- May 2, 2018
- Kimley-Horn Corner
The Kimley-Horn Foundation – Orlando Children’s Church
On Saturdays in Orlando, at-risk youth from around the city load onto buses for a common destination. It’s all laughter, excitement, and smiles as the kids look forward to another day at the Orlando Children’s Church (OCC). David Ingram (Kimley-Horn Orlando) has volunteered more than 800 hours at OCC over the past five years—where his dedication and contributions to at-risk kids is nothing short of impactful.
A non-profit organization, OCC began in 2002 with the goal of providing a message of hope to children living in and on the verge of poverty. Years later, OCC has grown into a ministry that serves hundreds of families and has fourteen school buses that pick up over 400 children to attend Saturday church every week. Through physical nourishment, spiritual renewal, and the cultivation of authentic relationships, David and OCC are committed to helping at-risk kids in their community.
Ranging from Pre-K to 12th grade, the kids form meaningful bonds with mentors by reading, socializing, playing games, and participating in a plethora of other recreational activities. One of the things David values most is the opportunity to build relationships with the children. He volunteers as a teacher for 5th and 6th grade boys, working towards their character development and spiritual growth.
“As volunteers, we provide a safe haven and strong foundation for our community’s children,” David says. “We’re able to help them form relationships with people who love and care for them.”
This past year, David and OCC were the recipients of a Kimley-Horn Foundation grant, which will help OCC continue their commitment to these children. It takes an incredible amount of money and volunteer time from dedicated people like David to make sure OCC can operate. The grant money from the Kimley-Horn Foundation will primarily be used for fueling and maintaining the organization’s buses that fill the streets of Orlando every Saturday morning.