Myths Around Shelters and Visible Homelessness

In a process that took almost a decade, Jon DeCarmine founded the Grace Marketplace in Gainesville, FL, in 2014. The marketplace serves as a low-barrier shelter and one-stop location for services aimed at ending homelessness. Since then, the shelter has housed almost 3,000 people, served more than 20,000 people, and served over one million meals. This has led to a 40% decrease in the number of people living on the streets in Alachua County.

Jon DeCarmine also consults around the country on how communities can better address visible homelessness and get people permanently housed. No two communities are the same, as they all have a unique set of barriers, demographics and budget restrictions.

What are realistic shelter solutions for Pensacola? How can we replicate or build something similar here?

Jon DeCarmine will be speaking at the Wesley Abbey Building of First United Methodist Church on Monday, May 13, from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Wesley Abbey is the white building on the corner of Wright and Palafox. Please also note the earlier start time of this event.

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