It’s one of the longest-serving youth organizations in the Parramore community and offers after school and summer programs for at-risk kids. It provides a range of different services to children and youth in grades K-12 at no cost to the participants with a simple mission to change the paths of these students through both education and example.

HOW IT GOT STARTED

Fourteen years ago while serving at the church next door, Dr. Shanta Barton-Stubbs felt called to start New Image. This idea came after years of interacting with neighborhood kids who had nothing to do after school to keep them busy and out of trouble. At 21, Shanta wasn’t even sure what she was building but she recognized the need to give these kids a safe place to learn and play. In 2008, four years after opening, New Image became a fully registered 501(c)(3) non-profit.

A TYPICAL DAY AT NEW IMAGE

During the school year, the center provides a safe haven for students to get their homework done, to play with others, and to enjoy an afternoon meal. During the summer, it offers a 40-hour week program to keep students busy, involved and active.

WHAT MAKES NEW IMAGE UNIQUE?

Shanta is a licensed mental health counselor, which means that she is also a resource always available to students. (And, pretty soon after finishing her Ph.D., Katie will also be a licensed counselor).

A LOOK AT HOW FAR IT’S COME

The center started with eight students; of those eight, one is currently getting a Ph.D. and another works at New Image. Today, New Image annually serves more than 100 students (about 30 to 40 families). One student just recently graduated from Valencia with an associate’s degree and is heading to UCF in the fall for a bachelor’s. 🎉

SO, KATIE, TELL ME HOW I CAN HELP.

Glad you asked, grasshopper. New Image is in need of books, old computers, an outdoor tent to cover its playground area, and basic cleaning supplies.

You can also volunteer your time. Right now, New Image is looking for someone who can tutor students in high school math or people who want to share a specific passion–like cooking and baking in its kitchen or gardening in its community garden.

If you want to volunteer at New Image Youth Center, start by visiting their website here. You can also send them an email or give them a call. And tell ’em we sent you. 

Is there something or someone in the Greater Orlando area that you want to explore further? Something you want to know more about? Send your ideas our way by shooting us an email at hello@pulp.town or tag us on social at #pulptown and @pulptown.

We’ll have one of each. A La Cart, Orlando’s upcoming food truck park, just announced what trucks will be parking there permanently. PokeKai, a Miami concept that serves up fresh poke bowls, burgers and bao buns will be holding down one spot. Meanwhile, Vinny and Kory, a fresh take on Vietnamese and Korean fusion by local chef Vinh Chau Nguyen, will take another. Rounding out the list is Steak it Easy, a Brazilian meats food truck from Connie and Thiago Lisboa. Want to know who/what else to expect? Check out this article from the Sentinel. (Orlando Sentinel)

Bill Nelson is playing dirty. His gubernatorial campaign released a new ad blitz Wednesday targeting “Oil Slick Rick,” a.k.a. Rick Scott, alleging that Scott has been dishonest in his approach to offshore oil drilling in Florida. Nelson also claims that Scott’s asked for an extension on disclosing his finances partly due to how much his net worth has risen since taking office in 2011, which is something to the tune of $46 million. (Orlando Sentinel)

Move over, it’s the law. In Florida, there is a “Move Over” law that has been in effect since July 2012. But state officials say that drivers are still not abiding by the law. Not sure what “Move Over” means? The law states that “a motorist must move over and change lanes to give safe clearance to law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMS, utility workers and in some cases tow-truck drivers.” The penalty is a $166 dollar fine and three points on your record. (WCJB)

Ol’ Johnny Reb sits on a revolution. Most of you might remember the national debate that spawned from moving a Confederate memorial out of Lake Eola to Greenwood Cemetery late last year. What you might not have known: After moving it, city officials opened up a time capsule that was in the base of the statue and added to its contents, artifacts of our city today– like our new city flag, a pride flag representing our LGBTQ community, and documents explaining why the statue was moved. The goal? To have the statue symbolize how much more inclusive our city is today. (Orlando Sentinel)

Publix, where even delivery is a pleasure. Do you commute from Auburndale? Winter Haven? Pub Subs just became even more of a hot commodity for you. Starting next week, Publix will begin using the delivery service Instacart in its hometown of Lakeland and surrounding cities. Fun fact: Publix delivery doesn’t require a membership fee and is the only service that delivers alcohol and liquor from its stores. (Supermarket News)

Oops. In yesterday’s newsletter, we incorrectly said that a medical clinic in Cape Canaveral increased its intake of immigrant children since Trump’s administration started enforcing its new policy. What we really meant to say was a medical center in Homestead, owned by a Cape Canaveral-based medical company, had increased its intake. Here’s the article again for your reference.

CHECK THIS OUT

Just because.

See you Monday, bright and early!

– Pulptown