PALM COAST, Fla. – Watching as she beamed throughout the night, Hector Flores stood by proudly as Erica Flores directed the event while soaking in the success. As the founder and executive director of Vincent’s Clubhouse, Erica is a mom on a mission. And Flagler County’s community is buying in.

Holding the official ribbon cutting for the enrichment center that is providing a safe space and loving care for individuals with different abilities, Erica and Hector have taken an idea that started with their son Vincent and a summer camp, and turned it into a community hub.

Hector and Erica Flores

A once in a generation winter storm couldn’t keep supporters away, and their cozy location in the European Village was warm and welcoming in spite of the arctic blast.

“From six years ago and a summer camp to all these other events we can provide, especially a place where we can do them, my wife’s dreams came true,” Hector said with pride.

Support on Every Level

Leaving her job as a healthcare administrator to open the enrichment center, the Flores family took a leap of faith. Building blocks of support along the way made the brick and mortar location possible.

Working with Erica as a member of the board of directors, realtor Eddie Lang believed in the vision from the start, and as the team’s chief fundraiser, committed his personal business’s support, while rallying the Flagler County Realtor’s Association.

Eddie Lang (center) helped drive donations from the real estate industry.

“Vincent’s Clubhouse was Erica’s dream. When me and my wife met Erica, our son is autistic so we need to find things he can do, she had an Easter egg hunt. It turned out great, Max enjoyed himself immensely, and I just started getting involved. Being a realtor with the connections that I have I just started raising money,” he said, helping raise more than $30,000 for the organization.

“We’ve got some really great realtors in this community. They really support Vincent’s Clubhouse and we’re making amazing things happen.”

The payoff is a place for his 9-year-old son to grow and thrive.

“You can’t find these things anywhere. We’re making it better because kids like my son will have something to try through. I won’t have to worry about what happens after school. When they get 22 they’re out, and I won’t have to worry about what’s next. I have a next here and we’re only going to get bigger and better.”

LaShakia Moore and Mitzi Martinez

Volunteering her time when able, ESE paraprofessional Mitzi Martinez says the enrichment center is a valuable resource for families with special needs loved ones.

“I love the enrichment center, seeing some of my former students. I love volunteering here,” she said. “This is very important because we need an opportunity for the parents to get together. Everybody just gets to be themselves and just have a great time.”

Attending the ribbon cutting celebration, Flagler Schools Superintendent LaShakia Moore is a cheerleader for all things positive when comes to education, and is especially excited about the opportunities Vincent’s Clubhouse is providing.

“This enrichment center is great for our adults with disabilities as well as our school age children with disabilities. For a number of years Vincent’s Clubhouse has been doing a summer camp over the summer and this just provides another opportunity for that to be sustained within our community. I truly believe as we take care of our must vulnerable, it will do better things for our neurotypical community members, as well,” shared Moore.

Full Circle Moment

Vincent’s Clubhouse began when Erica and Hector’s son Vincent wanted to have a summer camp like his cousins growing up. Creating the weeklong summer camp by renting out a classroom from their own money and hosting it for Vincent and others, over the years, Vincent’s Clubhouse became a community staple.

Cutting the ribbon on his very own clubhouse on Tuesday, Vincent’s joy was boundless as he leaped into the air in celebration. Hugging those closest to his heart, Vincent was surrounded by his very own tribe of friends and family he has come to know and love.

Retired Flagler County Commissioner George Hanns joins current Flagler County Commissioners Pam Richardson, Greg Hansen and Chairman Andy Dance for the Vincent’s Clubhouse ribbon cutting on January 21, 2025.

For Erica, the work has just begun.

Vincent’s Clubhouse serves community members of all ages.

“It’s probably, besides my kid being born, the best day of my life,” she said. “To have this community come together to really support Vincent’s Clubhouse, and an organization that’s been around for almost 10 years, it’s better than I ever could have imagined.”

“I want our center to provide our community with the space and a place that they know they can come and get valuable resources and support when they’re facing (challenges) at any point in their journey, whether it’s a newly diagnosed 3-year-old or, one of our members, she’s 56-years-old, was in a group home for 26 years and is part of our adult program. She said to me, of all the programs I’ve been in during my life, this is the best one,” shared Erica.

Raising a toast with apple juice, executive director Erica Flores.

Finding Purpose

Over the years, Flagler County businesses have opened their doors to offer employment opportunities to the special needs community. It’s a challenge to find these coveted positions outside of culinary or environmental services according to Erica.

“Employment is a huge issue in Flagler County for people with disabilities. The approach that Vincent’s Clubhouse takes is very different than most programs. We take our members, find out their strengths, likes, dislikes, comforts, their talents and we find job opportunities and work opportunities that fit them, just like a neurotypical individual,” said Erica.

Erica Flores, Vanessa Cole.

Partnering with Vanessa Cole, co-owner of Coffee News Northeast Florida, Erica says they are on track to have more opportunities to offer members of Vincent’s Clubhouse.

“Vanessa approached us about delivering the Palm Coast edition of the paper, and we actually started this week. We started today. The members were arranging all of the papers, sorting and organizing. To see that in motion was incredible. They got so excited. They were learning and counting, and they felt valuable,” she said.

“It’s going to transform, in our community, how people see individuals with disabilities.”

Vanessa calls it a win-win for both her business and the participants.

“When I was a publisher in the north Georgia and Chattanooga, Tennessee area, we actually partnered with an agency up there similar to Vincent’s Clubhouse, and they did all our deliveries up there,” said Vanessa.

“It’s been very challenging here to find an agency that does that, so I spoke to Erica a few months ago. I’m super excited. It’s a win-win.”

For more information or to find out how you can support Vincent’s Clubhouse, visit www.vincentsclubhouse.org.

Flagler County School Board member Lauren Ramirez and Palm Coast City Council
member Teresa Pontiere attend the ribbon cutting.