Current Gainesville Police Chief Tony R. Jones entered the Gainesville Police Department in the early 80’s and quickly began noticing a trend of arrests being made with juveniles. Chief Jones would continue to see the same individuals enter a revolving door. The juveniles would commit a crime, get arrested, serve punishment, get out, and began all over again. Richard Baxter, a counselor at the Corner Drug Store, was witnessing the same event. Chief Jones and Richard Baxter shared the same concerns; they wanted to provide the juveniles with a safe haven. As a result, the two individuals collaborated together and came up with an idea for an after school program. Not long after, Ms. Rosa B. Williams, Community Activist and Chairperson of Black on Black Crime Task Force joined the two to assist with the cause. The Gainesville Housing Authority joined efforts and offered one of its housing units as a temporary location.

The Reichert House Youth Academy opened its doors in 1987. The program operated once a week and serviced approximately 15 young men each day. Initially, the number one priority of the program was to keep juveniles out of the criminal justice system. As more and more young men began to hear about the program, the numbers of those attending the program gradually increased. In search for a more permanent residence, the co-founders ventured out for a structure. Mary Reichert donated her house to the State of Florida for the advancement of youth. The home was then given to HRS, which was then given to the City of Gainesville. Eventually the structure fell into the hands of the co-founders, and for that reason they adopted the name "Reichert House". The structure was 800 square feet with one restroom, a kitchen, and a dining area.

In 1995, the Reichert House was a structure that housed a prize program of the City of Gainesville’s Police Department and the Black on Black Crime Task Force. However, the building that housed this program was in dire need of rehabilitation. The original home of the Reichert family was built in the 1940’s.The staff and participants extended the house by adding a front and back porch, along with a basketball court for recreation. The permanent structure allowed the program to gain further momentum. The daily attendance quickly grew from an average of 15 to 45 students. As a result, the primary objective changed from crime prevention, to promoting education.In the midst of growing, the Reichert House would suffer a terrible loss, the death of Mr. Richard Baxter. Knowing that the works of Mr. Baxter were not in vain, Mr. Jones and Ms. Williams would press on to continue the cause.

After continuing for some years, the Reichert House inherited partners such as Black on Black Crime Task Force, Corner Drug Store, Bread of the Mighty Food Bank, School Board of Alachua County, Alachua County Sheriffs Office, States Attorney Office, and many more. The Reichert House grew so rapidly, the program had to utilize the original location from Gainesville Housing Authority, Horizon New Pathways facilities, and the permanent structure all at the same time. There was a demand for a larger facility. Overall, the structure needed repair and an addition to accommodate the growing youth population that wished to be members of the Reichert House program.

Once again, the co-founders, volunteers, staff, and partners, would campaign through fundraising, grants, and donations to acquire a new facility. Department of Corrections assisted with skilled labor, contributing to a major cost reduction. Before the construction of the new facility was complete, the demand for participants was high, but limited space was a factor. Since the School Board of Alachua County was a major Reichert House partner, Superintendent Dr. William Daniel Boyd, donated a $71,000 modular unit as the high school wing.The Builders’ Association of North Central Florida (BANCF) also stepped in and assisted in upgrading the building with new floors, additional air-conditioning, a basketball court, electrical enhancements, plumbing repairs, and a host of other things. This effort enabled countless youth to take advantage of the Reichert House program.

The Reichert House population continued to grow and eventually exceeded the space available within that building. In 2005, a decade later, the Builders’ Association of North Central Florida stepped in once again and played a critical role in the creation of a new facility. BANCF assisted with raising funds for construction and provided materials needed for the creation of the new Reichert House facility--to the tune of about $367,000 in cash, goods and services. If it were not for the support and efforts of the Builders’ Association of North Central Florida, the new Reichert House and the many programs offered at this facility would not be possible. Finally on December 14, 2005, the Reichert House cut the ribbon on a 7,200 sq. ft. building, in front of a crowd of approximately 200.

Since the opening of the new building, the Reichert House is now able to provide many resources to our students such as: computer based learning, physical fitness training, culinary classes, and many other skills. The Reichert House continues to grow and serve the youth throughout the county. In servicing those youth, the Reichert House as been able to assist 81% percent of the youth enrolled in abstaining from being incarcerated.Due to structural damages, the original Reichert House has been torn down, and a new structure was erected in July, 2007. The new structure serves as a high school wing, and encompasses counseling, entrepreneurship, vocational training, post graduate placement, and life skills.

Although remaining crime free is one aspect of the program, empowering young minds to pursue and conquer dreams of being a productive part of society reigns at the top of the list.