In August of 2025, Rachel co-launched a mutual aid network, Alachua Community Collective (ACC). Through ACC, Rachel and other volunteers worked to make it easier for residents to access the resources they need.

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In October of 2025, Rachel realized that she had an abundance of clothes, toys, and books that her children had grown out of.  She knew that there were likely many other families who found themselves in a similar situation. She also knew that many in the community were facing hard times, and with the holidays quickly approaching, she thought about how she could help make life a little bit easier for families in need.  

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In partnership with ACC, and through the generosity of Hilda Hair Salon as a venue,  Rachel decided to host the Family Joy Market, a free community shopping experience for parents, caregivers, and other loved ones.  Different from other holiday gifting events, 85% of the items available at the Family Joy Market were second-hand, donated by local community members who wanted to make space in their homes while creating more of an impact than just dropping a box off at a nearby thrift store.

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Individuals and families came from all over to pick out gifts for the children in their lives.  Those who previously donated also came to find new items.  By encouraging the opportunity for a circular economy, The Family Joy Market was able to reduce the financial burden families often face during the holidays while diverting usable items from entering the landfill by giving them new life.

 

The positive response to, and success of, the Family Joy Market led Rachel to create the Alliance for Community Resilience and Environmental Stewardship (ACRES).  ACRES seeks to build on the momentum that the Family Joy Market brought by hosting additional circular markets throughout the year and provide new and impactful ways for community members to live a more connected, resilient, and sustainable life.