History
Over more than 25 years of serving girls in Alachua County, the Girls Place has evolved into a passageway from childhood to womanhood for many girls in the Gainesville community. The young women of today are learning to become tomorrow’s future by living and developing in a continuously changing world. Girls Place embraces this opportunity and challenge, and is confident that girls will prosper.
| March – April 1981 | The Gainesville Junior Woman’s Club began investigating the need and interest for a girls club in the community with surveys and public meetings. |
| November 1982 | A 20 member Operations Board of Directors was created. The Girls Club of Alachua County was issued non-profit status. |
| January 1985 | Renae Clements (the current executive director) was hired. |
| June 1985 | The first Girls Club summer day camp was held at Sidney Lanier School, run by volunteers and was an incredible success. |
| November 1985 | The City of Gainesville granted Girls Club 5.3 acres of land. |
| April 1986 | Construction commenced on the Girls Club clubhouse. Summer Day Camp continued being held at Westwood Middle School. |
| August 1987 | The first after-school program at the Girls Club of Alachua County Clubhouse was inaugurated |
| January 1988 | United Way announced the Girls Club as one of their affiliated agents |
| April 1991 | A fifteen member rotating Board of Directors of the Girls Club of Alachua County Foundation was created and officers were elected |
| November 1991 | Girls Club of Alachua County Foundation was issued non-profit status. |
| September 2008 | The Girls Club underwent a name change and officially became known as Girls Place, Inc. |
