NEW RIVER VALLEY – Each year, The Giving Back Society, a Roanoke Valley nonprofit, seeks to assist organizations whose goals align with its mission to provide a wide variety of information, social and supportive services for underserved and underprivileged children, youth and adults.
This year, the Giving Back Society awarded a $20,000 grant to Intellectual Disabilities Agency (IDA) of the New River Valley.
Earl Brown, President of the IDA board of directors, expressed his gratitude for the grant.
“It will go to continuing our efforts to provide programming that’s beneficial to all individuals that we reach that have intellectual disabilities.”
Denise Helland, Executive Director of the IDA, was also very appreciative of the grant.
“We have been able to start to expand our programs and this will help,” she said. “This is an amazing gift.”
Since 1965, Intellectual Disabilities Agency, a local charitable organization located in Christiansburg, has been advocating for children and adults with intellectual challenges as well as providing social, recreational, educational and transportation services. The activities offer opportunities to increase self-esteem and confidence, exercise, practice social skills and give family respite to family caregivers.
“All of our programs are inclusive, for people with and without intellectual disabilities,” states the IDA website. “All participants are challenged to improve skills, develop friendships, and understand each other’s capabilities through a spirit of equality and team unity.”
The IDA hosts dances at the Christiansburg recreation Center, art classes, craft classes, a fishing rodeo and athletic programs, using Special Olympics volunteers. Programs are open to anyone in the New River Valley. For more information, go to https://www.idanrv.org/.
Staff report