- Center of Family Love operates real businesses where individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities gain job skills and find meaningful employment that builds confidence and community belonging.
- Research shows that neurodivergent CEOs make up 24% of business leaders and companies with neurodiverse teams see 30% higher profits, yet many talented individuals with disabilities struggle to find jobs.
- The upcoming $40 million BravEra Life Center will dramatically expand vocational training across 14 program areas.
For many young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the transition from high school to the working world can feel impossible. While their peers move into careers, too many talented individuals with disabilities find themselves unemployed. At the Center of Family Love, that story is changing.
Breaking Down Barriers to Employment
Historically, society has often viewed individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities as needing only specialized or institutional care, rather than recognizing their potential as capable employees and contributors. The reality is this population holds many untapped talents and skill sets that add tremendous value to society. For over 40 years, the Center of Family Love has been proving this truth through innovative vocational programs that help people with disabilities discover their abilities, develop job skills, and find meaningful employment. The numbers tell a powerful story. Research shows that neurodivergent CEOs make up 24% of business leaders, and companies that embrace neurodiverse teams see 30% higher profits. There’s even evidence suggesting that hiring neurodiverse individuals could boost GDP by $26 billion. Yet despite this potential, countless individuals with disabilities struggle to find employers willing to give them a chance.
Why Employment Changes Everything
The importance of work for people with disabilities goes far beyond a paycheck. Employment provides identity, purpose, social connections, and the pride that comes from contributing to society. When someone asks, “What do you do?” being able to answer with a real job title matters deeply.
Research consistently shows that employment improves quality of life for people with disabilities. It builds self-confidence, expands social networks, teaches professional skills, and creates a sense of community belonging. At the heart of the Center of Family Love’s philosophy is the idea of “removing the DISS from disability,” shifting focus to highlight what individuals can do rather than what they can’t. This mindset transforms everything.
Center of Family Love Career Opportunities
Unlike traditional job training programs, the Center of Family Love operates actual businesses where residents work, learn, and thrive. These aren’t simulations or practice environments. They’re real workplaces serving real customers. Kristy Lyn’s Flowers & Gifts is a perfect example of one of our vocational services. This unique establishment provides employment to the residents of Center of Family Love who are differently-abled. They offer a space where employees find a sense of purpose, self-reliance, and an opportunity to demonstrate that their abilities are not defined by their disabilities. At Kristy Lyn’s, residents work in multiple capacities. Some create beautiful floral arrangements for weddings, funerals, and special occasions. Others work in the greenhouse, caring for seasonal plants and flowers.
A Model for the Future
Center of Family Love isn’t just changing individual lives. We’re changing how society views employment for people with disabilities. By demonstrating that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities can excel in real-world jobs, we’re challenging outdated assumptions and creating new possibilities. The upcoming BravEra Life Center will amplify this mission exponentially, serving hundreds more individuals each year and preparing them for careers that align with their unique gifts. It’s a vision of a more inclusive workforce where everyone has the opportunity to discover their potential and contribute their talents.
The Game-Changing BravEra Life Center
While the current vocational programs have successfully employed dozens of residents, the Center of Family Love is preparing to dramatically expand opportunities through the groundbreaking BravEra Life Center. Set to break ground in spring 2026 on 80 acres in Piedmont, this $40 million facility represents the future of vocational training for people with disabilities. The new Career Training and Development Center will serve youth starting at age 16 through adulthood, bridging the often-overlooked transition from high school to the workforce for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism, with 14 planned program areas and an integrated career placement model including business partnerships and job coaching.
Programs Include but are not limited to:
- floral design
- greenhouse management
- culinary services
What makes BravEra truly revolutionary is its scope. The career training and development center aims to accommodate a variety of skill sets, particularly for individuals with cognitive variances across different sectors, breaking the glass ceiling for this population to succeed in career fields previously unfathomable. Thanks to partnerships with academic, medical, and industry experts, BravEra will offer training programs that produce skilled professionals in numerous fields.
Getting Started With Center of Family Love Vocational Services
If you or someone you know could benefit from the Center of Family Love’s vocational programs, the organization offers comprehensive services tailored to individual needs and goals. From initial assessments to job placement and ongoing support, the team works to identify each person’s strengths and match them with appropriate employment opportunities. Current residents of the Center of Family Love automatically have access to these vocational programs, but the organization also works with individuals in the broader community. With the expansion through BravEra Life Center, even more opportunities will become available starting in 2026.
Address:
635 West Texas Ave, Okarche, OK 73762
PO Box 245
Phone
info@cflinc.org