March 31, 2010

Fredericksburg, Virginia ––Rappahannock Adult Activities (RAAI) annual plant sale begins Saturday, April 17, 2010 at their 750 Kings Highway, Fredericksburg location (approximately 3 miles East of the Chatham Bridge). The hours of operation are Monday through Friday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; and Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. During the 24th Annual Mayfest Celebration on Saturday, May 1, 2010, plants will be on sale from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Through the horticulture therapy program, RAAI participants grow more than 100 plant varieties. According to horticulture therapist, Robin McGirr, “Our horticulture program gives participants a sense of accomplishment. They watch as the seedling they planted grows into a beautiful flower.” The program has once again been growing container gardens at the greenhouse at the Patricia K. Spaulding Building in Caroline County. The gardens are available for sale.

Rappahannock Adult Activities, Inc. is a community-based developmental day program that promotes dignity, independence, individualization, inclusion, and productivity of people with intellectual disabilities in their home communities.

For more than 30 years, Rappahannock Adult Activities, Inc. has provided a community-based developmental day program that promotes dignity, independence, individualization, inclusion, and productivity of people with intellectual disabilities in their home communities. RAAI helps keep these individuals out of institutional settings and allowing caregivers respite from care responsibilities. Proceeds from the plant sales provide scholarships to allow participants without funding the opportunity to attend RAAI.  

Day support services for Individuals without the state funded Intellectual Disability/Mental Retardation Waiver or another funding source can cost up to $100 a day or more than $20,000 annually. There currently are 14 local individuals requiring financial assistance to attend day support programming.

RAAI currently serves more than 140 participants at their five locations in the City of Fredericksburg, Caroline County, King George County, and Stafford County. In addition to the horticulture program, participants volunteer in the community, enjoy a technology lab, and are active in many wellness activities. RAAI is a program of Rappahannock Area Community Services Board (RACSB) and is an agency of the Rappahannock United Way.

Founded in 1970, the Rappahannock Area Community Services Board (RACSB) provides public mental health, intellectual disability, substance abuse, and prevention/early intervention services to the residents of the City of Fredericksburg and the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford. RACSB operates six outpatient clinics which provide individual, group and family therapy; specialized counseling and case management services; psychological assessment; 24-hour crisis intervention; and medication management services. RACSB operates eight group homes for adults with intellectual disability providing 24-hour intensive and structured support. RACSB also offers mental health day support, residential services, and crisis stabilization at The Sunshine Lady House for Mental Health Wellness & Recovery. The Parent-Education – Infant Development Program provides developmental, physical, occupational, and speech therapies as well as service coordination to infants and toddlers with developmental delays. Programs of RACSB include Rappahannock Adult Activities, Inc., Project LINK, Program for Teen Parents, Rappahannock Area Kids on the Block, DARE To Be You – Rappahannock Area, Second Step, Too Good for Drugs, and Healthy Families – Rappahannock Area. To learn more, visit www.racsb.state.va.us.

# # #