Resources for Human Development

“It was very much a collaborative experience,” said Haverford student Courtney Carter. “I feel very lucky to have stumbled upon this. This partnership struck me on levels beyond academic — personal, emotional, stretching my mind.”

“We weren’t seeking the traditional volunteer experience of ‘us helping them.’ We wanted a partnership, and that’s what it was. We got to know the artists, we formed relationships with them.”

““It was truly an adventure for both parties — and our students probably learned a lot more than the artists from CCW,” said Haverford Professor Kristin Lindgren.”

“That lack of control meant we were terrified the whole time,” Haverford student Sarah Waldis said. “We were pushing against the boundaries and rules of the lab space, and in the moment it was really scary. It won’t grow the way you want it to, it never works how you want it to. What if nothing works? It really felt like a risk, and of course the results were amazing. We got out of our comfort zone and produced something very incredible.”

“I was in and out of the hospital ever since 15 years old,” said Marion, an RHD consumer in North Carolina. “Since I found RHD, I haven’t been doing that. I never thought I’d have my own place, and now I do. I’m happy when I get up every morning. I’m in school; I can read and I can write poems. I have the words now.”

“I’m grateful that RHD exists,” Maxine said. “It’s given me a good, stable environment. You have your own place, but the staff is always there if you need them. My mental health is the best it’s been in over 10 years. “I told the staff last week that I love it here so much that if the day ever comes when I have to leave for some reason, I’m going to chain myself to the building.”

“You can’t make a better choice than RHD,” he said. “My experience with them has been compassion, providing the things I need and hoping that I can do better and succeed. Having the support of RHD has made it so that I feel like I’m on level ground with everybody else. “I’ve been at RHD for four years. And, man, I’m hoping for 40 more.”

“I realized I had a life to live; I didn’t have to go back to the life I was living,” James said. “I feel very peaceful. I’ve got something of my own, and it feels great.”

“RHD saved the day,” said Martha, a Team ARRIVE client. “They saved my life.”

“Every day, I’m on my bike,” James said. “It’s therapy for me. It’s like, when I’m going up a hill, I don’t have time to think about anything else. It frees up my mind, because I’m just thinking about getting up the hill. I don’t worry about anything else. I just want to make it up the hill.”

“Dennis is great to have here,” said Hannah Malone, Lead Sales at Goodwill and Dennis’ supervisor. “He does a lot, he’s always on time, and he works hard. Anything we ask, he does it with a smile on his face. Everyone loves Dennis. He’s great.”

“Darrell is a great worker,” said Brian Forehand, Production Manager at AmeriPride, one of the largest uniform rental and linen supply companies in the country. “He’s a lot of fun to be around. Everybody here loves him.”

“Patty was so helpful, making sure we knew what we needed,” Wendy-Jo said. “When we moved in, Patty sent an organizer to help. I know if I have a problem, I can go to them and I am grateful for the help they provide me.”

“Being part of the RHD Life Sharing program has been a great experience,” said Deanna. “It is a good feeling to see the people that live in my home continue to learn and grow. The people that live in my home feel part of the family and we all continue to grow, learn, and respect each other.”

“I love being a life-sharing provider with RHD,” said Avon. “It is very fulfilling when you see the strides people achieve while in your care.”

“Being an RHD Life Sharing provider has been one of the most rewarding experiences that I’ve ever had,”

“I like shared living because it’s a long time commitment,” Wendy-Jo said. “Lifesharing is family. Carol and Sarah are family, and family stays together.”

“I think about just having her walk beside me like any other child out there,” said Kim, talking about her future hopes for Angel. “It’s going to take a little work, but I believe it can happen.”

“It was very difficult trying to figure out what to do,” Kim said. “Angel’s behavioral issues made things so hectic for our family. Angel had a lot of head banging. She was doing a lot of kicking, hair-pulling and spitting. We were just trying to love her and get past the denial, hurt and pain.”

“I cried tears of joy,” Kim said. “That was something she was never able to do. I actually cried tears of joy because I never thought that would happen.”

“We’ll always be thankful for RHD, and mainly the people who are part of RHD and Valiant Studios and their willingness to make a place for Billy that meets his needs,” Bill said. “It’s the people here; they’re special.”

“Billy isn’t verbal, but we can tell how he feels, and we can see that things are going well. We can tell that he likes being there.”

““When we first heard about a day program that emphasized art and music, I thought: That sounds wonderful and amazing, but I don’t see how it would fit Billy,” Dianne said. “But it’s been such an incredible blessing. We’ve been amazed and pleasantly surprised at what RHD and Valiant has been able to do with him.”

“I keep chiding my family — Billy has been the most successful artist of the bunch,” Bill said. “Everybody is amazed at what he does. I can’t emphasize how much his mood had changed; you see the joyfulness back.”

“Last year Billy suffered a severe seizure and ended up in intensive care on a ventilator, and we didn’t know if he was going to make it or not,” Dianne said. “And one by one, all of his staff showed up. They all came and stayed with us, just quietly hung out and kept vigil. We just realized we had this army for Billy, this army of loving caregivers.”