The gold-painted shovels were unveiled and handed to representatives of Florida Care Properties Inc. Wednesday morning in honor of the ground-breaking ceremony that will bring a vocational program center to Brookhaven that will work with intellectually and developmentally disabled community members.

Construction will now officially begin on the center that will provide community outings and classrooms for those at the Lincoln Residential Center and other community members.

At the center, staff will educate the center’s clients on how to create recycled art, restore and refurbish wood products and use unconventional items to create products for sale.

Donated clothing will be washed and ironed to be sold in a resale shop run by Florida Care Properties clients. The clients will benefit from the learning experience and also receive pay for the profits made, according to a press release by Florida Care.

In addition, community outings will be conducted to pick up donations and encourage clients to become active members of the town, the release stated.

The non-profit center located on Lance Alford Drive will span 11,000 square feet, according to Florida Care Properties Inc. Regional Director Suzanne Shannon.

“We are excited to bring Florida Care to Brookhaven. Today’s ceremony is meant to let people know about what we plan to do,” said Shannon.

“This is an effort to make Brookhaven greener and to provide residents the opportunity to become active members of the city of Brookhaven,” she added.