At Girls Place, we empower girls to grow courageous, strong and self sufficient. We inspire our girls to celebrate themselves—their minds, their hearts, and their physical well being.
Mission
Vision
Girls Place girls become independent women who embrace diversity, express their ideas, rise above obstacles, enhance their communities, and lead those around them.
Values
At Girls Place, we believe that all girls should be inspired, challenged and nurtured to become their very best.
Contact Information
Visit Us!
2101 NW 39th Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32605
Call Us!
352-373-4475
The History of Girls Place
Over 35 years of serving girls in Alachua County, Girls Place has evolved into a passageway from childhood to womanhood for many girls in the Gainesville community. The young women of today are learning to become tomorrow’s future by living and developing in a continuously changing world. Girls Place embraces this opportunity and challenge, and is confident that they can find their passion while we give them the means to pursue that passion.
March-April 1981
The Gainesville Junior Woman’s Club began investigating the need and interest for a girls club in the community with surveys and public meetings.
November 1982
A 20 member Operations Board of Directors was created and The Girls Club of Alachua County and applied for non-profit status.
April 1983
Girls Club of Alachua County received 501(c)3 status marking our official start as a nonprofit.
January 1985
Renae Clements was hired as our first Executive Director.
June 1985
The first Girls Club summer day camp was held at Sidney Lanier School, run by volunteers and was an incredible success.
November 1985
The City of Gainesville granted Girls Club 5.3 acres of land.
April 1986
Construction commenced on the Girls Club facility. Summer Day Camp continued being held at Westwood Middle School.
August 1987
The first after-school program at the Girls Club of Alachua County Clubhouse was inaugurated
January 1988
United Way announced the Girls Club as one of their affiliated agents
April 1991
A fifteen member rotating Board of Directors of the Girls Club of Alachua County Foundation was created and officers were elected
November 1991
Girls Club of Alachua County Foundation was issued non-profit status.
September 2008
The Girls Club underwent a name change and officially became known as Girls Place, Inc.
July 2013
ACHIEVE (Academic Counseling and Help Increasing Educational Victories Everyday) began! Focus on support girls academically throughout the year.
October 2013
Renae Clements retires as Executive Director after 28 years of service. Janna Magette, PhD. is hired as her successor.
October 2015
Our BrainPower program began. We are the first year-round holistic program to offer onsite mental health services; nearly eliminating cost and transportation as barriers.
June 2017
Girls Place officially became licensed by The Florida Department of Children and Family Services (DCF).
September 2017
Janna Magette relocated after 4 years of service as Executive Director. Christi Arrington, is hired as her successor.
June 2020
With the support of Anthem Church, donors through the Amazing Give, our GP Family and Friends, and the Women’s Giving Circle, we completed 3 new classrooms for our girls! Thank you to SVM Architects, Mitchell Gulledge Engineering, and Joseph Engineering for their in-kind contributions.
July 2021
Received the Award for Advancing Minority Mental Health from the American Psychiatric Association Foundation for our work in BrainPower