Heart of Florida United Way Invests $1 Million to Expand Student and Community Services at Seminole

Heart of Florida United Way (HFUW) and Seminole State College (SSC) of Florida celebrated the grand opening of the Seminole State College Heart of Florida United Way Raider C.A.R.E. (Community Assistance for Resources and Education) Village on the College’s Sanford/Lake Mary Campus, marking a major milestone in a broader $1 million investment by Heart of Florida United Way to strengthen student success and economic mobility in Seminole County.

"This investment represents Heart of Florida United Way's continuous, integrated approach to advancing education, financial stability, health, and basic needs," said Jeff Hayward, CEO, Heart of Florida United Way. "Together with Seminole State College, we are building a coordinated system of support that helps students stay enrolled, graduate and move into meaningful careers.”

The $1 million investment supports three interconnected initiatives:

• Expanding Destination Graduation – The investment will strengthen and extend Destination Graduation, a decade-long partnership between HFUW and SSC that connects students to financial assistance, coaching, and community resources to help them remain enrolled and complete their education. To date, the program has served more than 2,800 students and invested more than $600,000 in direct support.
• Advancing Seminole State Commits – The partnership will strengthen outreach and programming for underserved and A.L.I.C.E. (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) populations, extending educational access and career pathway resources deeper into Seminole County.
• Establishing the Raider C.A.R.E. Village – The final component of the investment supports the creation of a centralized, welcoming hub that provides wraparound services for students and community members. The Raider C.A.R.E. Village brings together nonprofit and social service partners in one accessible location. Programs will include Heart of Florida United Way initiatives such as upliftED, 211/988, and Mission United, along with services from other community partners and non-profit organizations, including Early Learning Coalition of Seminole County, Second Harvest Food Bank, Seminole County Legal Aid Society, Seminole State College Holistic Student Support, The Benefits Connection and more.

“The opening of the Raider C.A.R.E. Village with Heart of Florida United Way marks an important step forward for Seminole State and the community we serve,” said Seminole State President Dr. Georgia Lorenz. “By bringing essential resources together in one supportive space, we are expanding access and strengthening the foundation for student success.”

In addition to serving as a dedicated support services hub, the C.A.R.E. Village represents a long-term strategic partnership designed to remove barriers that prevent students and families from completing their education and achieving financial stability.

“At Heart of Florida United Way, we know that education is one of the strongest pathways to economic stability,” said Kelly Astro, Senior Vice President of Community Impact. “This partnership allows us to connect students and families to comprehensive support that help them persist in school and succeed in their careers.”

“For more than a decade, Seminole State College and Heart of Florida United Way have worked side by side to remove barriers and create meaningful pathways to success for our students,” said Dr. John A. Gyllin, Vice President of Resource and Economic Development at Seminole State College. “This $1 million investment not only strengthens our proven partnership, it also solidifies our shared commitment to Seminole County for the next 10 years. By expanding initiatives like Destination Graduation and establishing the Raider C.A.R.E. Village, we are ensuring a sustained, visible presence in the community and building the comprehensive support system our students need to graduate, enter the workforce and thrive.”

The Raider C.A.R.E. Village will be open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for qualifying students and Seminole County residents.

About Heart of Florida United Way

Heart of Florida United Way (HFUW) stands up for the education, financial stability, health and basic needs of every person in Central Florida. Since 1939, HFUW has delivered programs, invested dollars, and convened community members around important issues impacting Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties. As Central Florida’s most comprehensive health and human services nonprofit, HFUW created a $50 million impact in Central Florida last year. In 2021-22, HFUW served more than 703,000 people through its direct service and funded programs. HFUW is home to notable community resources like the 211 Information & Referral Crisis Line; 988 Suicide Prevention Lifeline; Mission United program for Veterans; TECHquity, an initiative bridging the digital divide; Destination Graduation at Seminole State College; the Ryan White Part B & General Revenue program, which administers nearly $2.3 million to provide HIV/AIDS services and referrals; the Planning Council Support program that facilitates community planning and priority setting for HIV services. United Way partners with individuals, local businesses, government, and other nonprofit agencies to open opportunities and close gaps in Central Florida. Visit www.HFUW.org for more information, or call (407) 835-0900. Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn at Heart of Florida United Way and Twitter and Instagram @hfuw.

About Seminole State College of Florida
Seminole State College of Florida, established in 1965, serves more than 24,000 students across four campuses in Central Florida and online. Guided by its purpose, Your Learning Partner for Career Success, Seminole State is a full-service education provider that thrives by adapting to and meeting the needs of an ever-changing, growing, vibrant region.

From associate and bachelor’s degrees to workforce certifications and adult education, Seminole State offers flexible, affordable, high-quality programs that prepare students for fulfilling and family-sustaining careers. Learn more at seminolestate.edu.