GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Challenge Enterprises of North Florida, a nonprofit organization, celebrates 50 years of helping people with different abilities also referred to as disabled become independent and successful in life.

“Our mission statement is to promote the power of people and possibilities for individuals living with disabilities,” said CEO Nancy Keating.

The organization provides programs and services such as group homes, coaches, prevocational training and recreation. In addition, they provide employment and career opportunities. They are also partnered with Clay County Schools ESE programs to provide early job training for junior and senior students.

Challenge Enterprises was started in October 1972 when a group of Clay County citizens saw a need for individuals with mental challenges. In the beginning, the agency started with bowling and ceramics but grew after engaging in work activities such as delivering JC Penney’s Catalogs, maintenance, janitorial, administrative services and food distribution.

“We started receiving phone calls from federal government agencies, state government agencies, and local businesses asking us to do work for them,” Keating said. In 1988, they received their first large contract with NAS JAX DEPOT known as the Fleet Readiness Center Southeast which led them to open their doors to other nonprofit agencies that provide services to individuals with disabilities.

Originally the agency started with 10 people, but now they have 308 employed of which 189 are individuals with different abilities. In addition, they have multiple federal, state and local contracts which cover Kings Bay, Georgia, Jacksonville and Gainesville.

As of recent, Challenge Enterprises expanded its food distribution program, Food for Clay, and is engaged in packaging recycled golf balls with a company called Ball Hawker.

“The 50-year journey for the people that we served is the true example of the power of people and possibilities,” Keating said. “Work, value, ownership, bank accounts and community inclusion, none of this would have happened without the support of our community. Thank you.”

The agency is planning to host a party in January for their employees, families and volunteers to honor the people who have contributed to the organization’s success.

To learn more about Challenge Enterprises and their programs, or to donate visit www.challengeenterprises.org.