Re-Entry

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Compass and photos of workers

The Alachua County Library District and Partnership for Strong Families, in collaboration with community partner organizations, host the annual Re-Entry Partnership Conference each spring. The Re-Entry Partnership Conference and the Community Job and Resource Fair help returning citizens and others struggling to re-enter the workforce with learning job skills, accessing educational programs, and discovering entrepreneurship opportunities.

Re-Entry Resources

Community Connections

Torchlighters Re-Entry Support, Seeks to create a community of peers that can help light the way home for one another, (352) 559-4505    

Re-Entry: An Insider's Guide - Advice for coming home to Alachua County by and for formerly incarcerated people

 

UF Mobile Outreach Clinic,  A highly flexible means of delivering health care to the medically under-served in low income neighborhoods and rural areas in and around Alachua County. Please call the office and speak with the nurse at (352) 273-5329 before coming to clinic.

Gainesville Community Ministry, Free medical advice/referral clinic and physical therapy clinic are available for anyone without insurance; first come first serve. Also assist with food pantry, utility and rental deposit assistance. (352) 372-8162

Alachua County Crisis Center, 24 hr/day crisis and suicide intervention phone counseling to all residents of Alachua County. (352) 264-6789 (crisis line), (352) 264-6785 (info. about services)

Partnership for Strong Families (Resource Centers), See specific services & resources for each Center (left side of their page).

Criminal Record Online Toolkit - Understand your record, fix your record, and learn about your legal rights. A project of the Criminal Justice & Employment Initiative at Cornell University.

Apply for Restoration of Civil Rights - Regain your right to vote!, 1-800-435-8286, FL Office of Executive Clemency

Register to vote after your civil rights have been restored. Other options include registering at your local library or Supervisor of Elections Office

 

Education

 

Alachua County Library District (ACLD),

  • Headquarters Reference Desk, (352) 334-3940 

Alachua County Public Schools - Adult Education & GED, (352) 955-7035

Gainesville Community Ministry, (352) 372-8162, GED and Work Path Program

Santa Fe College, (352) 395-5000   

Job Search & Skills

Job Skills (ACLD)

Job Club - Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Headquarters Library -Resume building, job search/application assistance, basic computer help, assistance creating an email address, career exploration, brush up on soft skills, interview preparation & practice. 

Fair Chance Employers, (Certified by Torchlighters)

Career Source/North Central Florida, (352) 955-2245

Essential Skills for Workplace Success (videos) Hosted by UF Community Engagement.

Florida Department of Corrections, Karen Black, Employment Specialist, (352) 224-8731, Karen.Black@fdc.myflorida.com

Gainesville Chamber of Commerce Professional Development Videos

Gainesville Community Ministry Work Path Program, (352) 372-8162

Gainesville Housing Authority Job Training & Entrepreneurial Program, (352) 872-5500 ext. 7103

Starting a Small Business

 

Alachua County Economic Development, (352) 374-5204

City Of Gainesville Economic Development and Innovation, (352) 393-8614

Florida Small Business Resource Guide

Gainesville Housing Authority Job Training & Entrepreneurial Program, (352) 872-5500 ext. 7103

Gator Community Entrepreneurship Initiative: Gator Bootcamp

2023 Re-Entry Partnership Conference

A two-day conference to help community members facing obstacles to employment gain the skills and resources needed to obtain and maintain employment. 

Monday, April 24, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Library Partnership Branch 

  • Learn the importance of communication, mental wellness, and other employment related skills to obtain and keep a job with local employment experts. 

Tuesday, April 25, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Library Partnership Branch 

  • Build a workforce re-entry kit with bus passes, interview clothing, library cards, identification, and phones, as well as connections to local healthcare, childcare, education, and housing providers. 
  • Confirmed providers:
    • Alachua County Department of Community and Support Services
    • Alachua County Victim Services and Rape Crisis Center
    • Health Street
    • Human Rights Coalition of Alachua County
    • Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Inc.
    • River Phoenix Center for Peacebuilding

Register here for the conference! Walk-ins welcome. 

Have questions?

Contact Alachua County Library District at literacy@aclib.us or 352-334-3929, and Library Partnership Resource Center at 352-334-0160.

2019 Re-Entry Partnership Conference

2023 Community Job and Resource Fair

Monday, May 15, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., Headquarters Library, Meeting Room A

Open to all job seekers. Meet with potential employers and representatives from community resource providers to access training, benefits, and more.

Job seekers, you do not have to attend the Re-Entry Partnership Conference to attend the job and resource fair. 

Participating organizations
TBA

For Businesses and Community Partners

You are invited to the Community Job and Resource Fair! Participation is free and includes parking, six-foot table, chairs, and WiFi. 

Register here to have a table at the Job Fair!

Have questions?

Contact the Alachua County Library District at literacy@aclib.us or 352-334-3929, and the Library Partnership Resource Center at 352-334-0160 

Events