Marion County’s Community Support Directory

PACE Center for Girls

Pace Center for Girls Marion, located in Ocala, Florida, is part of a network of 21 centers that have served more than 40,000 since 1985. Our academic classes are aligned with the local public school district, ensuring girls stay on track academically. Girls have the opportunity to catch up on credits if needed. Our Pace Day and Pace Reach programs are offered at no cost to families, and we offer year-round enrollment.

Kut Different

Kut Different Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by brothers Jamie Gilmore Jr and Eddie Rocker, proud Ocala, FL natives driven by a shared passion for empowering their community.

​The organization was born out of a desire to give back and serve. While volunteering in the Marion County Public School system, Jamie and Eddie recognized a critical gap: young African American males lacked relatable role models who truly understood their experiences and challenges. They saw a need for G.A.M.E—Guidance, Attention, Motivation, and Education—to inspire and uplift these young men.

Through their interactions in schools, it became clear what needed to be done. Countless conversations about the essence of impact and accountability led to a vision: to build a system that not only educates young men but also exposes them to opportunities and holds them accountable for their actions.

At the heart of Kut Different’s mission is the belief in empowering young minds to stand on their mentors’ shoulders, gaining the access and tools they need to define and achieve their own version of success. By providing structure, encouragement, and unwavering support, Kut Different ensures that every young man they serve has a path to thrive.

Fun 4 Ocala Kids

Fun 4 Ocala Kids is your local resource for family friendly events and activities in Ocala and surrounding areas. Listings include kids events, children programs and classes, youth sports, kids eat free directory, birthday party resources, rainy day activities, free fun for kids, summer camps, and MORE fun things for kids and families to do in and around Ocala.

Marion County 4-H

4-H is the nation’s largest youth development organization. There are 6.5 million young people enrolled in the 4-H program across America and approximately 230,000 within the State of Florida. This non-formal, practical educational program for youth is the youth development program of Florida Cooperative Extension – part of the University of Florida IFAS.

4-H is open to all youth, ages 5-18, determined as of September 1 of the current 4-H program year and open to all counties in the State of Florida. 4-H serves youth from all backgrounds and interests. It reaches youth through 4-H clubs, special-interest groups, short-term projects, school aged child care, camping, and school enrichment.

Marion County Literacy Council

The Marion County Literacy Council is a non-profit organization focused on making sure all adult citizens in Marion County have access to the resources available to help them improve their lives by improving their literacy skills.

Florida HIPPY

Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY). HIPPY is an evidence-based, home visiting program that partners with parents of children ages two through five to help prepare parents and children for school success.

Each week, HIPPY delivers curriculum, books, and materials to families and, through peer-to-peer mentoring, provides parents and guardians with the confidence, tools, and strategies for engaging their child in the HIPPY activities for that week. Parents who enroll in HIPPY all four years will engage in 105 hours of home visits and can choose to attend more than 240 parent group meetings. The children of those parents will engage in at least 120 weeks (600 days) of high-quality, language-building, self-regulating developing, and fun-filled school preparation!

HIPPY does not replace preschool but is meant to work in collaboration with children’s early childhood educational experiences, bridging the school and home. The HIPPY curriculum is meant to provide important opportunities for parent and child to interact around educationally enriching activities. These 15 – 30 minutes spent together on 5 days-per-week across 30 weeks each year develop the adult caregiver’s confidence to act as their child’s first advocate while also building the child’s love for learning, language, and social emotional skills required for school success.

Florida Diagnositc and Learning Resource System (FDLRS)

The Florida Diagnostic & Learning Resources System (FDLRS) provides diagnostic, instructional, and technology support services to district exceptional education programs and families of students with disabilities. Service centers include 18 centers that directly serve school districts in the areas of Child Find, Family Services, Human Resources Development (HRD), and Technology. In addition, the FDLRS Network also includes 6 Multi-disciplinary Centers who focus on in-depth evaluations and several statewide projects offering specialized services.

Boys and Girls Club of Marion County

The Boys and Girls Club of Marion County is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing young people with a safe and positive environment where they can learn, grow, and develop into responsible and caring adults. The organization serves children and youth from ages 6 to 18 in Marion County, Florida.​

The Boys and Girls Club of Marion County offers a variety of programs and services to help young people develop the skills, values, and confidence they need to succeed in life. These programs include academic support, character and leadership development, health and wellness, arts, and sports and fitness. The organization also provides a safe and supportive after-school environment where young people can socialize, have fun, and learn from positive adult role models.

The Boys and Girls Club of Marion County is funded by donations from individuals, businesses, and community organizations. The organization relies heavily on the support of volunteers who serve as mentors, tutors, and coaches for the young people in their programs