2016 Annual Florida Bar Convention: Dueling Dragons Outreach Program

The Dueling Dragons of Orlando Dragon Boat Team is a partnership between at risk teens and police officers from the Orlando Police Department who team up in a cooperative and competitive boat racing event. The kids come from programs like City’s Operation Positive Direction, Parramore Kidz Zone, and the City’s Families, Parks and Recreation Department. Both police officers and kids participate as volunteers in the racing program. Dragon Boats have 20 seats, 41 feet of hull, and require 21 people to paddle. The premise is simple: only by working together will the racers get from point A to point B.

In this Special Report, host Laurence Colletti sits down with Andrea Eliscu, founder of Dueling Dragons of Orlando, which was the subject of her presentation at the Business Law Section and International Law Section Joint Luncheon during the 2016 Annual Florida Bar Convention. Since the inception of her program, no participating kid has been arrested, lowered their GPA, or dropped out of school. In addition, no participating officer has been accused of misusing their power while performing their duties as a peace officer.

Financially managed by The Orlando Community and Youth Trust, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Dueling Dragons of Orlando is funded by many generous contributions both in time and money. These donations are used to put on racing events and provide meals to participating kids on practice/competition days.

Charitable mentions:

• Harris Rosen
• NeuroSpine Institute (Dr. Robert Masson)
• Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation
• BB&T Bank (They also let the kids job shadow with a banker)
• TrakMedia Solutions
• Nob Hill
• Walt Disney World
• Universal Studios
• Frank Santos
• Susan Potter Norton

Special mentions for police guests called to service:

• City of Orlando Chief of Police John Mina
• Evelyn Aponte (administrative specialist to the Chief)

Andrea Eliscu is the founder of Dueling Dragons of Orlando, a boat racing program which pairs at risk kids and police officers together in a cooperative activity designed to bring peace and understanding to its participants. Ms. Eliscu is a registered nurse and medical marketing specialist with decades of healthcare experience. She founded Medical Marketing Inc. and serves as its president where she provides leadership and guidance to its clients and serves as a resource to local and national industry trade organizations and media on health care related issues.