Newsletter Articles

Across Washington state, organizations serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are facing an increasingly uncertain funding landscape. Earlier this year, disability advocates raised concerns about proposed reductions to services funded through Washington's Developmental Disabilities Administration. At one point, proposed budgets included approximately $30 million in reductions to waiver services that help people with intellectual and developmental disa

For most of us, having a place to call home is something we rarely stop to think about. We decide what to eat for dinner. We choose what time to get up in the morning. We visit friends, go shopping, head to work, attend appointments and participate in our community. For people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, having those same choices has not always been a given. For generations, many people with disabilities were separated from their families and communities

There is something pretty special that happens when hundreds of people fill Cordiner Hall for Dancing with the W2 Stars. Yes, we are there to watch eight brave local Stars take the stage after a whirlwind week of learning to dance. We are there to cheer, laugh, vote and see who takes home the trophy. But we are also there for something much bigger. We are there for Valley Residential Services. One of the easiest and most important ways you can support VRS is simply to buy a t

A recent trip to Silverwood Theme Park gave VRS clients a day filled with rides, laughter, adventure and plenty of great memories. But days like this are about much more than just having fun. They are about inclusion. They are about having new experiences, spending time with friends and feeling part of something bigger. Most importantly, they are about having the opportunity to do what everyone else gets to do: get out, experience life and simply enjoy yourself. VRS staff con

Why should you go? Because this is one of those nights that reminds you just how amazing our community can be. On October 10, eight local Stars will take the stage at Cordiner Hall after just one whirlwind week of rehearsals with professional dancers. There will be big performances, plenty of laughs, friendly competition and an audience that gets to help decide who takes home the trophy. But the best reason to attend is the one behind it all. Dancing with the W2 Stars is Vall

At 85 years old, one veteran came to CORD looking for something most of us might take for granted: a place to get back on his feet and the chance to live his remaining years in peace and quiet. His journey into homelessness wasn't the result of one bad decision. In fact, there is rarely one reason a veteran becomes homeless. Kerry McEwen “It’s a person-centered program because everybody comes from a different background,” said Kerry McEwen, Program Manager for CORD, Valley Re

After nearly 48 years with Valley Residential Services, it would be easy to measure Nancy’s career in numbers. Years worked. Programs developed. Homes opened. Staff hired. People served. But that isn’t how Nancy measures it. For her, it has always been about the people. Over the decades, Nancy has watched individuals come to VRS and grow in ways that sometimes even they may not have imagined. She has watched people gain independence, develop friendships, learn new skills and

When Isaiah came to Valley Residential Services in February 2021, he was 21 years old and had already experienced more than most people should in a lifetime. Isaiah has a rare form of cerebral palsy and is also autistic. He had graduated from College Place High School during COVID, when many of the services and supports normally available to help a young person transition out of school were disrupted or simply unavailable. His life before VRS had also included significant neg

Another incredible year at Camp Kiwanis is in the books! We hope everyone had an amazing time. Over the course of three fun-filled days, campers enjoyed making their own tie-dye shirts, getting temporary tattoos, swimming in the sun, painting nature themed boards, tons of yard games, best selection of music playing throughout the day, and so much more. Of course, we can't forget the food! We made sure every attendee was well-fed, and we received so many compliments on the del

Do you remember Kayla and her coloring book? Earlier this year, Kayla published her own coloring book with the help of the Valley Residential Services staff, all with one big goal in mind: to earn enough money to buy a puppy. Thanks to the incredible support from our community, her first printing completely sold out! We're excited to share that her coloring book is now back in stock in a new, larger format that's even easier and more enjoyable to color. But the biggest news o

Ask Nancy Riggle what she's most proud of after nearly five decades at Valley Residential Services, and you won't hear her talk about buildings, budgets, or awards. She'll talk about people. She'll tell you about someone who learned to live independently after years of being told they never could. She'll remember a family who finally found hope during one of the hardest times in their lives. She'll smile as she talks about a veteran who found stability, purpose, and a fresh s

Before you toss your aluminum cans in the recycling bin, please consider donating them to Valley Residential Services! Our clients collect, crush, and recycle the cans themselves. It's more than just a recycling program, it's an opportunity to be productive, earn extra spending money, build confidence, and experience the pride that comes from working toward a goal. The money they earn helps fill financial gaps for things they enjoy or need, while the work itself provides a se

For many people, Valley Residential Services is a name they may have heard, but not fully understood. That's not surprising. For much of its history, VRS has been what Nancy Riggle affectionately calls "one of Walla Walla's best-kept secrets." While the organization has grown into one of the county's largest employers, much of the work happens quietly, behind the scenes, in homes, apartments, offices, hospitals, schools, and countless community settings. And that's exactly wh

When Roshawn came to Valley Residential Services more than 20 years ago, she carried with her a lifetime of challenges. Removed from an abusive home as a young child, she spent much of her childhood in foster care and experienced significant trauma. Along with autism, PTSD, hip dysplasia, and other developmental and behavioral challenges, Rashon struggled with self-injurious behaviors and emotional regulation. In her early years at VRS, staff worked tirelessly to keep her saf

When people think about Valley Residential Services, they often think about the individuals we support in our residential programs. What many don't realize is that VRS also works with families throughout Eastern Washington, helping parents navigate some of life's most difficult challenges. For Lindy Tibbling, Family Support Therapist with VRS, no two days are ever the same. "My favorite part of the job is the clients," she says. "Everything is different. The needs are unique,

Valley Residential Services recently received difficult news: there will be no increase in state funding for the services we provide. At first glance, that may not sound alarming. But for organizations like VRS, it creates a significant challenge. The cost of doing business continues to rise. Utilities increase. Insurance increases. Food costs increase. Vehicle expenses increase. Employee wages must remain competitive in order to recruit and retain quality staff. Yet the fund

As we take a brief pause from sharing Nancy’s life story, we wanted to ask a question that helps explain so much of who she is: Why has community service always been so important to you? “Honestly, it started with how I was raised. I grew up in a family where community service wasn’t something extra—it was just part of life.” Nancy shares that her parents believed deeply in giving back and in opening their home and hearts to others. Growing up, her family welcomed people from

For Connor, advocacy didn’t begin in a meeting room or on a council board. It began with his own life experience. Connor was born with Cerebral Palsy and is blind. From an early age, he learned how to navigate a world that wasn’t always built with accessibility in mind. But those challenges never defined what he believed was possible for his future. He attended Dayton High School, where he completed his education while beginning to think about what independence would look lik

We are incredibly grateful to Walmart College Place for awarding our program a generous $1,000 community grant. Support like this creates meaningful opportunities for the individuals we serve and helps us continue offering programs that build confidence, independence, and connection. This funding will help support our weekly cooking and craft classes, which are open to individuals with disabilities ages 14 and up throughout our community. These classes provide more than just

For nearly five years, Joe Zarate has grown through the ranks at Valley Residential Services, starting as a Direct Support Professional (DSP), working at the front desk, managing client financial reconciliation, coordinating activities, and now serving as both Program Manager and Activities Director. Today, he oversees three residential homes, supports staff, manages client plans and assessments, and helps create experiences that many individuals served by VRS might not other