Lauren Poe Moves Sister Cities to Ignite Life Center
Former Gainesville Mayor, Sister Cities President and Greater Gainesville International Center (GGIC) Director Lauren Poe has moved the Sister Cities of Gainesville program to Ignite Life Center.
Three people from the church have been arrested for committing sex crimes against underaged children: (1) convicted child molester Gabriel Hemenez; (2) head pastor Mark Vega’s son, alleged rapist Christian Vargas; and (3) former associate pastor Jose Cruz’s son, alleged statutory rapist Noel Cruz.
In June 2024, Vega announced that he was working with a “former mayor” through ”Greater Gainesville” on an immigration program for families.
Lauren Poe was asked to interview about ILC in September and he declined.
On October 22, 2024, Sister Cities moved their principal and mailing addresses to ILC.
ILC has worked with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) through an immigration program they formerly ran with Urban Strategies.
Sister Cities is a Gainesville City program that has established relationships with nine cities around the world.
Alachua County lawyer Steven Kalishman leads Sister Cities with Poe, sitting as the registered agent and chairman.
The most recent registration report for Sister Cities shows Poe and Kalishman moved the program to ILC from 1314 S. Main St., the address of the Gainesville Fine Arts Association (GFAA).
From 1998- 2000, Sister Cities was registered to 5201 SW 91st Dr.
From 2001-2002, Sister Cities was not registered.
In 2003, Sister Cities was reinstated at 5201 SW 91st Dr. and remained there until 2006.
In 2006, the Sister Cities address was changed to 4809 SW 91st Ter.
In 2007, the address was changed to 5055 SW 91st Ter., Kalishman's law office.
Sister Cities remained at Kalishman's law office until 2024 when it was changed to 1314 S. Main St., and now ILC as of October.
ILC has been subject to an extensive investigation by GnvInfo.
