Pine Castle

Pine Castle's Story As one of the first organizations in Florida to serve children with special needs, Pine Castle helped pioneer the philosophy that individuals with intellectual/developmental (I/D) differences have the right to live full and productive lives. Pine Castle was founded in 1952 by a group of 33 families of children with I/D differences. No local programs or schools existed at that time to provide support services, except for a few distant residential institutions run by the state. Parents were forced to choose between institutionalization or keeping their children at home. In 1965, the public school system initiated a program for students with special needs. At that time, Pine Castle transitioned to a work and life skills training and activity center for adults with differences.

Empowering Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Differences Pine Castle is a leader in serving adults with intellectual and other differences and providing support to their families across Northeast Florida. We are committed to assisting anyone with a difference, regardless of its severity. Whether it’s teaching a new social or self-care skill, providing group activities, offering vocational training, providing comfortable group homes, or helping with a job search – everything we do supports a single goal: empower people to achieve their highest potential.