On Monday, April 29, Orlando City fans Jeff and Julie Thompson collected over 80 books ranging from children to adult books, fiction, non-fiction, and reference books for the New Image Youth Center Library. The books were collected at previous Orlando City tailgates by one of Orlando’s supporters' groups, the Ruckus.
The birdhouse-shaped little free library is located at 212 S. Parramore Ave. and provides members of the community a free opportunity to read and exchange books while promoting literacy. All book donations are accepted and the birdhouse is always open for book drop offs.
New Image Youth Center is the refuge of 50 youths that live in the Parromore area. The Center offers a safe haven for the children as well as tutoring with homework. On April 17, a new library opened in Parramore with the help of Orlando City, who teamed up with A Little Free Library and New Image Youth Center to complete the project.
Julie Thompson reflected on her first visit to New Image to Orlandocitysoccer.com, saying “The New Image Youth Center is an awesome place inside and out-children on computers, studying and reading. Everyone supporting the efforts of this Center should be very proud of their contributions to not only literacy, but to the children who utilize the facility.”
The community outreach project continues to augment Orlando’s efforts in making our community a better place for everyone.
