Gainesville Housing Authority hosts Black History Month program

Voleer Thomas
·2 min read

Gainesville Housing Authority residents learned about Black history in Gainesville, community resources and the Choice Neighborhood grant during a Black History Month program held Saturday at the Pine Meadows Community Center at 2626 E. University Ave.

Sponsored by the Resident Services Department of GHA, the event was billed as “Revitalizing Our Roots.”

“We wanted them to learn more about Black history and also make choices that will impact their future,” said Freddie Jones, GHA’s resident services specialist.

Jessica Gadson attended the event with her granddaughter and was at a table watching her do arts and crafts.

“I’m so glad somebody did something for Black History Month,” Gadson said. “I love it and enjoy the event. I do my best to come out. I’m glad they got important stuff that we can come out to.”

Pamela Davis, GHA’s executive director, said hosting events like these help residents interact more with their neighbors and the community.

“We’re excited to do a Black History Month program for our residents,” Davis said. “This gives residents an opportunity to know what they want to see from the (Choice) grant.”

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The authority prioritizes promoting self-sufficiency to its residents by offering resources from the community, Davis said.

“We want to let them know the resources in the community so we can bridge any gaps they may have in their household,” Davis said. “If they gain more knowledge, it’s worth it.”

The authority and city of Gainesville last year were awarded a $500,000 Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), according to www.gainesvillechoice.com.

Attendees gather around a table to do arts and crafts at the Gainesville Housing Authority's “Revitalizing Our Roots" Black History Month event on Saturday in east Gainesville. (Credit: Photo by Voleer Thomas, Correspondent)
Attendees gather around a table to do arts and crafts at the Gainesville Housing Authority's “Revitalizing Our Roots" Black History Month event on Saturday in east Gainesville. (Credit: Photo by Voleer Thomas, Correspondent)

The grant will be used to create a plan to redevelop Lake Terrace and Pine Meadows, and revitalize the East University Avenue neighborhood, officials say.

Nidia Volmar, right, a social service intern at the Gainesville Housing Authority hands a shirt to a woman at GHA's “Revitalizing Our Roots" Black History Month event on Saturday in east Gainesville.
Nidia Volmar, right, a social service intern at the Gainesville Housing Authority hands a shirt to a woman at GHA's “Revitalizing Our Roots" Black History Month event on Saturday in east Gainesville.

Residents had the opportunity during the event to share what they would like to see from the project by talking to a Gainesville Choice representative.

For more information about the Choice Neighborhood planning process, visit www.gainesvillechoice.com.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Black history and more focus of Gainesville Housing Authority event