These agencies and organizations in the Gainesville area can help the formerly incarcerated transition back into the workforce and the community.
Educational Resources
- Alachua County Library District Adult Services
(352) 334-3939 - Alachua County Library District Literacy Program
Theresa Sterling, Literacy Coordinator
(352) 334-3929
Offers basic literacy and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) services to adults who struggle with reading or who want to learn English. - Alachua County School Board/Adult Education and GED
Mike Sanders, Director of Adult Education
(352) 955-7632 - Gainesville Community Ministry
Dr. Maria LeFave, Academic Program Director
GED, pre-GED and Work Path Program
(352) 372-8162 - Gainesville Job Corps Center
GED and charter high school classes and residential/non-residential vocational training facilities for young adults. Must be 16-24 years old, must meet certain requirements.
(352) 377-2555
(800) 733-5627 - Santa Fe College
(352) 395-5000 - Santa Fe College: Adult Education
Julie Falt, Coordinator
(352) 395-5760 - Santa Fe College: Adult Education Career Pathways
Angela McQueen, Career Pathways Specialist
(352) 381-7270 - Santa Fe College: Certificate Programs
(352) 271-2900 - Santa Fe College: Building Construction and Technology
Tom Mason, Academic Advisor
(352) 395-5362 - Santa Fe College: Displaced Homemakers Program
JoAnn Wilkes, Coordinator
(352) 395-5047
Community Resources
- Alachua County Crisis Center
Free mental health evaluations and services.
(352) 264-6789 - Catholic Charities, Inc.
James Dixon specializes in finding resources for individuals recently released from jail/ prison.
(352) 372-0294 ext. 18 - 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 - Helping Hands Clinic
Psychiatric care for all homeless persons. Medical and spiritual guidance also available.
(352) 372-8523 ext. 17 - The Right Services
A portal with contact information for housing, healthcare, job, transportation, and daily needs assistance. - Salvation Army
(352) 376-1743 - St. Francis House
Daily lunches (10:30am-12:50pm), homeless shelter, 413 S Main Street, Gainesville, FL 32601.
(352) 378-9079
Entrepreneurship and Starting a Small Business
- Alachua County
Edgar Campa-Palafox, Alachua County Economic Development Coordinator
(352) 374-5204 - City Of Gainesville
Erik Bredfeldt, Economic Development and Innovation Director
(352) 393-8614 - Florida Small Business
- Gainesville Housing Authority
Cherie Kelly, Job Training & Entrepreneurial Program Director
(352) 872-5500 ext. 7123
Job Searching and Employability
- Career Source/North Central Florida
(352) 955-2245
James Schindler, Local Veterans Employment Representative
(352) 244-5153 - Cone Park Branch Library
Diane Johnson, Branch Manager
(352) 334-0720 - Department of Corrections
Donna Scott, Employment Specialist
(352) 225-4044 - Gainesville Community Ministry Work Path Program
(352) 372-8162 - Gainesville Housing Authority
Cherie Kelly, Job Training & Entrepreneurial Program Director
(352) 872-5500 ext. 7123 - Library Partnership
Tina Bushnell, Manager
(352) 334-0165