Gainesville-based non-profit My Sister’s Place celebrated its 25-year anniversary with an event on the downtown square Thursday afternoon.
The faith-based women’s shelter held the “Hope on the Square” event at 12:30, with the organization also staying on the square from noon to 4:00 p.m., accepting coat donations and drawing for gift baskets. The event also featured opening remarks from Gainesville Mayor and 9th District U.S. Congressional candidate Sam Couvillon.
“As the mayor, you realize that not everything is a sunny day on the square,” Couvillon said. “There are people at night that don’t have a place where they can feel comfortable to lay their head, and My Sister’s Place delivers that for them. That’s what Gainesville does…It’s the people of Gainesville that step up each and every time we need them to step up.”
Couvillon also read a proclamation from the city of Gainesville declaring November 6, 2025, as Marty Owens Day in the city. Owens is the founder of the shelter.
Jennifer Bero, executive director of the organization, who has served in that role for four years, said as the shelter celebrates 25 years of operation, they hope to expand to be able to help more women in the future.
“Our goal is to build a bigger shelter where we can serve more ladies, and get them off the street and get them the help they need,” Bero said. “Our ultimate goal is to restore hope in their lives, to show them that there is a better tomorrow than what they’re experiencing today.”
More information about the shelter can be found on My Sister’s Place’s website.
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