Gainesville issues proclamations for Delta Sigma Theta's 40th, World AIDS Day and Youth Homelessness Awareness Month
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Summary
At its Nov. 20 meeting the commission read proclamations honoring Delta Sigma Theta Sorority's Gainesville chapter, declared Dec. 1 World AIDS Day and designated November as Youth Homelessness Outreach, Prevention and Education Month; local nonprofit leaders accepted and thanked the commission.
Gainesville —Nov. 20, 2025 —The Gainesville City Commission used a portion of its Nov. 20 meeting to issue three proclamations recognizing local organizations and national observances.
Mayor Harvey L. Ward Jr. read a proclamation honoring the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated Gainesville Alumni Chapter on its 40th charter anniversary. Gwendolyn Saffo, identified as the chapter's president, accepted the proclamation and thanked the commission: "On behalf of our chapter, I am deeply honored to accept this proclamation recognizing 40 years of dedicated service to the Gainesville community," she said.
The mayor also proclaimed Dec. 1, 2025 as World AIDS Day in Gainesville, citing local groups including Rural Women's Health Projects, the Gainesville Area AIDS Project and Peers Empowering Peers for their work on prevention, testing and stigma reduction. Marvine Edwards, president of Peers Empowering Peers, described the group's community education and support work and thanked the commission: "We are part of the community... we make sure that we educate our people, our friends, our families," she said.
Finally, Mayor Ward proclaimed November 2025 as Youth Homelessness Outreach, Prevention and Education Month, referencing the National Runaway Safeline and CDS Family and Behavioral Health Services and urging public awareness of the causes and needs of youth experiencing homelessness.
The proclamations were ceremonial recognitions; no formal action or funding was attached to the proclamations during the meeting.