From the Orange County Newsroom

In Summary:

Central Florida Dreamplex will use a $15,000 Orange County grant to purchase uniforms and specialized wheelchairs for its youth basketball program. The investment is intended to make adaptive sports more accessible to young athletes who may face financial barriers to participation. The Orlando Magic Dreamers program gives players opportunities to compete, build confidence and become part of a team.

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Orange County’s Neighborhood Services Division has awarded Central Florida Dreamplex a $15,000 Youth Sports Enhancement Grant. The funds will help the local nonprofit to expand its Orlando Magic Dreamers youth wheelchair basketball program.

“Wheelchair basketball gave me a space where my disability didn’t hold me back,” said Adriel Rosario, a 16-year-old member of the Orlando Magic Dreamers. “The team gave me a community where I belong and a court where I can compete at full strength.”

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The grant will support the purchase of uniforms and specialized sports wheelchairs. Due to the high cost of sports wheelchairs, the County’s investment will expand access to adaptive sports and create more opportunities for athletes ages 5 to 18 who might otherwise be left watching from the sidelines.

“We are incredibly grateful to Orange County for investing in our athletes,” said Cameron Gomes, CEO of Central Florida Dreamplex. “This grant will help more young people get onto the court, build confidence, and experience the belonging that comes from being part of a team.”

The Youth Sports Enhancement Grant provides financial support for facility improvements and program enhancements for eligible nonprofit organizations that offer public youth sports programs. To qualify, organizations must ensure that their programs are accessible to all participants and do not require exclusionary eligibility criteria.

To learn more about the grant or other funding opportunities from Orange County’s Neighborhood Services Division, visit Neighborhood Services Grants Program | Engage Orange County.

Key Points:

Orange County awarded Central Florida Dreamplex a $15,000 Youth Sports Enhancement Grant.
The money will support the Orlando Magic Dreamers youth wheelchair basketball program.
Grant funds will be used to purchase uniforms and specialized sports wheelchairs.
The program serves adaptive athletes between the ages of 5 and 18.
Orange County’s grant program supports facility and program improvements for eligible nonprofits offering accessible public youth sports.

About Orange County Government: Orange County Government strives to serve its residents and guests with integrity, honesty, fairness and professionalism. Located in Central Florida, Orange County includes 13 municipalities and is home to world-famous theme parks, one of the nation’s largest convention centers and a thriving life science research park. Seven elected members make up the Board of County Commissioners, including the Mayor, who is elected countywide. For more information, please visit www.OCFL.net or go to Orange County Government’s social media channels.

Keywords

Orange County,

Central Florida Dreamplex,

Orlando Magic Dreamers,

wheelchair basketball,

adaptive sports,

youth sports,

Youth Sports Enhancement Grant,

sports wheelchairs,

athletes with disabilities,

nonprofit funding