Insight Polk examines community conditions and solutions in six target areas: economic & employment opportunity, education, housing, food security, transportation & infrastructure, and quality of life.
LkldNow’s Insight Polk independent reporting is made possible by the Community Indicators Project with funding by GiveWell Community Foundation & United Way of Central Florida. All editorial decisions are made by LkldNow.
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Inside Insight Polk: Challenges and Solutions Shaping Lives in Polk County
Community-informed reporting that connects data, resources and lived experience.
For 15 Years New Beginnings High School Has Offered an Alternative Path to a Degree
Since opening in 2011 to help non-traditional students earn a high school diploma, New Beginnings High School has expanded across Polk county and helped thousands of students graduate.
Polk County Women Mean Business Builds a Community Around Women Entrepreneurs
The new organization pairs traditional business networking with mentorship, mental health resources, professional clothing and a monthly market.
Tutoring, Hot Meals, and ‘AI-Proof’ Trades: Polk’s Free After-School Boys & Girls Clubs
As Polk County students head back to the classroom, families face a familiar after-school hours scramble. Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County helps ease the strain.
Lakeland Regional Hospital’s Discover Program Gives Students In-Depth Healthcare Experience
As Florida faces a growing shortage of healthcare professionals, the Discover Program at Lakeland Regional Health strives to inspire the next generation of providers.
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Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Ensures Legacy of Literacy in Polk
Founded to honor Parton’s father, the program distributed nearly 30,000 books to children in Central Florida in 2025, championing literacy while instilling a love of books and reading from an early age.
Little Free Libraries Open at Lakeland and Winter Haven Bus Terminals
Polk Arts & Cultural Alliance debuts Little Free Libraries at the Lakeland and Winter Haven bus terminals, stocked in part with United Way books aimed at Polk County’s kindergarten readiness gap.
Governor Touts Statewide Progress on Standardized Tests at Lakeland Press Conference
Polk scores have consistently lagged behind the state average by about 10 points but show a parallel upward trajectory.
$80K Grant Expands Polk Reads AmeriCorps Program
The Polk Education Foundation plans to expand AmeriCorps Polk Reads into fourth and fifth grades and five additional schools, with a GiveWell grant honoring Mabel Schaefer.
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Where to Find Free Summer Meals for Polk County Youth
About 1 in 5 children in Polk County live in a household that cannot access enough food — these organizations are trying to bridge the gap.
Young Chefs Take the Spotlight at IDEA Lakeland Cook-Off
National program uses hands-on cooking to build confidence and encourage healthier habits among students.
Small Farm, Big Impact: ‘My Tiny Greens’ Adapts to Polk’s Shifting Ag Landscape
A Lakeland microgreens business born from a homegrown pandemic project shows how small farms are evolving.
Lakeland’s VISTE Sees Rising Senior Food Insecurity as Grocery Costs Continue to Climb
The Lakeland nonprofit is seeing more walk-ins, more anxiety and higher demand as older adults struggle to afford groceries.
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Gospel Village Opens 48 New Apartments for the Chronically Homeless
The biggest expansion in Gospel Inc.’s history welcomes its first residents on Friday, May 15.
Meet ALICE: For One Polk County Mom, the Holidays Reveal the Gaps Families Fall Through
She works full time, goes to school and parents three kids. The holidays reveal how thin the margin really is.
Residents Voice Concerns at Lakeland Housing Authority Board Meeting
Residents and community leaders voiced concerns at Monday’s Lakeland Housing Authority meeting, prompting calls for greater accountability and public dialogue.
Meet ALICE: Earning Above Poverty, Falling Short on Basics
A local father shares what it’s like to live paycheck-to-paycheck, despite decades of work experience — and why he believes more people are ALICE than we realize.
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A Lifeline for the Middle: Polk HealthCare Plan Opens Doors to Thousands More
Polk County Expands HealthCare Plan eligibility to 300% of federal poverty level.
As Polk Ages, Families Struggle to Find Affordable Adult Day Care
More than 12,000 Polk County seniors are estimated to need help with daily activities, but families and providers say cost and logistics often put care out of reach.
For 1 in 5 Students, Reading is a Barrier — Roberts Academy Is Working to Change That
Florida Southern College’s Roberts Academy marks 15 years of helping students with dyslexia close literacy gaps — and reshape their futures.
Lakeland Stayed Bronze for Bikeability. Here’s What Riders Say Needs to Change.
Lakeland is expanding trails, but reaching Silver will require safer routes for everyday riders.
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For Lakeland Residents Without a Car, Getting Around Can Be a Daily Struggle
For about 1 in 13 Lakeland households, getting to work, groceries, school, and doctor visits can mean long walks in heat or rain, missed buses, and costly workarounds.
Polk County Launches Bus Pass Program to Help Residents Get to Court
A new partnership in Polk County is tackling a hidden barrier to navigating the justice system.
Operation Green Light Offers a Path to Help Restore Driver’s Licenses
The one-week event waives collection fees from April 13-17. Full payment is still required.
Free Bus Rides for LVIM Patients Now on Citrus Connection
Free Citrus Connection rides help remove a persistent obstacle to care, essentials and work across Polk County.
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