By: Dylan Gunnels, a member of the Leadership Columbia Class of 2019 dedicated to the beautification and branding of Babcock Center.

“I love being here! Everyone is so nice and fun!” These words enthusiastically flowed from the mouth of one of the consumers at the Babcock Center Work Activity Center in West Columbia as she watched The Price is Right and learned to knit.

With offices and residential homes spanning Richland and Lexington counties, the Babcock Center has been advocating for and providing support to people with lifelong disabilities since 1970, when founder Mary L. Duffie discovered a married couple with disabilities living in a chicken coop — a catalytic event that would influence the work of Babcock Center for many years.

The support offered includes residential homes, a program for seniors with lifelong disabilities, workforce training, community integration, and advocacy. Spend some time with this group and you will quickly recognize the bond that is formed through a passionately dedicated staff and the love of a free-spirited consumer.

“I’ve been blessed,” said Thoyd Warren, President and CEO of the Babcock Center. Warren first started working at Babcock when he was a sophomore in college earning his degree in social work. “The people I supported in that home where I started taught me a lot about life. I’ve learned more from our consumers than I’ve ever taught anyone,” he stated. Warren works alongside Carrie Deaton, who serves as the Director of the Babcock Center Foundation — the fundraising arm of the organization. Looking down at her coffee mug with a sense of reflection, Deaton talked extensively about the family-oriented environment that is found at Babcock Center. “I’m very thankful,” Deaton said. “It’s wonderful to work in a place where you are loved and supported.”

This environment has inspired the Leadership Columbia Class of 2019 to take action and assist in enhancing one of the workforce development facilities on Shop Road, as well as spread awareness of Babcock Center’s offerings and impact through marketing and branding efforts.

This facility is used to train consumers with skills related to cleaning/janitorial, mail, factory work and beyond so they can then further integrate into the community with the freedom that comes from income and independence. The Class of 2019 is hard at work putting in a basketball court, a walking path, green space, and a seating area, as well as renovating and painting the inside lobby. These restorations will provide enhanced training for consumers, offer a more welcoming environment for volunteers, families and potential employers to visit, and encourage a spirit of pride. According to Warren, this is their second largest training center with the highest need for modernized improvements.

An updated website, messaging and a leave-behind strategic guide for future social media and marketing plans will not only raise awareness and strengthen Babcock’s voice and presence in the community, but also spur lasting and continued impact beyond the one-year Leadership Columbia program.

“We are very excited about the renovations being done, but we are more excited about the relationships that will be fostered throughout this project,” both Warren and Deaton explained. Warren reiterated that the Babcock Center has facilities across two counties and that the individuals may be in a home in your own neighborhood. With so much influence, the greatest hope is that through this project, we will begin to recognize our neighbors more. We will build relationships more intentionally. And we will create spaces for the consumers to do the same. “We are good neighbors. We contribute to the community. We have needs. But mostly, we need friends just like you.”

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