Burke Arts Council and JIRDC Photography Club Collaboration

In a vibrant showcase of community artistry, the Photography Club premiered their debut exhibition, "Through Our Eyes," this May. Hosted by the Burke County Arts Council and made conceivable by the Grassroots Grant, the event opened doors to new horizons of visual storytelling.
With a remarkable turnout for the grand opening, attendees reveled in the diverse array of photographic narratives. The gallery walls of the Arts Council came alive with snapshots that ranged from majestic trees to favorite objects. Each photograph etched a unique perspective of the club's photographers.
For two weeks the art hung, and the exhibit knit together the community, reminding us of art's ability to bridge divides. In a gesture of inclusivity, the Photography Club extended the exhibit to the JIRDC campus, ensuring that even those who missed the initial display could partake in the experience.
Selected artworks from "Through Our Eyes" now enjoy a permanent home adorning the hallway leading to the director's office, a constant font of inspiration. This inaugural exhibit not only celebrated photography but also diverse viewpoints in a harmonious blend that promises to endure.

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Rod Willcox

Chair​

Melanie Mikusa

Kathy Johnson

Steve Purcell

​Jan Richardson

Marsha Riddle​

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Board of Directors

Assure the Future's mission is to provide enrichment activities not provided by the state for residents of the J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center and to educate the community on ways to be inclusive of young children and adults with disabilities in everyday life.

Recent Projects

Featured Projects

Get Involved

Click on the image to order this year's ornament.

Assure the Future supports a wide variety of projects and events at the Riddle Center.  Every gift makes a difference!

• Volunteer
• Sponsor a resident or a home
• Donate items to Marsha's Closet
• Donate to special programs like SOAR and Exceptional Equestrians
• Donate in-kind services or goods for special projects or events

​Assure the Future

The J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center is a community of adults diagnosed with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), complex behavioral challenges and/or medical conditions whose clinical treatment needs exceed the care available in the greater community. 

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Our Misson

Go Baby Go

Thanks to funding from Partner's Behavioral Health Management and Jack's Edowment, Family, Infant & Preschool Program staff in collaboration with the JIRDC adaptive equipment department modified a power car to support the inclusion of a Burke County resident with complex needs into his family and community activities. 

GoBabyGo is a national initiative started at the University of Delaware. Its mission is to increase the early independent mobility and quality of life for children whose access to family and community activities bay be limited during their early developmental years. Ride on power toys are modified and outfitted for each child based on their positioning needs and capabilities. When children who will likely need life-long power mobility have early access to it, their development in all areas improves.  FIPP GoBabyGo is North Carolina's first GoBabyGo chapter.

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A NONPROFIT FOUNDATION SUPPORTING THE RESIDENTS & PROGRAMS OF THE J. IVERSON RIDDLE DEVELOPMENTAL CENTER

JIRDC

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