The Addition Financial Foundation unveiled transformed “needs spaces” at four Central Florida public schools this week, including Lakeview Elementary School in St. Cloud, to better serve homeless and low-income students and their families ahead of the 2025–2026 school year.
The 2025 Renovate to Educate program marked a significant shift in focus for the Foundation. Traditionally centered on classroom makeovers, the initiative this year targeted dedicated areas within schools stocked with food, clothing, and personal care items for students in need. The goal was to create more inclusive, supportive environments that address essential needs for the entire school community.
Lakeview Elementary in St. Cloud held its reveal on Thursday, while Engelwood Elementary in Orange County, Millennium Middle School in Seminole County, and Leesburg Elementary in Lake County also unveiled their renovated spaces. All four schools were chosen for the program through collaboration with local school districts to identify campuses where the impact would be greatest.
“As of April 2025, there were more than 15,000 homeless students in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, and Lake counties alone,” said Cristina Lehman, Executive Director of the Addition Financial Foundation. “Our Foundation board is proud of the work we’ve done transforming teachers’ classrooms over the years, but we believe we can make an even deeper impact now for more students and families by helping them meet some truly fundamental needs.”
The Foundation partnered with Seminole State College’s Interior Design Program to assess each school’s needs. Over the summer, Addition Financial volunteers painted, installed new flooring, built furniture, organized supplies, and fully stocked the spaces.
The newly renovated spaces are now ready for use as students return to class, offering immediate access to food, clothing, and personal care resources for families facing economic hardship.