Stories of independence

Blair's Story

"My sister has been at the S. Glebe Rd. house for many years. While living there, she has definitely learned to live in harmony with others and to do her part."

David's Story

"For as long as anyone can remember, David has been infatuated with the sight and sounds of airplanes. David has been with CRi for more than 12 years."

Embracing Challenges

COVID-19 challenged the disability support community, & the world, in ways no one could have imagined. Social isolation, program closures, health & safety concerns, staffing shortages, & policy changes are just a few examples of the pandemic's impact on an industry that already works harder than many to support some of the region's most vulnerable populations.

Embracing Culture

"Learning about each other, where we come from, who we are, what we love, that's what it's all about," says Quinta Emefele, Program Director at Newbrook Loudoun. This is one of the most unique parts about CRi -- Embracing culture.

Emmanuel's Story

Emmanuel spent the first part of his life in a 1-to-1 ration, rarely leaving the house. The first thing he said when he arrived at CRi was "I want friends." He never had any before...

Grace's Story

“I became interested in CRi when my dad spoke to me about the mission & purpose of the organization this past Spring, but I got really involved with CRi by accepting a summer internship here,” states Grace George.

Henry's Story

Judith Reflects on Her Son

My son, who is now in his mid 40s, was diagnosed at an early age with a Developmental Disability.

Julie's Story

I first became interested in CRi when I was referred by a former employee.

Kate's Story

"Kate, our daughter, is deaf and severely intellectually disabled. She is in the Intermediate Care Facility on Jackson St. where she gets 24/7 care."

Kevin's Story

It isn't just the work ethic that has caught my eye, but also the positivity that the staff has managed to keep up while shouldering their work.

Mary's Story

It's been a long & challenging year for Mary Groschan. It was just surreal," says Mary. "It's been very sad, there's no other real way to put it. We had no idea when this started just how long it would last. We were unaware of much it would affect us all, especially our loved ones.

Perry's Story

"My stepson has been a resident of the group home on Jackson Street in Arlington for about 15 months. I have been tremendously impressed with the concern that the staff shows for him."

SummerFest - The Buzz 🐝

SummerFest 2023 took place on May 20 and to say that we had a wonderful time would be a major understatement. An inclusive celebration of community, SummerFest brought together people from all walks of life to participate in music, food, games, & FUN. The only event of it's kind in the area, SummerFest aims to provide an inclusive & accessible place for people with disabilities to celebrate the summer. With adaptive games, a DJ, photobooth, Kona Ice truck, lunch & other events, SummerFest was an amazing place for community engagement & togetherness. CHECK OUT WHAT SOME OF OUR ATTENDEES HAD TO SAY ABOUT SUMMERFEST '23 BELOW: “Summerfest was beyond wonderful! I'm still "haunted" by the fantastic memories of that beautiful day, and look forward to a repeat next year! When my partner, who has two sons with developmental disabilities, asked me to attend Summerfest with her, I agreed, albeit reluctantly. Oh, boy, was I in for a beautiful surprise! Now, I can't wait for next Summerfest. You folks managed to pull off a miracle, and I can honestly say I haven't had that much fun in decades! Congrats, all of you! What you did was utterly amazing!” “It's great to see the individuals you support were able to attend! I've never really seen anything like that before -- What an inclusive event!” “It was a beautiful event. We enjoyed it very much & we already have next year on our calendar!” “CRi thank you for inviting my son and me. He is learning to break out of his shell. And this was something he really wanted to take part in. Looking forward to next year!” It is normally difficult for us to take Sean to community events due to his wheelchair. Thank you so much for creating a space where he could feel included. You have no idea how much it means to our family. See you all next year! SAVE THE DATE FOR SUMMERFEST 2024: June 8, 2024, 11am – 2pm 14160 Newbrook Dr, Chantilly VA 20151 Advance registration REQUIRED. Registration opens winter 2024 Looking to get involved in SummerFest '24? For sponsorship information, contact Betsy at Bleeman@mycri.org. For information on volunteering, reach out to volunteer@mycri.org. For more general information on SummerFest, visit mycri.org/summerfest