Gainesville’s Dream on Purpose finally found a space to call home, three years after stating their vision for a physical location and just under the state deadline to use a $200,000 grant. 

The nonprofit focuses on educational programming for young women and aims to place higher education, jobs and life skills within grasp. In 2025, Dream on Purpose served 285 youth and expanded with research partnerships through UF. 

Sisters Shareen Baptiste and JoAnne Karagnara launched the nonprofit 11 years ago and now serve as president and vice president while keeping full-time jobs.  

Baptiste told Mainstreet last year that renting and sharing spaces brought exposure and more awareness when the nonprofit was still young. But the lack of a permanent home has also had challenges and impacted growth. 

But a permanent location also means a step up in intensity for the nonprofit. 

“Our board members and our team, they understand the magnitude of the level that Dream on Purpose is now entering,” Baptiste said. “This is a new space for us, not just physically or literally, but also figuratively.” 

Located at Newberry Square, Dream on Purpose will have Pinspiration on the right and Cato Fashions on the left. Publix is also a few doors down and Baptiste said that’ll be a big help when buying supplies for events.  

The rent will cover two side-by-side spaces that the nonprofit will combine during renovations. It used to be a CrossFit gym before closing and sitting vacant for several years.  

Baptiste said it’s a perfect fit. The nonprofit’s board held its annual meeting at Pinspiration, and Baptiste said she surprised the group by walking them to see the potential space. The whole group was standing in what was a dream a few years earlier, she said. 

“Literally, this space checked off everything that was on my checklist in terms of what I wanted in a center, and I’m just excited for what it’s going to look like in the future,” Baptiste said. 

The site had been on the market during the entire time that Dream on Purpose was searching. The nonprofit nearly entered a contract last year, but the two sides failed to reach a final agreement.  

While she thought she’d looked at every potential site, Baptiste said the former gym space was waiting. 

“It just lets me know that timing is everything, and the timing in which everything is occurring is, essentially, what was meant to be,” Baptiste said.  

Former state Sen. Keith Perry helped the nonprofit secure a $200,000 grant for rent, and Baptiste said Dream on Purpose has the space paid for through May 2029. But renovations to make the site usable could reach another $200,000. The nonprofit will lean on fundraising in the coming months to cover the cost without needing a loan. 

Baptiste said an architect and construction manager have already walked through the site and are working on plans. The vision is for the larger space to remain open and flexible as a meeting and event area. The smaller unit will be changed into office space.  

If possible, Baptiste said they want to finish renovations before the 11th anniversary of Dream on Purpose in mid-May. But it’s a tight timeline.  

“We’re hoping that we don’t run into any delays with permitting, and that everything works in our favor, so that way we can open up some time in May,” Baptiste said.  

The nonprofit’s annual gala, “Dine with DOP,” will happen on Friday and celebrate the new space—its first permanent home. The gala will feature Miss Florida Teen Shar Nelson as the keynote speaker. 

Dream on Purpose is also looking for synergies with other nonprofits to use the property. Baptiste said they want the new spot to be useful for groups who, like them, have needed space for programming.  

The coming months will be a lot of work as the nonprofit grows and enters its second decade. Baptiste said Dream on Purpose held two Jacksonville events in 2025, along with one in Ocala, as they earn grants, continue local programming and now get to start renovations.