The Gainesville Housing Authority (GHA) is seeking community leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, educators, retirees and advocates to serve as mentors in its Built From Within Leadership Program.
GHA will have a Mentor Meet & Greet at its BFW Conference from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22 at the Santa Fe College Blount Center (530 W. University Ave., Gainesville). Interested mentors can apply online at https://wkf.ms/4izl1Au.
The program empowers GHA public housing residents and Housing Choice Voucher Program participants to develop leadership skills, pursue personal and professional goals, and strengthen their communities, according to a GHA release.
Mentors will build meaningful relationships with program participants, provide encouragement and accountability, share professional and life experiences, connect mentees with resources and opportunities, and promote leadership, confidence and community involvement.
“Your experience could become someone else’s roadmap,” the program states in its mentor recruitment materials.
Mentor Commitment
The mentorship commitment period runs from October 2026 through September 2027. Mentors are expected to:
- Make at least one meaningful mentor-mentee connection each month or participate in mentorship office hours.
- Attend mentor orientation and periodic check-ins with program staff.
- Attend the Mentor Meet and Greet during the Built From Within Conference and Induction Ceremony on Oct. 22.
- Participate in selected Built From Within activities, events and celebrations when possible.
- Maintain confidentiality and respect program policies and the mentee code of conduct.
- Provide consistent encouragement, guidance, resources and accountability.
Mentors do not need to have all the answers. The program seeks individuals who are willing to listen, encourage others, share their experiences and invest in someone’s growth.
For more information, email BuiltFromWithin@gnvha.org or call 352-872-5500.
The Built From Within Leadership Program’s goal is to build leaders, transform communities and strengthen lives.