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Orange County Multicultural Center becomes beacon of hope for Pine Hills community

First-of-its kind center opened in 2023

ORLANDO, Fla. – There’s a hidden gem in Pine Hills, one that’s not only changing the landscape but the heartbeat of the community it serves.

The new Orange County Multicultural Center has brought more than just a “wow factor” to the neighborhood — it’s infused Pine Hills with pride, unity, and a vision of hope for a brighter future.

Stepping through the doors, visitors are welcomed by a stunning, vibrant mosaic that spans nearly an entire wall, greeting them with a promise of transformation and possibility. This former grocery store is feeding the needs of a community that has seen so many changes over the years.

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Tamara Johnson is the executive director of the Pine Hills Neighborhood Improvement District. She says the mural is more than mere decoration; it’s a testament to the people of Pine Hills and their journey.

“I look at this, and as crazy and as cliché as it may sound, it speaks to the inception of Pine Hills,” said Johnson with great passion in her voice. “But more importantly, it’s all the pieces that came together to make it happen. Pine Hills’ moniker is ‘many cultures, one bright future,” and when we think of community, the word ‘unity’ sits right in there. That speaks to where we’re going.”

This center, the first of its kind in Orange County, is not just a resource, it’s home, a place that proudly reflects the faces, hopes, and dreams of the Pine Hills community. Beyond its beautiful walls, the center offers spaces for job training, programs for seniors and youth, utility assistance, and even an innovation lab where dreams take shape, quite literally, through 3D design and fabrication.

“They’re going to have 3D simulation opportunities,” Johnson said, her voice full of excitement. “I can design my glasses and create them on the computer, and then walk out with my glasses, created right here.” These words aren’t just about technology; they speak to the heart of the center’s mission. To make the impossible feel possible, right here in Pine Hills.

Since opening just over a year ago, the Multicultural Center has held over 264 events, welcoming families, leaders, and young people eager to celebrate, learn, and grow. For Pine Hills residents, the center represents so much more than a facility; it’s a long-awaited promise kept. When asked why this center is so essential, Johnson’s answer was heartfelt and direct.

“Because it’s needed, and they deserve it. Other communities have things they can take pride in for Pine Hills. This is their new beginning, a beautiful gift for the people.”

This commitment is real, and reflected in every corner of the center, especially when the community needs it most. Following Hurricane Milton, the center has become a designated FEMA site, shifting from its usual role to offering support for residents during a time of crisis. It’s this type of flexibility and dedication that has made the center a beloved cornerstone of Pine Hills.

The vision for this center began with former District 6 Commissioner Victoria Siplin, a leader who saw the potential in Pine Hills and fought to make it a reality.

“If this multicultural center is the blossoming butterfly, then the person who knew it would one day fly is Commissioner Victoria Siplin,” Johnson said, reflecting on Siplin’s lasting impact.

The center has taken Siplin’s dream and made it a shared journey, welcoming residents who have lived through Pine Hills’ past, including its difficult times, and now stand to witness the incredible growth and transformation.

Inside, messages on the walls reflect this spirit.

”We are strong, we are family, and remind everyone who enters that they belong here. This is not our building, it’s your building,” Johnson emphasized.

And indeed, it is. Residents book events months in advance, drawn by the warmth and beauty of the space, a testament to the community’s embrace of the center as their own.

From the mural on the wall to the innovation lab and beyond, the Pine Hills Multicultural Center is a beacon of hope, unity, and pride. It’s a place where dreams are nurtured, and the promise of a bright future is woven into every tile. Here, Pine Hills is more than a neighborhood, it’s a family, united by shared purpose and the belief that together, they are building something truly beautiful.

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