River’s Way Therapeutic Fishing Center and Project Healing Waters provide US service men and women with disabilities with the opportunity to both emotionally and physically rehabilitate from active duty by providing adequate accommodations and services to promote a safe fly fishing  experience.  

Kristina Melvin has been coming to River's Way for many years. We always love to have her because her enthusiasm is infectious! She attends summer overnight camps and respite camps during the school year. We also see her when we run team building activities with her high school class. Kristina enjoys plays and crafts. She is also proud of her hiking abilities. Kristina is inspirational because she loves making friends, and she is willing to try new challenges.  

Alex Lucado goes to Virginia High School in Bristol. He has a visual impairment along with an intellectual disability.  Alex started coming to the River’s Way Alive and Well after school program at the Bristol Family YMCA in September.  Alex has steadily increased his weights on the Nautilus machines and he rides the stationary bicycle at full speed for 30 minutes.  Alex is inspiring because he works hard and always gives his best!  Physical activity is vital for individuals with disabilities. For more on physical activity and disabilities see the National Center for Physical Activity and Disabilities. http://www.ncpad.org/ 

As people in our community struggle to meet basic needs of food, shelter and clothing, why do donors continue to support River’s Way?  I think the answer is found in the survey response of a teacher at the Morrison School in Bristol Virginia: