SANFORD, Fla. – Days before the start of the school year, newly transformed “needs spaces” are being revealed at different schools across Central Florida.
The “needs spaces” were reimagined through an effort from the Addition Financial Foundation and designed to support students and families experiencing financial hardship.
On Monday, a redesigned food pantry and lounge was unveiled at Seminole High School’s 9th Grade Center — one of five schools across Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Volusia, and Lake counties to receive a makeover through the foundation’s Renovate to Educate program.
The renovations were made as an estimated 20,000 students across those five counties are currently experiencing homelessness.
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“This is going to address food insecurity. When our kiddos need clothing, they need food, and they have a space to come, they will definitely be ready to compete academically and prepare them for the classroom,” said Dr. Jamie Washington, principal of Seminole High School’s 9th Grade Center.
Washington said the timing and accessibility of the space are critical to its success.
“You can’t say when a child is going to be hungry, so if that child is distracted from the learning process, we want to make sure they get some support,” Washington said.
The Renovate to Educate program worked alongside Seminole State College’s Interior Design Program to give each school a customized redesign based on its unique needs. Volunteers spent the summer painting, assembling furniture, decorating the spaces, and stocking shelves with food, hygiene products, clothing, and other essentials.
Cristina Lehman, executive director of the Addition Financial Foundation, said the goal was to create spaces where students feel genuinely welcome.
“We really wanted to make it a very welcoming space because we don’t know what their home lives look like. So, at least here they have a space they can call their own that they can hang out and feel very comfortable,” Lehman said.
At Seminole High School, district leaders said about 46% of students are from low-income families and there are 224 students at the school who are considered homeless.
Washington said she hopes the space fosters a deeper sense of belonging for students who may be struggling at home.
“I want them to have a sense of pride. I want them to feel like as if whatever problems they are facing at home, they’re going to be at least temporarily going away, so that while they’re here they can perform at their best,” Washington said.
For more details about the Addition Financial Foundation Renovate to Educate Program, visit foundation.additionfi.com/renovate.