The mission of the Urban League is to assist Central Floridians in achieving social and economic equality
The Central Florida Urban League was founded on August 5, 1977, and chartered as a national organization on May 28, 1978. An affiliate of the National Urban League, our chapter was created by respected community leaders who believed Orlando’s African-American community would benefit from professional, economic and social support. Today, more than 40,000 residents have benefited from our various empowerment programs.
The National Urban League was founded in the early 20th century to assist African-Americans in the Northeast who had fled the segregationist South, only to discover that racial discrimination has no geographic boundaries. Its first agency opened in 1910 in New York City and is headquartered there today, leading the efforts of its local affiliates through the development of programs, public policy research and advocacy.
Last year, the CFUL launched Meet the Bankers: an initiative solely dedicated to financial stability. During the pilot of this project, CFUL provided low-to-moderate income individuals with the chance to meet one-on-one with a representative from the bank partner to discuss personal financial issues as well as develop a strategy to achieve financial goals.
The Meet the Bankers pilot project recruited more than 100 unbanked people, who subsequently opened new accounts, totaling a collective balance of over $20,000.
The Mission
The mission of the Urban League is to assist Central Floridians in achieving social and economic equality. The Central Florida Urban League has taken a leading role in financial empowerment from budgeting and saving to buying one’s first home.
Programs such as our Meet the Bankers initiative pair individuals with banking professionals to discuss the finer points of credit, budgeting and saving. Additionally, CFUL ensures adults have access to the tools they need to secure full-time employment. From developing soft skills, such as résumé writing and preparing for an interview, to the tedious process of searching for employment, these programs give individuals the support they need to enter the workforce.
What Would You Do with $5,000 and a Day of Service?
CFUL would use the $5,000 to assist 300+ people on our waiting list for the Meet the Bankers project. Additionally, CFUL would work with volunteers to conduct a financial wellness day at 10 Orange County Public Schools for students, teachers and parents.