The Community Advocates Program
Application:
An application must be completed and submitted online by Friday, September 19th. The class is limited to 25 participants. Applications will be reviewed and the 25 Community Advocates will be selected and contacted by September 24th. Contact Nora Kilroy at noralk@dso.ufl.edu or by phone 352-392-1261 extension 214 with any further questions.
Objectives:
The Community Advocates program is an opportunity for University of Florida and Santa Fe College students to learn more about crime prevention, safety, the Gainesville Community and how they can give back to their community through outreach and service. Community Advocates will attend a two hour class, once a week from 6:30pm-8:30pm for seven weeks. Each class will take place in a different location throughout the city of Gainesville.
Goals:
Classes provide information and resources on topics including crime prevention, safety, emergency preparation, city codes, alcohol and the community, tenants’ rights and responsibilities, community service and much more. Participants will also get a tour of a local fire station and city hall. The Community Advocates will take their knowledge and share it with their community, whether it is the apartment complex, condominium complex, or residential neighborhood they live in. Community Advocates will help to start a neighborhood watch or organize a crime prevention program for their apartment complex or neighborhood. They will also participate in a community service project with their fellow Community Advocates. These activities will allow Community Advocates to get to know their community, give back to their community through service, and share the knowledge they receive in the Community Advocates class with their neighbors.
Class Dates and Topics:
| October 1st | Safety and Crime Prevention |
| October 8th | Tour of Fire Station & Emergency Preparedness |
| October 15th | Community Service |
| October 22nd | Victim Advocates & Sexual Predator Awareness |
| October 29th | Alcohol and the Community |
| November 5th | Law Enforcement & Civic Engagement |
| November 12th | City Codes, Programming, & Wrap up |
Other dates:
| End of the Fall Semester | Safety/Crime Prevention & Community Service Completed |
| December 3rd | Community Advocates Reception, location TBA |
Scholarship:
Participants that complete all required aspects of the program will receive a scholarship.
Instructors:
Corporal Jaime Kurnick, Gainesville Police Department
Nora L. Kilroy Director of Off-Campus Life, University of Florida
Sergeant Konopka, University of Florida Police Department
E.J. Walicki, Graduate Assistant, Off-Campus Life, University of Florida
Kenny Holmes, Student Development Specialist, Center for Student Leadership & Activities, Santa Fe College
The Community Advocates program is co-sponsored by the Gainesville Police Department, Off Campus Life, UF, the University of Florida Police Department, and Santa Fe College.