Media Release

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL – The Alachua County Commission, the Southwest Advocacy Group (SWAG), and the Partnership for Strong Families (PSF) are pleased to announce the Renovation Kick-Off for the SWAG Family Resource Center.  The kick-off ceremony will take place on Thursday, February 9, 2012, at 1 p.m., at the Center (807 SW 64th Terrace, Gainesville).  The public is invited and encouraged to attend.  Refreshments will be served.

Click to learn more about SWAG.

“This is a great example of partners and stakeholders joining with government to address the needs of citizens,” commented County Manager Rick Drummond.  “It is amazing and heartening to see what a single minded group of people can accomplish when they have the determination and patience to pursue the collaboration necessary to make this kind of project a reality.” 

The Alachua County Commission allocated $225,000 to purchase and renovate two buildings in the Southwest community.  One will serve as a neighborhood based resource center, and the second as a public health clinic.  The Rotary Clubs of Gainesville Foundation awarded the project $57,000 for furnishings, appliances, and computers.

Learn more about the Rotary Clubs of Gainesville Foundation.

View other Renovation Partners.

View the SWAG Family Resource Center Plans.

After the purchase, the Partnership for Strong Families, the community-based care provider of child protective services in North Central Florida, offered to provide a full-time manager to run the facility.

Learn more about Partnership for Strong Families.

“I am so proud and fortunate to be part of the SWAG movement,” said Katie Fields, SWAG Family Resource Center manager.  “It is so rewarding to see the efforts of people from the neighborhoods, advocates from neighboring communities and community leaders coming together to create SWAG Family Resource Center.  It will no doubt serve as an emblem of power, commitment, trust, and collaboration.”

“We are excited to see the renovation begin on the SWAG Family Resource Center and look forward to the day when the doors open,” said Shawn Salamida, President/CEO of Partnership for Strong Families.  “We are glad for the opportunity to partner with SWAG and the County on this important project and look forward to seeing the impact that meeting this community’s needs has on improving outcomes for our most vulnerable children.”

For more information, contact the Alachua County Communications Office at 352-264-6979.

If any accommodations are needed for persons with disabilities, please contact the Equal Opportunity Office at (352) 374-5275 or (352) 374-5284 TDD.