Greetings from Orlando!

Our Story

Orlando Welcome was born out of a passion for connecting with people from different cultures and backgrounds. Our founders, Uncle Roy and Leora, Joel and Tanique, have all experienced the joys and challenges of living in a foreign country or welcoming foreigners to their own. They have also witnessed the amazing impact of hospitality, friendship, and practical support on the lives of internationals in Central Florida.

Uncle Roy and Leora started taking trips to Epcot every year since 1989 to meet and connect with Castmembers from other nations. On each trip they would find ways to be a blessing to them. In 2001, they decided to retire and move to Florida to give the International Castmembers at Epcot their full attention. They did everything from rides to the Asian supermarket, doctors, driving lessons, provided temporary housing, free linens and blankets, etc. They became like grandparents to hundreds of them over the years.

In 2015, Roy was concerned about his age and failing health and who would help these kids if he no longer could. That’s when he met Joel and Tanique, who had also befriended some Chinese Castmembers from Epcot and quickly became good friends. They shared stories about their lives and about the hardships of migration which Joel knew all too well. Joel’s family migrated to the USA in 1989 and it was not easy. He uniquely understood the challenges immigrants face in adapting to a new culture.

Joel and Tanique had also lived in China for four years and know the difficulty of adapting to a new culture. It was the warm welcome of the Chinese in their community that helped them adapt and learn the basics like getting groceries, negotiating, paying bills, and going to the doctors. They realized that many internationals coming to Central Florida face similar challenges and need a helping hand and a friendly face.

So in 2015 they founded Orlando Welcome, an organization aimed at assisting internationals coming to Central Florida. Almost all of those we serve come alone and have little to no networks here to help them. Orlando Welcome helps to connect them with resources that are already here in the city.

Our Mission and Vision

Our mission is to help internationals feel at home in Central Florida by providing them with hospitality, friendship, and practical support. We want to make their transition easier and more enjoyable by offering them:

• Transportation services
• Temporary housing
• Household items
• Language assistance
• Cultural orientation
• Social events
• Community referrals

Our vision is to see internationals thrive in Central Florida and contribute to the diversity and richness of our city. We believe that every person has a unique story and a valuable perspective to share. We want to create a culture of mutual respect, appreciation, and learning among people from different backgrounds and beliefs. We want to celebrate the beauty of diversity and the power of unity.

Our Values

We are guided by the following values in everything we do:

• Respect: We respect the dignity, rights, and beliefs of every person.
• Compassion: We care about the needs, feelings, and challenges of every person.
• Service: We serve others with generosity, humility, and excellence.
• Friendship: We build genuine and lasting relationships with others.
• Learning: We seek to learn from others and share our knowledge and skills.