ORLANDO, Fla. \u2013 Former Orlando District 5 Commissioner Regina Hill is raising concerns about the City of Orlando\u2019s new plans for the Jackson Community Center in Parramore, saying residents have been asking questions about what changes mean for the neighborhood\u2019s longtime resource.<\/p>\n
\u201cService is the rent I owe for being here,\u201d Hill said Monday, as she pressed city leaders for clarity.<\/p>\n
Hill, who was raised in Parramore and previously attended programs at the Jackson Center, said some community members recently approached her believing the facility would eventually be used only for 13-year-olds. She argued the center has traditionally served a wide range of residents \u2014 including seniors and adults \u2014 not just youth.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor seniors, for community members to come and work out because there\u2019s a health and wellness component that\u2019s community-related to this facility,\u201d Hill said.<\/p>\n
The City of Orlando says the Jackson Center will shift its after-school focus starting Tuesday. Going forward, the center will operate as an after-school program for students in grades six through eight, Monday through Friday.<\/p>\n
City leaders said the middle school years were chosen intentionally, describing the time as critical for keeping kids on a positive path.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is primetime when you talk about going in the right direction, wrong direction,\u201d said current District 5 Commissioner Shan Rose.<\/p>\n
Commissioner Rose said the decision was also driven by concerns raised by residents.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve had community fights in the neighborhood and they\u2019ve told us they don\u2019t have anywhere to go,\u201d Rose said.<\/p>\n
Another city official said middle school students in mixed-age households often don\u2019t get space of their own.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you have mixed households middle school kids don\u2019t really get a chance\u2026 to breathe, to think, to process. They\u2019re always in like second parent mode,\u201d said Commissioner Rose.<\/p>\n
The city emphasized that other parts of the Jackson Center\u2019s services will remain available, even as the after-school programming shifts toward middle school students.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can still rent the center for activities. You can still come to the weight room. Our seniors program will remain the same,\u201d a city representative said. \u201cBut what\u2019s changing is our after school\u2026 making sure [middle school kids] have a place that\u2019s safe to call their own.\u201d<\/p>\n
City leaders said the goal is to support students during a key stage and help them grow into well-rounded members of the community.<\/p>\n
City officials said the change is part of a broader approach to provide after-school options across Orlando:<\/p>\n
Downtown Rec Center: after-school care for high school students<\/p>\n
Callahan Center: programs for elementary students<\/p>\n
Jackson Community Center: middle school after-school programming beginning Tuesday<\/p>\n
The city said new programs at the Jackson Center will include STEM, culinary and dance.<\/p>\n
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