Thank you to everyone who came out and supported us for our Fall Festival 2023. What a great showing of community support. We are all working hard to make people’s lives better. People who experience chronic mental illness are often left out of our community. But not any more. Look at all the happiness here today. You can see it on everyone’s faces. Gainesville Police Department City of Gainesville, FL – Government Alachua County Alachua County Sheriff Gainesville Fire Rescue Gainesville Fire Department First Federal Bank Cintas Corporation High Springs Police Department
In our picture at the top, who lives with mental illness? Who in this picture is a cop? Who in this picture is a licensed medical professional? Can you tell? What you can tell is that they are all happy to be together. That is all that matters. In this picture: Marie Fishman, Dan Maynard, Nicole Dela Cruz, Brandy Stone, Elliott Schmidt, Whisper. Gina Peebles was with Terrica Nelson-Gent. Alexis Henderson, David Stevens, Joan Stevens were together. David is taller than our photo booth. Jordan was on the grill with students from the Alpha Epsilon Delta Honor society. The burgers and dogs were delicious. Thank you to all of our sponsors and everyone who supports our cause. GOC’s Brett Buell was with Commissioner Marihelen Wheeler, High Springs Police Chief Antoine Sheppard, and Michelle from the Sheriff’s Office. Claudia Cuadros and Mia Chisolm showed their flair for fashion. Cintas sponsored the event. It all started with our service agent Jason, who brought our cause to company management. What a great company on so many levels. City Commissioner Bryan Eastman, Valerie Sanders, and Gainesville Community Health Director Brandy Stone enjoyed some time together. New Sheriff Emery Gainey took time to come see our program. We appreciate you, Sheriff. Kathleen Ryan and Nancy Ryan are always there for us. Executive Director Deidra Simon in a photo with Ora Clubhouse’s ED, Leda Perez. Did you know that people who participate in Clubhouse services are less likely to have interactions with law enforcement? Maybe that is why our Sheriff is checking out our program.