Path to Purpose

Path to Purpose is a year-long leadership and social change fellowship grounded in a community organizing model. Students have the opportunity to undergo workshops highlighting relationship building, personal development/branding, leadership, communication, community organizing, etc. You will get exposed to numerous community organizations and leaders in Gainesville and Alachua County and develop relationships between you and the community to support long-term goals of positive community growth.  

The fellowship aims to establish a tradition of community collaboration and social change, inspiring students to meet specific community needs, be innovative in approaching our shared future, and promote growth and personal development. Students learn about critical community engagement and organizing, collaborate with fellow cohort members and BCLS staff, and develop individual and intersectional cohort projects. Working together, we create tangible impacts through ongoing projects. Please check out some of our Community Fellows’ previous work on our website!

This work is self-directed and self-motivated, with individualized support and structure provided by the BCLS team. There is potential to work with groups across campus and in the community. Please note, that this is not a competitive fellowship; it is a collaborative fellowship. The purpose is to develop your leadership through social change and community involvement.

Time commitment varies each week, but we expect fellows to spend a minimum of 4–6 hours per week on Path to Purpose items, regardless of specific projects. The variance is due to the self-directed work completed outside of the fellowship space. 

The mandatory weekly hour and a half meeting/training will occur throughout the semesters from 4:30-6 pm on Tuesdays. Outside of this space, you can expect to work within teams with other fellows; attend community events; work with a community partner; and contribute to initiatives that could address food insecurity, health, housing, education, capacity building, and more.  

You will gain opportunities to find and step into your path to create meaningful, long-term change that contributes to living a purposeful life. This Path is your Purpose. 

Are You?

• Dedicated to social action and change. 
• Ready to play an active role in a collective community organizing process and contribute to long-term goals.  
• Ready to break down silos and work at the intersections of different disciplines and various social issues, creating a vision to work towards common goals. 
• Ready to build community with your peers in Gainesville, and across UF.  
• Ready to grow as a leader and a neighbor.  

You will gain

• Connection to community partners and members, and faculty.  
• Experience working with communities and on projects related to your passions.  
• Experience in crafting a program and having agency in its direction.  
• A culminating product, such as an e-portfolio and a showcase.  
• Soft skills (communication, relationship building, listening) and professional development to develop yourself.