Addition Financial Credit Union Unveils Five Newly Transformed School Support Centers for Students and Families in Need

Renovate to Educate initiative expands to five Central Florida schools, helping remove barriers to learning before the new school year begins

LAKE MARY, Fla. (August 03, 2026) – Just days before students return to the classroom, Addition Financial Credit Union and the Addition Financial Foundation are celebrating the completion of its 2026 Renovate to Educate initiative by unveiling newly transformed needs spaces at five public schools across Central Florida.

Designed to serve students and families experiencing homelessness or financial hardship, these welcoming support centers are stocked with food, clothing, hygiene products, and other everyday essentials -- resources intended to help students arrive at school ready to learn and succeed.

Following the success of last year's inaugural needs space renovations, the Foundation expanded the program in 2026 to include Volusia County, along with returning partner school districts in Orange, Seminole, Lake, and Osceola counties -- continuing its commitment to removing barriers that can stand in the way of a student's education.

This year's participating schools include:

• Deltona Middle School (Volusia County)

• Discovery Intermediate School (Osceola County)

• Eustis Heights Elementary School (Lake County)

• Meadowbrook Middle School (Orange County)

• Seminole High School – 9th Grade Center (Seminole County)

According to local district data, more than 20,000 students across these five Central Florida counties are currently experiencing homelessness, highlighting the growing need for school-based resources that support students beyond the classroom.

“Deltona Middle School now has a needs space stocked with food, clothing, and everyday essentials, thanks to the Addition Financial Foundation,” said Dr. Carmen Balgobin, Superintendent for Volusia County Schools. “This space is a testament to the importance of community partnerships, as it provides students and families who need extra support with the resources they need to thrive. Volusia County Schools is grateful to have a partner like Addition Financial who is committed to our students’ success.”

Working alongside Seminole State College's Interior Design Program, Addition Financial collaborated with each school to design spaces tailored to its unique needs. Throughout the summer, dozens of Addition Financial Credit Union team members volunteered their time to paint, assemble furniture, organize supplies, decorate the rooms and stock shelves with essential items before the start of the new school year.The 2026 program also marked a new milestone for Renovate to Educate, as a coalition of local businesses came together to support the initiative for the first time. Avalon Park Group, Taino's Bakery, Jasmin Hospitality Management, Velera, Evok, Logas Law, Trademark Press and Thomas Printworks collectively donated more than $10,000 to help furnish, decorate and stock the five school support centers, demonstrating a shared commitment to ensuring local students have access to the resources they need to succeed.

"Every student deserves the opportunity to learn, grow and reach their full potential, but learning becomes incredibly difficult when a child is worried about where their next meal is coming from or whether they have clean clothes or basic hygiene items," said Cristina Lehman, Executive Director of the Addition Financial Foundation. "These spaces are about so much more than food or clothing. They're about creating a trusted resource students and families know they can depend on during difficult times while providing the dignity, compassion and sense of belonging every child deserves. Seeing our volunteers, school partners and local businesses come together to make that possible reminds us of what can happen when a community rallies around its students."

"We are incredibly excited to be a part of this year’s Renovate to Educate program,” said Dr. Jaime B. Washington, Principal at Seminole High School 9^th Grade center. “This investment is providing additional resources that will help us create a more welcoming, engaging, and supportive campus experience. When students have access to resources, they are better positioned to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. We look forward to seeing the lasting benefits it will bring to our school community."

Each renovated support center serves as a centralized resource within the school where students and families can access necessities free of charge in a welcoming, thoughtfully designed environment. In addition to providing immediate assistance, the spaces help school staff respond more quickly and discreetly when students or families experience unexpected hardships.

Originally launched in 2018 as a classroom makeover initiative recognizing outstanding teachers, Renovate to Educate evolved in 2025 to focus on transforming school support centers after Addition Financial Foundation leaders and school partners identified an opportunity to create a broader, lasting impact for entire school communities.