South Florida Manufacturers Association (SFMA) is proud to have a variety of members, both inside and outside of the manufacturing industries. One of SFMA’s most active members is HabCenter, an organization whose mission is to empower individuals with developmental differences and mental health challenges through counseling, vocational skill-building, work opportunities, and educational and recreational programs. Read on to learn more about HabCenter’s mission and its tangible outcomes.
A Mission Supported By Enterprise
Manufacturing is one of the two core enterprises helping fund the organization, alongside its nursery. HabCo Manufacturing is the contract manufacturing enterprise, an ISO9001:2015 and AS9100:2016 certified facility that ensures the highest quality standards. HabCenter also has a supported employment program to help its clients find careers.
Over the years, HabCenter has evolved from a supportive setting for individuals aging out of school to programs emphasizing community integration, employment skills, and independence. One recent example of this evolution is the nursery’s expansion into retail. Sherry A. Henry, CEO of HabCenter, first experienced the organization through Bloomfest, an inside look into the organization’s plant nursery. She then joined HabCenter in a development role and became the CEO a year later, a position she has now held for three years. The organization’s emphasis on servant leadership and amplifying voices drew her in and keeps her motivated to continue growing the organization. This mentality can be seen at every level at HabCenter, from the executives all the way to the interns.
“I can’t praise my team enough because they really care and value the individuals,” Henry said. “They help them feel valued because they are, respected because they are, important because they are.”
What HabCo Offers Manufacturers
HabCo is fully certified to handle a variety of tasks on a contract basis, including circuit board assembly, packaging, labeling, kitting, and turnkey operations. Finding reliable employees for roles like this is challenging, and HabCenter helps fill those gaps. The best type of projects for HabCo are labor-intensive work or products built from a schematic or drawing. HabCenter is proud to work with a diverse range of companies, including small, medium, and large manufacturers.
The process involves trained personnel, professional engineering support, a quality management system, and 100% inspection. Each project creates an opportunity for people with developmental differences to thrive socially and become part of something bigger while learning essential professional skills.
Dignity and Independence On The Manufacturing Floor
Work at HabCo is matched to individual skills and interests, from assembly to packaging and labeling. Some tasks, such as filter cutting, which can be done with one or both arms, can support employment by people with different physical abilities while maintaining quality requirements. Staff check in when someone shows signs of distress, making counseling available and adjusting floor coverage as needed.
The program includes STEAM and recreation options for days when the task-based work is too much. It also teaches self-advocacy skills, such as resolving conflict and discussing raises. No two days are the same at HabCenter, and with a team of 100 contractors, the organization has the resources to allow for social support. All of this is possible because of the people on the HabCenter team who work tirelessly toward the organization’s mission.
“The HabCenter team is the key to the success of the organization,” Henry said. “The team that I get to work with and who I get to serve are so committed to the mission, doing good work, representing the center in the best way, making an impact in the stories we see every day.”
Building Workforce Partnerships Through Supported Employment
If your company needs employees, not just contractors, HabCenter also has a supported employment program that allows people with developmental differences to explore full-time opportunities with a company. The staff who work in this program always start with an assessment of individuals’ skills and interests, rather than making limiting assumptions. In many cases, people in HabCenter’s programs become supportive, loyal employees.
Connections That Support Growth
SFMA and HabCenter have a close relationship, as Henry and other team members serve on multiple committees, including the Women in Manufacturing committee. Henry has found SFMA to be an invaluable resource in connecting with manufacturers, renewing certifications, regulatory training, fireside chats and other events. She appreciates the organization’s leadership and the camaraderie leaders share with members at every level. In 2019, HabCenter received SFMA Manufacturer of the Year recognition, which Henry is always proud to share with her network.
What’s Next for HabCenter
The next moves for HabCenter will be implementing a new CRM, new leadership focused on growth, and a more diversified client base. Additional business could create more employment opportunities and working hours, supporting greater independence and self-sufficiency for people with developmental differences.
“Every project that we get isn’t just a new manufacturing project,” Henry said. “It’s a new opportunity to carry out our mission.”
Henry invites SFMA members to see HabCenter’s work firsthand. You can schedule a facility tour, visit the nursery, and meet the people behind its manufacturing operations. Contact contact@habcenter.org or call 561-886-3030 to start the conversation.
