Pine Castle

🎨✨ Creativity was on full display during a field trip to Doing Dishes!

Our participants enjoyed expressing themselves through ceramic painting while building skills that go far beyond the paintbrush.

Creative activities like ceramic painting help our participants strengthen fine motor skills, improve hand-eye coordination, reduce stress, and provide a meaningful outlet for self-expression. Just as importantly, sharing the experience with friends encourages conversation, builds relationships, and creates a strong sense of belonging.

Each brushstroke represented more than a beautiful piece of art, it reflected confidence, independence, and the joy of creating something uniquely their own. The smiles, laughter, and sense of accomplishment made this a day to remember!
A heartfelt thank you to Doing Dishes for welcoming our participants and providing such a fun, inclusive environment where creativity can flourish. Together, we're creating opportunities for individuals to learn, connect, and shine.

Community partnerships in action!!

We are with our friends at WJCT today for a Caregiver event. Stop by and visit us!

💙 Looking for more than a job? Find your purpose at Pine Castle.

Every day at Pine Castle is an opportunity to make a lasting impact in the lives of adults with intellectual and developmental differences. Whether you're helping participants build new skills, discover meaningful employment, connect with their community, or simply sharing a smile, your work truly matters.

We're looking for compassionate, dedicated, and enthusiastic individuals who believe in creating opportunities, celebrating abilities, and empowering others to reach their fullest potential.

✨ Why join the Pine Castle team?

Make a difference every single day.
Build meaningful relationships with incredible participants and coworkers.
Be part of an organization celebrating nearly 75 years of changing lives.
Help empower adults with intellectual and developmental differences to learn, work, and connect.
Grow your career while serving a mission that inspires.

If you're ready to turn your passion into purpose, we'd love to meet you!

Join our team and help create a future where every individual is valued, included, and empowered.

💙 Your next chapter starts here.

✨ What an unforgettable evening!

Thank you to our wonderful new partners, Cheri and her team, for hosting an amazing fundraiser in support of Pine Castle's Residential Program. The night was filled with music, dancing, laughter, delicious food, and the chance to build new friendships—all while making a lasting impact on the lives of adults with intellectual and developmental differences.

Your generosity and commitment to our mission remind us that when a community comes together, incredible things happen. Thank you for believing in Pine Castle! 💙

💪 "We Can Do It!" Those four words continue to inspire generations and at Pine Castle, they remind us that every individual has the ability to learn, lead, and achieve.

Our Rosie the Riveters Club was created to empower women with IDD’s by building confidence, independence, leadership, and vocational skills. Inspired by the legacy of the iconic Rosie the Riveter, participants challenge stereotypes, discover new strengths, and prove that determination and ability know no boundaries.

This program holds even greater significance as we are honored to celebrate Jeanne Gibson, one of the last living Rosie the Riveters. Her courage, resilience, and groundbreaking contributions during World War II continue to inspire our participants to overcome obstacles, embrace new opportunities, and believe in their own potential.

At Pine Castle, our Rosies are writing the next chapter—one of confidence, inclusion, and empowerment. Because every woman deserves the opportunity to say, "I can do it." ❤️

Lunch & Learn: Caring for Your Loved One

You are invited to join us for a FREE event hosted by WJCT on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.

Many caregivers struggle to manage various aspects of caring for their loved ones effectively. This Lunch & Learn, presented by Brooks Rehabilitation, will feature topics such as managing challenging behaviors, communicating with and engaging loved ones, and keeping loved ones safe at home and in public. Attendees will gain practical advice on when and how to ask for help.

Presenters: Genevieve Olaguivel, BSN, RN – Director of Nursing, Bartram Crossings, Theresa Isaacs, BSN, RN – Clinical Nurse Educator, Bartram Crossings
Chandler Rice, MS, OTR/L – Brooks Rehabilitation Home Health

11:00 a.m. – Doors open for lunch and exhibitors
11:30 a.m. – Presentation
12:45 p.m. – Q&A
1:00 p.m. – Exhibitors

Exhibitors: VyStar Credit Union, Brooks Rehabilitation, Elder Source, Pine Castle, Alivia Care, Inc., Riverside Post Acute, Underhill Staffing, and Cornerstone Caregiving

For more information, free tickets, and resources, visit wjct.org/caregiving.

Where: WJCT Studios
100 Festival Park Avenue
Jacksonville, Florida 32202

🦺 Safety is more than a responsibility, it's an opportunity to lead.

Pine Castle's Safety Patrol Team empowers participants to build real-world leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills while helping create a safe, welcoming environment for everyone on campus.

Participants learn to identify potential hazards, assist with transportation, lead the daily flag-raising ceremony, support club activities, and advocate for one another. These hands-on responsibilities teach accountability, teamwork, self-confidence, and self-advocacy. These are very valuable skills that extend far beyond our campus and prepare them for greater independence and future employment.

The Safety Patrol Team also strengthens Pine Castle by promoting a culture of safety, inclusion, and shared responsibility. Every participant has the opportunity to contribute, lead by example, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

At Pine Castle, we're not just teaching safety, we're developing leaders. 💙

📖💙 One of the most popular clubs on Pine Castle's campus is our Bible Club!

Twice each week, dedicated volunteers Scott and Sharon Petersen partner with our staff member, Betty Williams, to share Bible lessons with participants in a way that is engaging, meaningful, and accessible for everyone. For more than three years, the Petersens have faithfully invested their time and talents, creating interactive lessons that incorporate empowerment, repetition, music, Scripture reading, videos, art projects, and hands-on activities to bring each message to life.

We are also grateful for Pastor Terry Collins, whose support of our annual Easter and Jubilee celebrations has made these special events even more meaningful. Through inspiring messages, special music, participation from our chorus members, and heartfelt conversations, Pastor Terry helps create memorable experiences that encourage faith, hope, and community.

The dedication of volunteers like Scott, Sharon, and Pastor Terry reminds us that giving your time can make a lasting difference. Thank you for sharing your hearts, uplifting our participants, and helping create an environment where individuals can learn, grow, and connect.

💙 We are truly grateful for the compassion, commitment, and joy you bring to Pine Castle each week.