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Goldsboro group presents Florida Children’s Initiative application; resolution on later agenda could bring about $500,000
Summary
Representatives from Goldsboro described community meetings and a state-backed children’s initiative designation that, if approved, could route roughly $500,000 or more to local programs; the commission was asked to support Resolution 3,383 later that evening.
At a Sanford City Commission work session on May 12, 2025, community organizers from Goldsboro described months of neighborhood meetings tied to a state-backed children’s initiative and asked the city to support Resolution 3,383, which appears on the commission’s regular-meeting agenda for a later vote.
Nicole Osborne, the city’s community relations and neighborhood engagement director, introduced Rod Love, who spoke about the Goldsboro Main Street application for the program the presenters referred to as "Credo to Careers." Love told commissioners residents met repeatedly from November through March to review local statistics, poverty rates and educational indicators and to develop a strategic plan centered on children and families.
“The things that took place regarding the Florida Children's Initiative in the Goldsboro community was absolutely incredible to have the community come out and participate,” Rod Love said. He described the process as involving local partners including the school system, law enforcement and private businesses. Love said the initiative was sanctioned by the Florida Legislature in 2008 and that the program’s budget is “cemented in statute,” meaning award amounts depend on the number of organizations that successfully complete the designation process.
Osborne said that if the application is approved, the Goldsboro community stands “in line to receive somewhere in the neighborhood of about half a million dollars, if not more.” She asked commissioners to review the request and respond to any questions.
Commissioners thanked the presenters and asked about the factors behind the application’s local turnout and its challenges. Love credited local leadership and external researchers for helping residents both identify needs and create measurable priorities. Commissioners also noted local outreach efforts such as “Sanford Speaks,” which they said helped give young people a forum to speak about difficult topics.
Resolution 3,383 is on the commission’s regular meeting agenda for a vote of support later the same evening; no formal vote on the resolution occurred during the May 12 work session.
The presenters said a strategic plan will be distributed to city officials and community partners. Details on the specific program activities that would be funded, reporting requirements tied to the designation, and any required local matching funds were not specified at the work session.
City staff and commissioners expressed appreciation for the Goldsboro residents and local partners who participated in the planning process and said they would review the application packet ahead of the scheduled vote.
