By Elizabeth Hong
Recreation and Habilitation Services is providing a place of support and learning for people with disabilities all over Utah County.
RAH is a private nonprofit group that strives to help mentally handicapped children and adults become as independent as possible. More than 1,100 people with various disabilities use RAH''s services, which include social activities, sports programs, service opportunities and employment assistance.
Cheryl Adamson, assistant director of RAH, said the best part about working with RAH is the people she encounters. Adamson has been working for RAH for 13 years and said she likes seeing RAH bring out the best in people - volunteers included.
'Because a lot of people are generous, and do help RAH by volunteering or helping out with projects, I get to see them when they are at their best,' Adamson said. 'I get to see a lot of positive things that happen in our community, that a lot of people don''t even know happen. Other people might look at youth as a group with a lot of problems, but I see them when they are giving and sharing of themselves. It really fortifies my faith in humanity as a whole.'
Finding funding is the biggest challenge for RAH, Adamson said. The organization relies solely on grants, donations and fundraising. She said RAH also has a problem getting their organization in the public eye.
'We are private nonprofit, and we depend completely on community-based support,' Adamson said.
Fundraising is one of RAH''s specialties. The group has yard sales, recycles aluminum, sells Krispy Kreme cards and May 1 is Run for RAH, a race celebrating abilities and awareness.
Jenny Chase, 21 is an information systems major who has been working with RAH this semester. Chase got involved with RAH for a group project in the Marriot School of Business.
Chase and her group''s main goal was to raise awareness throughout the community about RAH and the services it provides.
'The best part was knowing that what we are doing will make a needed difference for the organization,' Chase said.
Although her project is over, Chase said she would like to continue to help out RAH when she returns for school in the fall.
Pat Taylor, a mother in Utah county, has a son who has benefited from RAH.
'I don''t know what we would do without . RAH is wonderful,' Taylor said in a news release.
To sign up for the Run for RAH or for more information call (901) 374-8074.