CivicCon will host Jon DeCarmine, founder of GRACE Marketplace, at the Wesley Abbey building of First United Methodist Church (2 E Wright) on Monday, May 13, from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
GRACE, founded in 2014 in Gainesville, Florida, serves as a low-barrier shelter and one-stop location for critical services aimed at ending homelessness. Since opening, it has housed almost 3,000 people and served over one million meals. The shelter uses a housing first strategy, recognizing that stable, permanent housing is the only solution to ending homelessness. This approach has led to a 40% decrease in people living on the streets in Alachua County.
Jon DeCarmine also consults nationwide, crafting homelessness solutions that fit unique needs, demographics and budgets. The city of Pensacola has contracted with DeCarmine to determine what viable options are right for our community including realistic cost estimates.
Guests can attend in person or watch a livestream on the PNJ Facebook page.