Community Power Building

Building Community Through Civic Engagement and Renewed Hope


The Vision

Community Spring is launching a new, neighborhood-centered initiative in Gainesville. Our goal is to disrupt the cycle of poverty and mass incarceration by helping people reclaim their political voice.

We are focused on mobilizing neighbors who have historically been left out of the conversation—including those impacted by felony disenfranchisement—and empowering them to become active leaders in their own communities.

Why This Work Matters

  • In Florida, nearly one million citizens are unable to vote due to past convictions. Furthermore, voter turnout in lower-income households is significantly lower than in wealthier ones. We believe everyone’s needs deserve to be heard at the ballot box.

  • Many people feel the system doesn’t work for them. We connect personal experiences of injustice to a larger plan for systemic change, proving that when we organize, progress is possible.

  • Real change doesn't happen overnight or through a single election. It happens through consistent, honest conversations between neighbors.

Our Approach

Monthly Neighborhood Workshops

Every third Wednesday, we host workshops in local neighborhoods to provide residents with the tools they need to:

  • Make informed decisions during elections.

  • Advocate for policies that directly benefit their families and communities.

  • Hold elected leaders accountable to the community's needs.

  • Collaborate with neighbors to build a more equitable future.

Cultivating Local Leadership

Our program also identifies and trains local leaders to facilitate their own workshops, ensuring that the power to organize remains within the neighborhood.