Letter to the Editor

Arianna Boby, right, gets her face painted by Crystal Srsich, left, during the Ocala Housing Authority Community Outreach Day at Deer Run in Ocala on March 19, 2026. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]

The Ocala Housing Authority (OHA) successfully concluded its Spring Break Community Outreach Week with a culminating block party held on March 19, 2026, at the Deer Run public housing development. This highly impactful week consisted of a series of coordinated outreach events across multiple OHA communities, all designed to enhance resident engagement, promote community pride and demonstrate OHA’s commitment to resident well-being.

The week began on March 13 with “Movie Night Under the Stars” at Shady Hollow, where families gathered for an evening of fellowship, entertainment and connection in a relaxed outdoor setting. This event was sponsored by Revealing Truth Ministries, which has adopted our Shady Hollow families to provide year-round support and services. This event set the tone for a week centered on community, engagement and meaningful interaction.

Subsequent outreach activities continued across OHA developments. At Shady Hollow, staff and volunteers from the Forest High School JROTC completed playground enhancements, including cleanup, mulching and the installation of community reading boxes to promote literacy. At Pine Gardens, a development serving predominantly elderly and disabled residents, volunteers from the Indigo 4-H Club partnered to plant a vegetable garden and restore flower beds, enhancing both the environment and resident experience. At Pavilion Oaks, youth-centered programming included games and food distribution by Gifted from the Heart, LLC. Forest JROTC refurbished the playground area, giving it a makeover for the kids. These playground improvements are aimed at fostering engagement and connection among young residents.

The week culminated in a phenomenally successful block party at Deer Run, OHA’s largest development, with over 150 residents and community members in attendance. The event began at noon with welcome remarks from me and Board Chair Latoria Francis. I recognized and expressed appreciation to approximately 30 sponsors and community partners whose financial and in-kind contributions made the week’s events possible. OHA staff also demonstrated exceptional generosity by contributing over $400 in gift cards, which were distributed as raffle prizes and game prizes to residents.

A highlight of the event was an inspiring and heartfelt testimonial speech by Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano, who shared his personal journey, including his experience with homelessness, and offered a message of resilience and encouragement. He also engaged with residents through photos and conversations, further strengthening community connection.

Food and beverages were generously provided at no cost by Meadowbrook Church. The event featured a wide array of activities, resources and services for residents of all ages, including:

• Recreational games such as basketball, volleyball, cornhole and children’s obstacle activities, facilitated in part by the Early Learning Coalition
• Distribution of free books for children, including sign-ups for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library
• Book giveaways and autographs by author Daniel Osborne
• Resource information from organizations including CareerSource (employment and youth programs), Empath Hospice (memory care and adult day services), and FLIP FLOP (support services for families impacted by incarceration)
• Voter registration and community education provided by the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
• Six large gift baskets donated by the Dunnellon Women’s Club, along with additional prizes
• Interactive storytelling and engagement with Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses
• Face painting services by Mama Squach Makes Art
• Free ice cream served by the Ocala Police Department’s Polar Patrol 
• A fire safety demonstration by Ocala Fire Rescue, including emergency preparedness education and a hands-on tour of equipment

Throughout the week and especially during the Deer Run block party, residents actively engaged in activities, built relationships and participated in meaningful conversations centered on strengthening community connections and pride.

This week of outreach, and its successful culmination, was made possible through the dedication and collaboration of OHA staff, community partners, volunteers and sponsors. Special recognition is extended to:

• Rosa Ortiz, Public Housing Counselor III, for conceptualizing and leading this initiative, with a vision to expand it into an annual event supported by ongoing outreach activities. Rosa also recruited her husband to assist with Movie Night, her son is a member of the JROTC and her father installed the library boxes.
• Dawn Gurka, Family Self-Sufficiency Coordinator, for coordinating sponsors, vendors and logistics.
• Forest High School JROTC and the Indigo 4-H Club, for their volunteer efforts in community improvements and youth engagement.
• OHA Maintenance Staff, for ensuring all properties were prepared and event ready.
• Revealing Truth Ministries, for sponsoring Movie Night Under the Stars and providing transportation for residents on March 19.

Additional contributions were provided by numerous vendors and community partners, including the Early Learning Coalition, Meadowbrook Church, Gentle Carousel Mini Therapy Horses, CareerSource, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Empath Hospice, FLIP FLOP, Ocala Police Department and Ocala Fire Rescue.

The Spring Break Community Outreach Week and Deer Run block party exemplified OHA’s commitment to foster strong, connected communities. These efforts reflect a shared mission to ensure residents feel valued, supported and empowered, while strengthening partnerships that enhance the overall quality of life for those we serve.