Newsletter Articles

Aluminum Can Drive for Valley Residential Services Most of the individuals we serve live on an average of just $986 per month from Social Security Disability, along with about $177 in SNAP benefits. As you can imagine, that doesn’t leave much room for anything extra, many are simply scraping by. Some of our clients collect aluminum cans to earn a little extra cash. It may seem small, but it makes a real difference. You can help. Instead of tossing your cans into recycling, se

Part 3: The Reality Behind the Numbers Over the years, Valley Residential Services has survived—and grown—because of creativity, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to doing the right thing. In the early days, funding was limited, but wages were often well above minimum wage. Residential work was not viewed as an entry-level position. It was seen as skilled, important work. As a result, the organization was able to attract employees with strong experience and a deep sens

The journey to the coveted mirror ball trophy has officially begun! Our 2026 dancers have been announced, and they are already hard at work raising funds and preparing for their big moment on stage. Please join us in welcoming this incredible group to the W2 Stars team: Rob Jackson, Kim Scrima, Josh Reyes, Gina Hartzheim, Chris Price, Melissa Stroe, Ryan Konen, and Tristyne Brindle. This year’s event will take place on October 10th at Cordiner Hall on the Whitman College camp

For Noelia , family doesn’t look the way it does for most people. There are no regular visits, no holiday gatherings, no familiar voices calling just to check in. But that doesn’t mean she is without family. At Valley Residential Services, Noelia has found her people . Noelia has spent her entire life in supported living, starting in another facility. She lives with spastic cerebral palsy and is nonverbal, relying entirely on caregivers for every aspect of her daily life—fr

You may remember Kayla’s story… Kayla lives with a rare, debilitating heart condition along with a developmental disability, making daily life more complex and requiring ongoing support. But despite those challenges, Kayla has a dream, and she’s bringing it to life. One of her biggest goals was to create her very own coloring book and sell it on Amazon. Well… great news ! With the help of Joe Zarate, our incredible Program Manager and Activities Director, the first batch has

A Story That Lives On At Valley Residential Services , we do more than provide services—we create homes, build community, and nurture dignity. For adults with developmental disabilities, we offer support that makes daily life possible and meaningful. For veterans in our Corps of Recovery Discovery (CORD) program, we provide safe housing, recovery support, and a path forward. For families, we offer reassurance that help is available during life’s most challenging moments. The

Several of our Valley Residential Services clients recently had the incredible opportunity to attend Night to Shine — an unforgettable prom-style evening designed especially for individuals with special needs. From the moment our clients stepped onto the red carpet, they were celebrated like royalty. There was dinner, dancing, karaoke, limo rides, shoe shining, makeup touch-ups, and the highly anticipated crowning ceremony where every single guest was honored as a King or Que

As Valley Residential Services continued to grow through the 1980s and 1990s, Nancy began to see new needs emerging in the community. “We were always watching for gaps,” she explains. “If there was a need and we had the skill set, we tried to step into it.” During those early decades, VRS secured a behavior management contract with what was then the state’s Developmental Disabilities Division (DDD). The focus was in-home support for children with developmental disabilities wh

There has been a great deal of conversation about long-term care eligibility changes this legislative session. While lawmakers stated that certain changes were not made, significant cuts to disability services have surfaced in other parts of the state budget, all impacting Medicaid. These reductions may not be labeled as “Medicaid cuts” in bold print, but they are very real. And they matter deeply to the individuals and families we serve. What’s Being Cut? $33.5 million from

In the wee hours of the morning on January 21, while most of Washington was still asleep, Joe Zarate, Program Manager and Activities Director, set out  with two Valley Residential Services clients , leading our delegation from Valley Residential Services to meet the bus in the Tri-Cities. From there, they traveled together to Olympia—not for convenience, but for conviction. At the State Capitol, advocates, self-advocates, families, and supporters from across the state gathere

Nancy Riggle’s path into residential services began long before Valley Residential Services had a name. As a junior in college, Nancy needed to work while completing an intensive program called University Year for Action , which required significant internship hours. Paging through a thick book of paid and unpaid placements, one opportunity stood out: Juniper Ridge Group Home in Moses Lake. It was a brand-new residential program serving people with intellectual disabilities,

Across the country, there is growing discussion about potential federal budget changes that could affect programs like SNAP (food assistance) and Medicaid. Families, veterans, and providers are understandably asking:  Will these changes affect the people we serve? At this time,  there are no widespread cuts to SNAP or disability services for most individuals , but there is uncertainty ahead. People with documented disabilities typically qualify for exemptions from work requir

It’s 2026, and we’re excited to kick off Dancing with the W2 Stars!This month, we’ll be conducting interviews with our incredible list of potential dancers—and we’re also welcoming sponsors to be part of something truly meaningful. This event is a powerful way to shine a positive, impactful light on our clients while showcasing your business to an audience of 450+ attendees, with even more expected this year. By becoming a sponsor, you’re not just supporting an event—you’re h

Mike and Francis have lived a long, meaningful life together. One shaped by family, faith, perseverance, and the steady presence of support when it was needed most. They met on a blind date on October 24, 1970, and just weeks later, on December 12, 1970, they were married. More than five decades later, they remain devoted partners who are deeply connected to one another and proud of the life they have built together. Both Mike and Francis have intellectual disabilities, which

As we begin a new year filled with change and opportunity, we hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. It’s hard to believe that 2026 is already upon us. With the new year comes an important announcement. At the end of 2026, after an incredible 47 years with VRS, our Executive Director, Nancy Riggle, will officially retire. The Board of Directors has begun forming a search committee and will be working on a thoughtful and well-planned transition. In the meantime, we want