City of Jacksonville

Mayor Donna Deegan and City Council Member Rahman Johnson are pleased to announce the renaming of the Mayor's Conference Room in honor of Mrs. Naomi T. Glover, who dedicated her life to serving the City of Jacksonville. Naomi Tillman Glover was the quiet power behind the throne during the infancy of the City of Jacksonville. As the former Director of First Impressions (Receptionist) for the Mayor’s Office, her gentle yet stern smile and knowledge were unparalleled in city government. Glover was the welcoming face and guiding hand for countless mayors, city officials, and visitors to City Hall for decades. Her exceptional service and deep-rooted connection to the Jacksonville community made her a beloved and respected figure in the history of Jacksonville. After more than two decades of service, she retired from the city in 2002. In 2003, she passed away. "Mrs. Naomi was an integral part of Jacksonville's heart and soul," said Mayor Donna Deegan. "Her unwavering dedication to our city and its people was truly remarkable. It is only fitting that we honor her legacy by renaming the Mayor's Conference Room for her, ensuring that her contributions are remembered for generations to come." Council Member Johnson added, "Mrs. Glover's kindness, professionalism, and commitment have left an indelible mark on me and the entire City of Jacksonville. This dedication is a small token of our immense gratitude for her many years of service. Her legacy continues to inspire us all." The renaming ceremony will feature remarks from Mayor Deegan, Council Member Johnson, and other notable city officials who have worked closely with Mrs. Glover over the years. Friends, family, and members of the public are invited to join in this special occasion to celebrate and honor the life and contributions of Mrs. Naomi T. Glover.

The 34th anniversary of the signing of the ADA is coming up and our Disabled Services Division has some inspiring and educational events planned to celebrate the occasion: 🟦 July 23rd: ADA & IT Symposium at the University of North Florida 🟦 July 25th: Disability & Adaptive Recreation Expo at the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center For more information on these and other events planned, please visit: https://lnkd.in/e76qt_yS

We appreciate everyone who came out to James Weldon Johnson Park yesterday for the monthly JSEB Marketplace. If you missed it, save Thursday, August 1st on your calendar and check out some great local, small businesses doing amazing things in our community. If you are the owner of a local small and emerging business, please visit https://lnkd.in/e-mQh3Ws to learn more about how our JSEB team help you grow.

The City of Jacksonville’s Military Affairs and Veterans Department (MAVD) has been awarded a three-year grant of $271,457 per year from the U.S. Department of Labor to support the Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP). The employment-focused program utilizes a case management approach to directly assist homeless veterans with access to a variety of local support services.   Seven months ago, Mayor Donna Deegan championed the HVRP program, saying “Jacksonville is a proud military town, and this program provides an array of services to directly assist our homeless vets, get them support and make sure they have a good job and appropriate housing. They get everything from job placement and training to resume preparation, along with referrals to temporary transitional and permanent housing. This program is really something to brag about!”    In the 2023 grant year (July 1,2023 to June 30, 2024) 92 veterans were enrolled in the program, with 76 placed into employment with an average hourly wage of $17.63. Over the same time frame, 88% of clients received vocational training, and the program achieved an 81% employment rate for chronically homeless.   Through HVRP, Veterans receive the employment and training services they need to re-enter the labor force, including job placement, training, career counseling and resume preparation services. In collaboration with local programs and through grant resources, support services such as interview clothing and work tools are made available to participants, as well as referrals to temporary, transitional and permanent housing, medical treatment and transportation assistance.    Veterans must be homeless, living in temporary shelter or be facing the impending loss of their housing through foreclosure or eviction to apply for the program. Documentation of foreclosure or eviction is required.   For more information about HVRP, citizens are encouraged to visit the office at City Hall, Suite 175, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Veterans may also contact the HVRP Staff at (904) 255-5550.

We are still buzzing over the opening of our newest JaxParks addition 🌳 Located at 176 N. Lee Street in historic LaVilla, Lift Ev'ry Voice And Sing Park was the location of the family home of James Weldon Johnson and his brother John Rosamond Johnson, composers of the famous song. Lift Evr’y Voice and Sing Park represents an opportunity to commemorate The Black National Anthem, celebrate the heritage and success of the once-segregated La Villa neighborhood in Jacksonville, and create a new park for the everyday and mundane, as well as community gatherings, events, and celebrations. The conceptual approach of the park begins by tracing the plots of the homes, businesses and yards that once existed here when La Villa was a thriving Black neighborhood. It is within this stretch of land that the Johnson Brothers’ home stood and where they grew up. These traces are interpreted as paved bands throughout the park, from which new gardens, lawns, and gathering spaces emerge.

If you're looking for some great summer reads, don't miss the Friends Of The Jacksonville Public Library Big Book Sale next week: 📙 3435 University Blvd N. 📘 July 18th - 20th Thursday, 7/18: Open for members only from 4-8pm. Membership is available at the door for $20 - Members pay $12 to fill a paper grocery bag and get one free. Friday, 7/19: Open from 4-8pm. $15 to fill a paper grocery bag - Buy 2 bags, get one free. Saturday, 7/20: Open from 10am to 3pm. $15 to fill a paper grocery bag - Buy 2 bags, get one free. For more information, please visit: https://www.fjpl.org/

Mark your calendars h Our Jacksonville Small & Emerging Business team are hosting their monthly JSEB Marketplace this Thursday, July 11th at James Weldon Johnson Park. From 11am to 2pm, shop with local participants and learn more about what JSEB can do for your small business. For more information, please visit: https://lnkd.in/e-mQh3Ws

The numbers are in 🗒️ We appreciate the hard work of all of the volunteers who woke up early and participated in the annual July 5th Beach Clean Up: ♻️ 115 volunteers ♻️ 50 bags of litter ♻️ 1,000+ lbs removed Great job everyone and a big thank you to Keep Jacksonville Beautiful, JEA, and the Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol for your continued support and efforts.

The next scheduled closure on the Northbank Riverwalk will begin this week in the McCoys Creek Work Zone from Jackson Street to the Acosta Bridge. Corkscrew Park will remain accessible when approaching it from Pearl Street until construction begins in the CSX Bulkhead Work Zone this fall. It is part of several exciting projects underway to deliver a continuous, activated, beautiful, and resilient Riverwallk. For information on these projects such as the McCoy's Creek Restoration, Riverfront Plaza and the Musical Heritage Garden going in behind the Performing Arts Center, please visit: https://lnkd.in/eZKpdiAM

🌤️ Good Morning 🌤️ Happy Monday everyone! We hope you all had an amazing holiday weekend filled with family, fun, and fireworks. Finding the motivation to get back to the grind on most Mondays is tough, but it’s going to be a great day - Let’s make it happen Jacksonville! "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." – Thomas Edison