The Department of Sociology and Criminology & Law is proud to highlight Michael Beck, one of our sociology graduate students, for making a meaningful impact in the community. Alongside his wife, Jill Beck, he oversees Open Arms Village, a transitional recovery program in Ocala that has long provided support for men overcoming addiction. Now, the program is expanding to a second location to serve women for the first time.
The new facility will house 16 women, offering resources and guidance to support their recovery journey. After months of discussion, the Ocala City Council approved the necessary zoning changes, paving the way for this much-needed expansion. The initiative has received widespread attention and praise for addressing a critical gap in local recovery services.
Read more about this important project in recent media coverage: