When the HabCenter Supported Employment Team first met Sharon in October 2025, she came with a clear and heartfelt goal: she wanted to return to food service work. Ideally, she hoped to be in a school, hospital, or nursing home—environments she knew well and where she had once thrived. She understood the routines, the expectations, and the purpose that came with serving others. More than anything, she wanted stability, a place where she could contribute meaningfully and feel grounded again.
Over the next two months, Sharon and her Employment Specialist worked side‑by‑side. Together they completed applications, practiced interview skills, and pursued openings ranging from dietary aide positions to crossing guard roles. Throughout the process, her determination never wavered—quiet, steady, and deeply sincere.
Reaching out to Lake Worth High School for a Cafeteria Aide position, a place where she had previously worked, felt like a promising next step. And it was. The school responded with exactly the kind of support and accommodation that make long‑term success possible: flexibility, understanding, and a genuine willingness to adapt.
They honored her hour limits, created a schedule that worked for her, and welcomed her back with warmth. Her Employment Specialist also trained her on a time‑tracking app so she could manage her hours independently and with confidence. Sharon approached it patiently, knowing each new skill strengthened her path forward.
Once she began working again, Sharon shared that she finally felt supported—truly supported.
Today, she is thriving in her role at Lake Worth High School. Her journey is a reminder that when people are given the right conditions, opportunities, and encouragement, they don’t just succeed—they flourish.
About the HabCenter:
HabCenter Boca Raton is a nonprofit organization that opened its doors in 1978 to equip adults with special needs with the knowledge, skills, and behavior needed to lead useful and productive lives with dignity, respect, and independence. HabCenter provides a safe, enriching environment to empower the spirit of those individuals it serves and encourage their unlimited potential. Essential programs the HabCenter offers are Social Services, and mental-wellness counseling, Developmental Training, Programs in Education, Art and Recreation (P.E.A.R.), and Vocational Training within HabCo Manufacturing and the HabCenter Plant Nursery that provide horticultural training. HabCenter also offers local businesses and universities partnership opportunities through HabCo Manufacturing, the Nursery and counseling, special education and occupational therapy internship programs. HabCenter also has a Supported Employment program, which provides competitive integrated employment (CIE) opportunities for clients who can work in the community by preparing them with the knowledge, skills and behaviors they need to be successful. To learn more, visit habcenter.org.