a final decision by July 1, 2022.
Recipients will be invited to a small luncheon gathering on July 16, 2022. Time and Place will be determined and announced.
If you would prefer to have a PDF version of the instructions/application, please send an email to Hope. If any other questions should arise, please do not hesitate to reach out to Hope: hope@our-city-beautiful.com
Best of Luck, from the OCB team to all applicants!
We are just a handful of days away from our 3rd annual down with heART pop-up show. How exciting! Can I say WOW!, here? We are beyond grateful for the support we receive from not only the folks who come to the exhibit but for the individuals who participate and send their creations to us each year. Undoubtedly, these artists receive requests for donations and participation in exhibits all year, and still, they believe in OCB’s mission enough to participate. Thank you.
There will be many pieces of art, all in various mediums, available for bid during the auction. The link for the auction will open to the public at 1:00 pm EST and will remain open until 6:00 pm.
We strongly suggest visiting the link a few hours ahead of time to create your profile because that is a requirement to bid on items.
Again, we are grateful for visitors, bidders, artists, guardians, and advocates; oh my!
VIP and General Admission tickets for the 2022 down with heART pop-up art show are now available!
We are thrilled to invite elite dance troop, CHANCE 2 DANCE for a private performance during the VIP bruncheon. Be sure to select a VIP ticket and arrive at 10:30 to enjoy a one-of-a-kind show.
VIP attendees should arrive no later than 10:30 to enjoy brunch, a private performance from CHANCE 2 DANCE, receive early access to the art auction, and appreciate the selected works before general admission begins.
Please visit the ticket link to purchase your VIP or General Admission tickets. The last day to purchase VIP will be 2/7/2022. General Admission will be available at the door for a $5 increase in price.
We would like to take this moment and thank of sponsors for their support of this unique event and the overall mission of Our City Beautiful:
The Lades 327, The Orlando Law Group, Harrell & Beverly, Professional Title Agency
Today, December 3rd, is “International Day of People with Disabilities”.
Today, we celebrate those living with differing abilities. We celebrate the #WORLDCHANGERS and the people seeking out their dreams, and simply enjoying all life has given them.
Today, we raise our voice for inclusion, for every person in ALL areas of life, some we take for granted, everyday – a right to free education, affordable housing, equal wage employment, transportation, affordable healthcare, and a supportive community.
Today, we make a commitment to be part of a worldwide vision, where people of all abilities are recognized and celebrated for their contributions.
Being disabled doesn’t mean your life is less valuable. It doesn’t mean you don’t have the same aspirations as others. It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t create and work to achieve your goals.
It may mean the way you go about achieving those dreams looks different. It may mean you need accommodations, supports, or services. It may mean the path to the dream looks different.
Today, may we all have the same opportunities and support to reach our goals.
Some words borrowed from our friends at @calebs_crew
Friends, Giving Tuesday is just around the corner. Raise your hand if you’re excited!!
We’ve created easy ways for you to give back to OCB in 2021. You know first and foremost, we could always use the help of smiling friends. Have a few hours you can spend with us? Let us know and we will put you to work.
Can you contribute financially this year? We’ve created several convenient ways:
Text to Give: Text the word “HOLLAND” to (202) 858-1233 . A link will be sent to you.
Vist our giving platform, GIVEBUTTER and choose the most convenient way to give.
We know 2020 and 2021 have been difficult for many of our friends and family; it’s been difficult for us, too. Please, remember we love and appreciate all your support!
Our story is one of receiving generosity, kindness, and friendship. In 2016, my husband and I were scouring an advocacy website for children with special needs who were in need of their forever families. After weeks of scouring Through the many children, my hand stopped when my eyes were caught on a little boy. He had brown hair with a bowl cut, big Blue eyes, and a crooked smile. We didn’t know the first thing about international adoption and we didn’t have any money. What we did have was love and persistence and the clear calling from God, and so our journey began.
We would become connected through our fight for the Plight of Orphans, and now, through the connection of families of children with Down syndrome. Sarah, herself has Down syndrome and is an incredible young woman; an entrepreneur, proud dog Mommy, and incredible sister. Do you believe in Earthly angels? People placed in your life at precisely the right moment? When do you need encouragement the most? I do. That is when Joyce and Sarah came into the picture. They had been advocating and following Pasha’s story from afar.
Eventually, our paths crossed, and these women, no, these Angels who would Bless us immensely and go above and beyond for our family found us. We would become connected through our fight for the Plight of Orphans, and now, through the connection of families of children with Down syndrome. Sarah, herself has Down syndrome and is an incredible young woman; an entrepreneur, proud dog Mommy, and incredible sister. Joyce and Sarah held fundraisers for us through the sales of their beautiful handmade quilts. They donated financially to our efforts and they advocated for us in their community. They did this not once, but twice.
Our son, Pasha came home in February 2016, and our second son, Bodie came home in October the following year. In all, Joyce and Sarah contributed 40% to the financial needs of adoptions of our sons. Without their support, financially and emotionally, our sons wouldn’t have a family, love, and health. They would not have siblings to teach them and love them in ways only a sibling can. Their support made me a Mother for the third and fourth time. It is both an honor and a tragedy that many will not understand. Adoption is a beautiful, broken road that has such tragedy intertwined with joy. Joyce understood. She knew how my heart longed for these boys, and it was only money standing in the way. We are eternally grateful and can never repay their generosity.
If ever God placed Angels on Earth, for us who are undeserving of such kindness, these two women are that for my family.
Families from all around gathered this year for our Costume Dance Party with Mr. Richard!
The pumpKIND patch was sensational again this year, in 2021. We met families from all over Central Florida, as they drove from near and far to pick their pumpkins and support Our City Beautiful, all in one.
All our pumpkins were shipped in from the Carolina states, and we had a wide range of varieties including, Casperita, Jack B Littles, Blanco, Pie pumpkins, gourds, and of course, all the carving pumpkins. Should we add more next year?
Our end-of-the-season costume dance party with Mr. Richard is always a hit! Who doesn’t love to dance and sing on a beautiful night? The weather was perfect, not too hot and not too cold.
October was a super busy month for our city of Sanford, Florida! We saw Octoberfest in downtown celebrated, the Air & Space show with the United States Air Force, all the Trunk – or- Treats, and of course, the pumpKIND patch! It is nice having activities happen again.
It is exciting to share with you that the pumpKIND patch raised just over $7,000 this season. How exciting! The money raised in this season supports HOLLAND, our tiny home mission, THE SUPPER CLUB, and the WORLD CHANGER scholarship. Because of your purchases and donations, we can make a difference in the Down syndrome and disabilites community!
We are THRILLED to be back in 2022! We will see you there.
then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
