Dear Community Member,

Hope City Refuge project, a vital initiative aimed at providing Transformational, Safe Space Housing, Holistic Health Services, and Prevention Resources in East Orlando (Harrell Road, 32825).

Our mission is simple but powerful: to offer a safe, supportive environment for individuals facing crises and other challenges. At the heart of this project is a commitment to compassion, care, and empowerment. Your advocacy and support are essential to helping us bring this vision to life. Together, we can create a space that truly makes a difference for those in need.

🔹 YOUR SUPPORT MATTERS! 🔹

Below, you’ll find simple steps to email and call County officials before March 20th, urging them to support Hope City. 

📢 Send Emails + Make Calls = A Powerful Voice for Change! See instructions below.

✋🏼 Next Hearing: Join us! Come early, Register to Speak so Advisory Board Members know you support Hope City!

📅  Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 9 a.m.
📍 Location: Orange County Administration Building; Planning & Zoning Commission Advisory Board Meeting; 201 S Rosalind Ave (Main Level), Orlando, FL 32801. Parking in free admin bldg. lot, paid lot across the street or paid street parking.

📜 Write/Send a Testimonial: If you have benefited from or brought people to be housed or serviced by Kaleo Ministries, Pastors Marcos and Melissa, please write about your experience and story, and email to JacQuelineMMestre@gmail.com

🔗Share the Change.org link & QR Code: https://www.change.org/HopeCityRefuge

Together, we can make Hope City Refuge a reality. Much Gratitude for standing with us!

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BACKGROUND: Kaleo Ministries, led by Pastor Marcos Diaz and his beloved wife, Melissa, has been faithfully serving the Unhoused/Homeless community in Orlando, Florida, for 12 years. For the past nine years, they have selflessly provided temporary housing, food, clothing, and supportive services to individuals and families with nowhere to turn—welcoming all whom God has placed in their path.

Pastor Marcos Diaz has long felt God's calling to help those in crisis, offering the eight acres of land his family owns as a place of refuge. At one point, up to 150 people, including children, found shelter on this property. However, city officials relocated them last year, and now, Hope City—the vision first proposed in 2006—is finally moving forward.

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📧 EMAIL INSTRUCTIONS - ensure County leaders hear your voice!

1. Copy & Paste the email template below into a new email window
2. Add your name and contact information at the bottom
3. Copy & Paste the below email addresses into the TO: field.
4. Copy & Paste the SUBJECT:
5. Send the email—ensuring County leaders hear your voice!

📜 TO: mayor@ocfl.net; District1@ocfl.net; District2@ocfl.net; District3@ocfl.net; District4@ocfl.net; Maribel.GomezCordero@ocfl.net; District5@ocfl.net; District6@ocfl.net; marrington@ab.ocfl.net; dboers@ab.ocfl.net; gwiggins@ab.ocfl.net; efernandez@ab.ocfl.net; egray@christianservicecenter.org; margeholt4321@gmail.com; cevans@ab.ocfl.net; npena@ab.ocfl.net; nelsonpena2@yahoo.com; ecardenas@ab.ocfl.net, Nikilaus.Wycha@ocfl.net

Subject: Urgent Support for Hope City – Addressing the Unhoused Crisis in Orange County

📩 EMAIL TEMPLATE TO SEND

Dear Orange County Elected Officials and Planning & Zoning Advisory Board Members,

I am writing as a concerned resident of Orange County to urge your support for the Hope City Refuge project on Harrell Road, Orlando, FL 32825. This project is a privately owned and funded initiative that will provide Transformational, Safe Space Housing, Holistic Health Services, and Prevention Resources in East Orlando.

The Unhoused crisis in our county—especially in East Orlando—has reached critical levels. Hope City is a solution we cannot afford to ignore.

On Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 9 a.m., Hope City will go before the Planning and Zoning Advisory Board for the second time. At the last hearing, despite overwhelming community support and a staff recommendation, a decision was delayed. We now urge PZC members to VOTE YES and move Hope City forward.

We Urge County Commissioners to:

✔️ Advocate for zoning and permit approvals to move this project forward
✔️ Ensure fair, transparent and timely processes
✔️ Support Hope City at the March 20, 2025, Planning & Zoning Advisory Board Hearing

Hope City will provide:

🏠 Emergency Housing for individuals and families in crisis, and vulnerable seniors
🏠 Transitional Housing for youth aging out of foster care (ages 18-26)
🏠 Transitional Housing for unhoused seniors—the fastest-growing affected group                                           🏠 Prevention Center for those impacted by life controlling behaviors of all ages

This is not just about housing—it’s about restoring dignity, offering stability, and creating opportunities. Hope City will be a beacon of hope for those working to rebuild their lives.

We watch, we vote, and we expect our elected officials to act with compassion and integrity. I urge you to support this initiative and help remove barriers to making Hope City a reality.

Thank you for your time and leadership on this critical issue. I look forward to your response and seeing Orange County take meaningful steps to address the Unhoused crisis in our community.

If you have any questions or would like to tour the property, please contact JacQueline M. Mestre at (786) 558-3858.

Best regards,

[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information]
[Your Address (if an OC resident)]

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📢 CALL INSTRUCTIONS

Please also call the County Mayor and Commissioners to express your support. If you reach voicemail, leave a message.

CALL SCRIPT:

"Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I am calling to express my strong support for the Hope City Refuge development on Harrell Road (32825). I urge [Mayor/Commissioner’s Name] to support this vital project, which will provide Emergency and Transitional Housing and critical services for vulnerable individuals and families. Please help move this project forward. You can reach me at [Your Number]. Thank you."

📍ORANGE COUNTY MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS:

📞 Mayor Jerry L. Demings: (407) 836-7370
📞 Commissioner Nicole H. Wilson (District 1): (407) 836-7370
📞 Commissioner Christine More (District 2): (407) 836-7350
📞 Commissioner Mayra Uribe (District 3): (407) 836-5140
📞 Commissioner Maribel Gomez Cordero (District 4): (407) 836-7350
📞 Commissioner Kelly Martinez Semrad (District 5): (407) 233-5375
📞 Commissioner Mike Scott (District 6): (407) 836-5860