OCALA, FL (352today.com) – A simple act of kindness and loving one another can transform lives.
On Jan. 21, 2025, the Ocala City Council approved a rezoning change that will allow Open Arms Village, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, to establish a 14-bed transitional recovery facility for women. The 4.63-acre property on Lake Weir Ave., currently owned by Compassion United Methodist Church, was rezoned from Institutional (INST) to B-2A.
The vote was 3-1 in favor, with Ocala City Council President Kristen Dreyer dissenting. While Dreyer praised Open Arms Village and acknowledged its positive reputation, she raised concerns about the permanent nature of the zoning change, noting the potential for future misuse of the property. “I can support Open Arms Village but not support the location for those people, the everyday man,” she said.
The new facility will mirror the Open Arms Village for Men, located at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church. It will provide the same services, including one-on-one counseling, group sessions, job placement, and financial planning to help residents transition to stable, independent lives.
The chosen site, owned by the Florida Methodist Conference since the 1950s, was emphasized as ideal for its proximity to employment opportunities, lack of transportation barriers, and access to spiritual support.
Concerns were raised during the meeting, particularly by St. John’s Lutheran Church’s School Administrator Jim Knoepfel, who worried about risks associated with program participants and suggested an alternative location.
Fifth Circuit Court Judges Steven Rogers and Lori Cotton, former Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn (a board member of Open Arms Village), and three program graduates spoke in favor of the project. The graduates shared how Open Arms Village transformed their lives, with Jason Jobe delivering an emotional testimony: “It’s amazing the transformation that can happen in somebody’s life when people are willing to reach out their hand, without any other motive than love.”
Open Arms Village has had 475 men go through the program, with a 76 % graduation rate, with the graduates leaving sober with a job and paying for their own housing. Open Arms Village is a high barrier shelter with only one in seven applicants being accepted. Open Arms Village performs Level 1 background screening and sex offender registry checks. They are also drug and alcohol tested, and random drug tests are performed when they’re going through the program.
Open Arms Village has helped 475 men through its program, boasting a 76% graduation rate. Graduates leave sober, employed, and financially stable. The organization enforces strict admission criteria, including Level 1 background checks, sex offender registry screenings, and regular drug testing.
“We are very pleased with the decision of the city council,” said Dennis Grundy, executive director of Open Arms Village. “While we understand the concerns of the neighbors, we will always be good neighbors and try to address anything that may come up in the future. It’s something that’s definitely needed in our community. It’s a perfect location, as city council stated. We’re excited to move forward to help these women in our community.”