We are thrilled to introduce our Leading Ladies NKY June Non-Profit Spotlight:
Redwood School & Rehabilitation Center “Where Abilities Grow”
Mission:
Redwood guides children and adults with severe and multiple disabilities to achieve independence and reach their highest potential by providing enriching educational, therapeutic, and vocational services.
When did the organization start and by whom?
The story of Redwood is a story of love, dedication, and community. It began in 1951 when Bill and Sue Reder discovered that Northern Kentucky had no services for their son, Ron, who was born with cerebral palsy. Al and Dorothy Wood, whose daughter, Cheryl, also had cerebral palsy, found themselves in a similar situation. In 1953, under the leadership of the Reders and the Woods, these parents founded the organization to provide services, solutions, and hope for all children with disabilities. These two families, the Reders and the Woods, give us our namesake Redwood.
What makes your organization stand out among others?
Redwood serves both adults and children, starting at 6 weeks old and continues services throughout a client’s life. Redwood’s children’s services also serve both children with severe and multiple disabilities as well as typically developing children in integrated classrooms. Redwood offers in-house and virtual therapeutic services to adult and children’s clients. Clients can be seen by their therapists during their time at Redwood. This allows for therapist to see the clients in their program room environment, allowing to better serve clients by giving program staff skills to work on.
What are the greatest needs of the organization?
Redwood is always in need of art supplies, books, puzzles and all types of batteries in our program rooms. We are also focused on updating all of our program rooms due to the age of our facility.
Who do you assist? Why?
Redwood serves and assists both children and adults with severe and multiple disabilities throughout their entire life span beginning as young as 6 weeks old and continuing through their lives – some of our clients are in their eighties! Redwood believes in growing the abilities of our clients and increasing independence through enriching educational, vocational, and therapeutic services allowing clients to reach their highest potential.
How can people get involved with the organization?
Redwood relies on the dedication and commitment of our donors, volunteers, and community supporters. Redwood offers many opportunities to experience the miracles of Redwood though the eyes of a volunteer. Learn more about our current and upcoming volunteer opportunities by visiting our website, redwoodnky.org/volunteer.
We are always looking for volunteers to help plan events and help us with landscaping projects around our building.
Anything else you would like to include?
Redwood recently celebrated our 68th year anniversary of serving individuals with disabilities in Northern Kentucky. This spring, Redwood was nominated and chosen as one of five finalists in the Heritage Award category. The Heritage Award “recognizes a business that has shown consistent stability and has been an economic contributor to the Northern Kentucky community. A business that has been actively involved in serving and offering employment opportunities and has stayed relevant in the community through good and bad times. A business that has been serving the community for longer than 25 years.” Redwood won the Heritage Award at a ceremony in May.
Upcoming events:
On Sunday, September 5th join us for a can’t-miss Redwood Annual Celebration! Celebrate shattering the barriers for individuals living with disabilities while enjoying community awards and the WEBN firework display from the Metropolitan Club in downtown Covington, KY. More details to come! Stay connected with us by visiting our website redwoodnky.org or on social media – Facebook and LinkedIn.
