The Youth & Family Services Division seeks to involve individuals, civic groups, professional affiliations and the corporate community with its programs through volunteerism. Volunteers play a crucial role in fulfilling the Division's mission.

The Division's Volunteer Program offers a number of opportunities that include:

• Mentoring a youth to give guidance and be a positive role model
• Tutoring a youth to help improve and develop academic skills
• Being a Reading Buddy to reinforce reading skills
• Gaining experience and knowledge in our Internship program
• Assisting in the Office and with Special Events
• Community Relations Fact Sheet(393K)

All volunteers complete an application and background screening prior to volunteering. A Division orientation is completed with the Volunteer Coordinator and a Program Orientation is completed with a Program staff before assignment. Supervision and guidance are provided to create a positive volunteer experience.

Program Contact:
Donar.Johnson@ocfl.net

Click here for the following information:
Volunteer Application (PDF - 142 KB)
Intern Application (PDF - 138 KB)
Personal Reference (PDF - 58 KB)
Background Screening (PDF - 98 KB)

The Community Relations office is responsible for raising funds and donations for Youth & Family Services Division programs. The Children and Family Services Board advises on the use of all donated funds.

Donated funds benefit the children living in the foster care group homes; Great Oaks Village and Laurel Hill Independence Center, as well as runaway and homeless youth at the Youth Shelter. 100% of all donated funds are used for educational, cultural and enrichment activities programs, fees, materials, and recreation activities.

Orange County is a charter county and a political subdivision of the State of Florida, duly created and existing under and by virtue of the Constitution, laws of the Sate of Florida and the Orange County charter. Individuals should contact their tax advisor to determine whether the donation is tax deductible.

Corporate Golf Tournament (Spring): Our annual "Driving Fore Education" Corporate Golf Tournament raises funds for Great Oaks Village. Sponsorships include lunch sponsor, award sponsor, ball sponsor, beverage cart sponsor, corporate foursomes, and hole sponsors.

Book Bag Campaign (Summer): Provide a child with a book bag and supplies they need to succeed in school. Sponsorship amounts are $30 for elementary, $40 for middle school, and $50 for high school students. (Link to flier).
Book Bag Campaign Flier (PDF - 434 KB)

• $200 per youth in one of our foster care group homes, Great Oaks Village or Laurel Hill Independence Center.
• $100 per youth in our Youth Shelter.
• Families are referred for sponsorships who are currently working with our Division programs and who have been determined unable to provide for the holidays due to unforeseen financial hardship or medical issues. Sponsorship amounts can vary depending on family size.

Donations should be made payable to:
Great Oaks Village
(Cash/Check and Visa/Master Card accepted)

Donations can be mailed to:
Orange County Youth and Family Services Division
Community Relations
1718 E. Michigan Street
Orlando, FL 32806

Donation contact:
Donar Johnson, Community Relations Manager/407.836.7692
Community Relations Office/407.836.8938