GAINESVILLE, Fla., April 29, 2014 — Gainesville Housing Authority, a community leader in advocating for, developing, and preserving quality affordable housing and self-sufficiency opportunities, today announces its resident-operated Braid Boutique hair salon and Eastside Pop Shop snack store will open on May 7, coinciding with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
Services available at Braid Boutique will be provided by three participants of the Job Training & Entrepreneurial Program (JTEP), who have successfully completed training and earned certifications in hair braiding, sponsored in part by Central Florida Community Action Agency, Inc.
Braid Boutique and Eastside Pop Shop will be located at Pine Meadows, 2626 East University Avenue, Unit 1B, and open Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
“We are excited about opening Braid Boutique and Eastside Pop Shop right on one of our properties,” said JTEP Coordinator Regla Exavier. “We are empowering and making a difference in the lives of our residents, which can have long-term, generational impact. Both businesses will help stimulate the local economy, cultivate the entrepreneurial spirit of our residents, and assist them with achieving self-sufficiency.”
The ribbon cutting ceremony for Braid Boutique and Eastside Pop Shop will be held May 7 at 3:00 p.m. at Pine Meadows.
About Gainesville Housing Authority (GHA)
Since 1966, Gainesville Housing Authority has advocated for and provided affordable housing for eligible individuals and families. GHA works closely with the U.S. Department of HUD, the City of Gainesville, and area agencies and organizations. Strategic collaborations allow the organization to provide many services and opportunities to residents and the entire community. GHA aims to help residents achieve self-sufficiency by building their own wealth they move out of public housing.
About Job Training and Entrepreneurial Program (JTEP)
Launched in April 2012, Gainesville Housing Authority’s JTEP was designed for public housing residents and Section 8 participants to provide individuals facing economic adversity with opportunities to gain valuable skills and experience in order to become self-sufficient and obtain financial security.
About Central Florida Community Action Agency, Inc.
The Central Florida Community Action Agency (CFCAA) is a private, nonprofit, community-based organization whose purpose is to reduce poverty and help low-income individuals and families become self-sufficient in Alachua, Levy, and Marion Counties. CFCAA’s goals are to sensitize the community, government and private sectors to the needs of the poor, promote institutional change, and maintain a service delivery network that provides the opportunity for individuals to move towards self-sufficiency and independence.
Contacts
Gainesville Housing Authority
(352) 872-5500
Teresa Salinas, Family Development Specialist
Central Florida Community Action Agency, Inc.
(352) 373-7667 ext. 205
tsalinas [at] cfcaa.org
cfcaa.org
