“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is what are you doing for others?” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Center for Change, Inc. is a community based 501 ( c) 3, non-profit agency providing health education, referrals and supportive services to minority families in Orange County. We take a holistic approach to developing programs which promote and empower individuals to make positive changes in their lives. We believe change can only take place if it occurs first in the heart. Only then will there be behavioral changes that directly affect individuals and facilitate healthier and productive lifestyles.
In the beginning, the Center for Change was a reaction to and a memorial to Renee Melody Fulton. At the age of 45 Renee was at the top of her career, she had the best health care benefits with one of the nation’s top companies dealing in clinical drug research and yet she suffered for one year due to being misdiagnosed with colorectal cancer. By the time she was diagnosed she was in stage 4 of colorectal cancer.
In her memory, the Renee’s Dream Project was conceived. This legacy has steered the agency to seek funding and provide services since 2005. At CFC, we can only imagine the plight of thousands of uninsured and underinsured individuals without the knowledge and resources to prevent the occurrence of colorectal cancer. We must instill in people the importance of taking an active role in preventing this disease. Even after being diagnosed, Renee, who was highly educated, dealt with several cultural barriers that keep many African Americans from doing interventions that promote good health and prolong life. Poor eating habits, fear, denial and the lack of being proactive in treatment options contributed to Renee’s untimely death on September 10, 2003.
After Renee’s death Peggie Burgess, Renee’s sister made a commitment to educate and empower others to take charge of their health. With the help of Percy McKinney a family friend and other loved ones the Center for Change, Inc. was created.
Our Mission: To provide health education and services to individuals and families in need due to economics, social and health disparities.
Vision: To become the premier agency in the state of Florida addressing health and social disparities in the African American, Hispanic American and Caribbean American communities.