Zebra Coalition House Opens Their Doors on Mills Avenue

It’s official – the brand new Zebra Coalition House is open for business. Yesterday, City of Orlando District 4 Commissioner Patty Sheehan, the Zebra Foundation for Youth Board of Directors (including Appleton’s Diana LaRue), Zebra Coalition members, and community supporters took part in the formal ribbon cutting ceremony at Zebra’s new location on North Mills Avenue.

The Zebra home is a local resource for LGBTQ youth who are in need of a safe and supportive communal environment. Additionally, the space will offer case management and counseling, peer support and discussion groups, art and music therapy, educational and therapeutic workshops.

Renovations to Zebra’s new two-story, white and black house with a red door was made possible, in part, by a $500,000 grant from The Bryce L. West Foundation and more than two dozen business contributions. The city of Orlando also donated $50,000 for case management services.

The event caught the attention of several media outlets including WESH 2 News, Central Florida News 13, The Orlando Sentinel, Watermark, and more. Guests received a guided tour of the house, as well as a chance to meet “Willie,” a seven-year-old zebra from Ocala. “Willie” acts as a symbolic mascot for The Coalition. The celebration ended with Commissioner Sheehan reading a proclamation from the city, declaring Dec. 5 as Zebra Coalition Day in Orlando.

To make a donation or learn how you can get involved, visit ZebraYouth.org. The Coalition is currently accepting donations for the Hope for the Holidays Drive 2012. To view the list, please click here.

Zebra’s new located at 911 North Mills Ave Orlando, FL 32803, directly across from Funky Monkey Wine Company and a diagonal walk from The Center.

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Photos courtesy of Judy Watson Tracy Photography.