Newsletter Articles

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 disabilitie

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