The Gainesville Housing Authority, a local organization that provides safe, affordable housing and community programs to residents, held its fourth annual Celebration of Success on Saturday.
The event recognized the employment and academic success of 40 residents and exceptional youth involved with the organization. Each resident fulfilled the requirements for either the Affordable Housing Program, which provides community members with public housing opportunities, or the Housing Choice Voucher Program, which supports families renting houses on the private market.
Held in the Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center, the event included speeches from former award recipients and Gainesville Housing Authority leaders. Following the speeches, each recipient was presented with a certificate and opportunity to have their photo taken.
Pamela E. Davis, the CEO of the Gainesville Housing Authority, has served the Gainesville community for 14 years. Before working for the organization, she worked in housing throughout Florida as a property manager in Boca Raton, Florida, and executive director for Deerfield Beach Housing Authority.
“I grew up in public housing,” Davis said. “So I know what an opportunity can mean for an individual, and so we're just here trying to provide those opportunities, celebrating their successes and really motivating them to say, ‘Hey, this is the start, but the best is yet to come.’”
The organization’s goal is to promote self-sufficiency and self-efficacy among participating families, Davis said.
Beyond shining a light on current achievements, the event also sought to inspire those working toward a better future by looking at the past.
After being recognized in last year’s celebration, Gainesville Housing Authority graduate Shaundria Henry spoke about her success with the organization.
“It's up to you to get up and decide what you want to do and where you want to go,” Henry said, “and know that it is achievable in spite of trials and tribulations and the obstacles that you are up against.”
Henry’s success didn’t come overnight, she said. While she initially faced rejections from multiple jobs, Henry was eventually offered a position with the housing authority. Within a year, she was promoted from community coach to administration clerk to intake specialist.
Along with Henry, previous honoree Efren Lopez remarked on his past and what the Gainesville Housing Authority has done for him.
Lopez initially dropped out of high school, he said, but later returned to school to earn his GED. He went on to obtain his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer science at UF.
“There's no secret to this,” Lopez said, “I just didn't quit. I was afraid most of the time, but I kept going anyway. I didn't get here because I succeeded. I got here because I kept showing up.”
Contact Julia Miller at jmiller@alligator.org. Follow her on X @juliamill30.
