Next month will be your one-year anniversary as a Community Associate. What have you learned so far at Groover Labs?

I have learned more about how much happens in Wichita in the (almost) one year of being at Groover Labs than I have my entire life. When I started working here, it had been just over a month since I moved back to Wichita from college in Ohio. The plan was only to be in Wichita for one semester, then move away. When I was interviewing for the front desk, Parker asked me if I planned on staying in Wichita, at that moment, I decided that God placed me here in Wichita for a reason, and that I would stay. I am discovering how beautiful living in Wichita can be. There is such a strong community of people and opportunities here, and I am thankful to learn more about it each day.

Many of my old high school friends left Wichita in search of something bigger and better at colleges they assumed had more connections. I think if they had been exposed to a place like Groover and learned about what is hidden right under our noses, a lot of them would have stayed.

What's your favorite thing about Groover Labs?

My favorite aspect of Groover Labs is getting to know and hearing the members' stories. Since Groover Labs caters to startup companies, it attracts people who are willing to be risk takers and have a vision, not only in their jobs, but in every aspect of their lives. While I do enjoy hearing about what people are working on, it’s more that the people who come here are just the most interesting people to get to know. It’s a blessing to be in an environment where people around you are so alive and passionate about life.

When you give tours to people who have never been to Groover Labs, what surprises them the most, and why?

I think it’s the concept overall that surprises people. I have heard “I had no idea something like this existed in Wichita” countless times. Some people express that they have driven past Groover Labs regularly but don’t know what happens here.

Tell us something interesting about Noel Habashy!

My favorite way to spend time is helping with youth ministry. If I say I am working on homework at the front desk, I am most likely working on youth ministry, avoiding homework. Tomorrow, Emmaus Ministries, the Youth Ministry I am working with, is starting a new missionary term. We have a group of young adults who just signed on to lead camps, retreats, and crazy events with the mission of trying our best to let teens know they’re loved and have a community where they're loved. We’ve been working on preparing for the term for quite a while, and I am really excited for what it has in store. Our first event tomorrow is a “Pink Shirt Dance” put on by the guy missionaries (because real men wear pink).