By Heather Bell
RADFORD – For more than 50 years, the Intellectual Disabilities Agency of the New River Valley has been providing activities for people with intellectual challenges.
Across the years the name of the agency has changed. It was the New River Valley Agency for Persons with Mental Retardation in 1965, but the mission remains the same. The IDA provides life-enhancing programming and advocacy for people throughout the New River Valley who live with brain injuries, have Down Syndrome, are developmentally delayed or have other intellectual challenges.
According to its mission, the agency provides “educational, recreational and developmental programs for children, youth and adults with intellectual disabilities that provide opportunities to develop skills needed for integration into and acceptance by the community, informs the public regarding the needs of persons with intellectual disabilities, and enables clients to access resources and participate more fully and actively.”
Under the direction of Executive Director Sheila Roope, along with a board of directors, hundreds of people in the NRV get to participate in swimming, dances, cooking and craft classes, fishing, bowling, and a host of sports. People with and without intellectual disabilities participate in the activities side-by-side, and a cadre of volunteers help it all run smoothly. The activities enrich the lives of the clients, the volunteers and the families of clients. Roope and Board President Earl Brown say the interaction of people from all walks of life is heartwarming to see.
“Intellectual disabilities do not discriminate,” said Brown. “Anyone can have an intellectual disability, no matter what socio-economic status or lot in life.”
“Sometimes it’s hard to tell who has a better time and benefits more from our programs – the clients or the volunteers,” added Roope.
Now, though, the IDA of the New River Valley is at a crucial junction. Funding issues are putting the organization in danger of not being able to continue its decades-long mission. The agency does not receive any state or federal funding. Most of its support is from local United Way agencies in the New River Valley. The IDA relies on the proceeds from a few major fund-raisers each year, along with donations from the public and from businesses, to keep going.
“Funding is becoming a major issue,” said Brown. “We are at the point where we might not be able to keep going. This is a population that needs help. It takes a village to take care of people. It takes all of us.”
The next fundraiser for the IDA is a March 25 at Jersey Mike’s subs in Blacksburg. On that day, 100 percent of the proceeds will be given to IDA. The IDA is “so grateful to Jersey Mike’s for having such a tremendous community spirit. We thank them for their support and great food,” said Roope in an announcement of the fund-raising day.
Brown says he is tremendously grateful to all the local businesses and individuals who help keep the IDA of the NRV going. In April, the IDA will host its annual wine tasting, and in August it will be time for the agency’s golf tournament. More details on both events will be forthcoming. Brown said it is vital to have good participation in all of the upcoming fundraisers.
It’s kind of make-or-break for us this year,” he said.
To support the IDA of the NRV, or for more information about upcoming fundraisers, contact Roope at 381-0310.
