Kristine
Jones didn't mean to fall in love. The Ohio native admits she never
thought she'd end up moving to Kentucky to be closer to the object of
her affections.
But for the health
and well-being of her daughter Taylor, who was born with multiple
handicaps, Jones discovered that she could not find any better support
and encouragement than at Redwood in Ft. Mitchell.
Jones,
a Procter & Gamble retiree, first learned about Redwood when she
ran out of options for summer care for Taylor. Her daughters needs were
too great for traditional camps, and Jones didn't know where to turn.
Redwood, which serves more than 700 children and adults with severe and
multiple disabilities, from age six weeks and up, had summer programs
where Taylor found a welcome home.
After
two successful summers at Redwood, Jones needed little convincing to
enroll her daughter in the non-profit's school age program, especially
since it offered her afterschool care as well as classrooms that were
split 50-50. Half of the students in each class have disabilities; the
other half does not.
"It's a place
where her special needs are seen, not as obstacles, but just part of
every day living," says Jones, who joined Redwood's Board in 2005 as a
way to give back. "She is encouraged to become the best that she, as an
individual, can be."
The Jones' school
move included a physical family move across the river. In 2006, Taylor
graduated into Redwood's Adult Independence Program, which she still
attends every day. Adults in the program work with mentors to learn
computer skills, exercise and practice daily living skills.
"My
daughter gets up in the morning eager to go to Redwood," Jones says.
"Taylor has become the self-assured young lady she is today due to the
staff at Redwood."
From a nursery to
job training, Redwood's depth of services reflect its mission since its
founding in 1953: To empower and improve the quality of life for people
with disabilities.
Do Good:
• Take a trip on the Redwood Express. The March 4 fundraiser includes food, bourbon-tasting and Mardi Gras-style fun.
• Care for a Kid.
Support Redwood's scholarship program for kids in need and help young
ones with disabilities access Redwood's top-quality care.
• Donate. And find out plenty of other ways to help when you visit Redwood online.
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