Media Release

​ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - Alachua County is seeking applicants for the City of Gainesville/Alachua County Empowerment Center Oversight Advisory Board. The County is looking for applicants to fill vacancies on the Citizens Work Group. The Work Group assists with homelessness-related issues impacting the Empowerment Center. They gather information from those served, and act as the policy experts on broader homeless issues. The work group reports its recommendations to the Oversight Board and helps to establish short and long–term priorities.

The Empowerment Center (2845 N.E. 39th Avenue, Gainesville) includes the Grace Marketplace which provides an indoor shelter, an outdoor shelter pavilion, showers, storage, meals, and supportive services to area homeless and those in danger of becoming homeless. Supportive services include mental health and substance abuse treatment services.

For more information visit the Grace Marketplace website.

Members appointed to the Citizens Work Group must comply with all provisions contained in the City of Gainesville and the Alachua County Advisory Board Participation Handbooks, including but not limited to the Florida Sunshine and Public Record Laws.

Applications must be received by Thursday, April 7, 2016 to be considered for selection at the Empowerment Center Oversight Advisory Board’s April 13, 2016 meeting.

For more information and to obtain an application, call the Alachua County Community Support Service Department at 352-264-6700, or contact Staff Liaison Tom Tonkavich at ttonkavich@alachuacounty.us, or Marie Small at msmall@alachuacounty.us.