Creating ONE single Winter Garden
from North to South and West to EAST
The One Winter Garden Mission
It has been reported that in East Winter Garden (the Winter Garden area historically identified as north of Story Rd, south of Plant St, and east of 9th St) there are over 1,600 individuals. Nearly half of the families that comprise these individuals earn less than $25,000 per household. Many of them are spending as high as 80% of their income in rent and unemployment in this area is reported to be over 25%.
For years many saw East Winter Garden as a wholly separate community from the rest of Winter Garden, which is thriving economically. This stigma has stumped potential within the East Winter Garden community and has made it difficult for the micro economy within the community to thrive. Change is needed and is coming.
One Winter Garden supports a concept of unity and participation whereby individuals from within East Winter Garden and other areas of Winter Garden and West Orange come together to advocate for our historic community.
If you believe in East Winter Garden you have a home in our organization. We meet monthly and work toward solutions rather than harping on past problems.
One Winter Garden works along side the City of Winter Garden, Habitat for Humanity, and other great organizations to meet our community's needs and goals. There has been incredible progress, and much more is to come.
Winter Garden's future is bright, together we are stronger. #OneWinterGarden
A Landmark Achievement
After working with One Winter Garden, on February 8th, 2024, the City of Winter Garden officially designated our area through resolution for the first time in our history. This is a powerful statement and monumental step. We are officially the Historic East Winter Garden Neighborhood.
This came through the efforts of our president Danykqua Faulk, vice president Chloe Johnson Brunson, treasurer Austin Arthur, and our board including past President Jamie Holley, Mother Charlie Mae Wilder, Patricia Angry, Carol Ward, Eric Debose, Angelia Taylor Dean, and community members and neighboring allies such as Lynette Fields and many others.
The City worked very carefully with us to make sure this was right. We proposed map changes, verbiage adjustments, and added historical landmarks such as the Maxey Community Center, the former historic Maxey Elementary School building, and the historic Charles R. Drew High School. The City made sure this was about our people, and they saw us.
From East Winter Garden to City Hall
Our vice president, Chloe Johnson Brunson, was born and raised in East Winter Garden. On April 11, 2024 she was sworn in as Winter Garden City Commissioner for District 3, the district that serves our historic neighborhood, after winning 68 percent of the vote.
At 36 she became the youngest woman ever to serve on the Winter Garden City Commission, and the first Black woman on the commission since Charlie Mae Wilder. She took the oath on her own family Bible.
Chloe founded the I Am Her Women's Empowerment Ministry and has served on the city's Planning and Zoning Board and CRA Advisory Board. Her election means East Winter Garden has one of its own at the table.
"We are proud of our unique history. We have a heritage of loving family, loving friends, and loving God. We are strong people that have been through a lot. But as God's word teaches in Isaiah 41:10: 'So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.'"
Support Us
If you can not give time, please consider a donation. Every gift helps us advocate for East Winter Garden families, youth programs, and infrastructure improvements.
East Winter Garden Plan
By the City of Winter Garden
In 2018 the City of Winter Garden created an initiative titled "Plan East Winter Garden," working together with community locals to create a comprehensive plan that is still being worked on today.
"This report will help city leaders, the business community, non-profit organizations, and residents, ensure that change in East Winter Garden diversifies the neighborhood's economy, increases employment opportunities, improves the health of residents, improves homeownership and housing conditions, and upgrades the quality of life. Five 'Big Ideas' form the key recommendations of this plan."
One Winter Garden is not officially associated with the City of Winter Garden nor does it necessarily endorse or reject this plan. We are providing it here as a resource to our community.
