The Children’s Trust of Alachua County (CTAC) celebrated the opening of its new location with a ribbon-cutting, dedication and open house on Saturday.
Food trucks, CTAC partners and entertainment filled the parking lot to welcome the public, as well as local dignitaries.
“I believe in the African proper that it takes a village to raise a child, and to me, a village highlights the connectedness of the community,” CTAC Executive Director Marsha Kiner said in a speech. “We collectively want to ensure… the whole child’s development and wellbeing. It is not solely the parent’s responsibility. It is our collective responsibility, and that is what we here at the trust believe It is what we do day in and day out on your behalf.”
Kiner credited CTAC Board Chair Ken Cornell for pushing to get the Trust into a permanent building.
The last location went up for sale through Colliers Realty, and staff had presented a contract for the new building for $1,950,000 by late 2023. The new location is 4010 NW 25th Pl. in Gainesville, which Kiner said is centrally located in the county.
“This facility was envisioned when we first started the Trust, because we know we needed a place, a place that we could gather, that we could work from, that we could share,” Cornell said in a speech. “And that’s what today is all about.”
Cornell said he used to say he ran for office to make the area better for his children, but now he has two new grandchildren who have become his new reason for working to make the place better. He encouraged attendees to consider the children in their lives and know that the Children’s Trust exists for them.
As part of the celebration, and in addition to the CTAC partners with booths set up in the parking lot to meet attendees, several other partners put on performances and gave speeches about the benefits of their services.
Students from Star Center Theatre and Gainesville Circus Center performed their work, PALS THRIVE Program Manager Yanel Casanova presented on her program, high school senior Aniya Williams told how TeensWork Alachua has helped build her resume, and Youth Poet Laureate Annika Gamad read a poem she wrote.
“We have exceptional young people in our community, I believe all we have to do is invest in them,” Kiner said.
Children’s Trust board members joined Kiner and Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce COO Ian Fletcher to cut the ribbon on the new building, then religious leaders blessed the building.
Bishop Christopher Stokes, pastor of New Beginnings Christian Worship Center, introduced representatives from the Bahá’ís of Gainesville, the Islamic Community Center of Gainesville and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, each of whom voiced their support of CTAC and prayed for area children.
Why does Children’s Trust need a $1.95 million building? What happens there?
CTAC funds and supports a variety of community services and programs, including early childhood education, childcare, mental health services, and programs addressing special needs.
They provide services that support the well-being of local children. They prioritize the health and well-being of mothers and children. They support mentorship and childcare programs. They work to ensure the safety of children and families in the community. In 2024, the 80 community programs supported by the CTAC served over 25,000 people, including over 21,000 children, nearly 4,000 parents, and over 600 professionals
Great photos! Thanks.