The Joy of Respitality

By Candace Stretch, Manager of Supportive Housing and Family Services

The Cridge Respitality Program is a fantastic example of how the community can come together, with joy, to support families in need.
Each month, 20-30 exhausted parents of children with special needs and mental health challenges get to experience the break of an overnight stay at a beautiful hotel. Making that happen for families is quite a process; one that involves many key players. From the family-serving agencies who refer parents to Respitality, to the hotel partners who generously donate overnight stays, to our team of volunteers who assemble gift baskets for each family, to 2 incredibly passionate staff members who bring it all together —  it is a team effort!
What makes Respitality so special is that everyone who participates feels such joy in being able to give. The testimonials below, from individuals and agencies involved in Respitality in very different ways, reflect the incredible value of this wonderful program.
But, always, the true joy of Respitality is the impact that is has on the life of parents. The restoration, hope and rest that Respitality brings to families is a gift to us all! Read what our partners and families tell us:

A lot of our members love your program.  Keep up the great work and thank the ladies that make up those gift baskets!   — Victoria Society for Children with Autism

Respitality is a great community involvement tool for us. It is great to be able to help out families that are a part of Respitality… and to give back to the community.  — Manager of Bear Mountain Resort

Thank you for the amazing respite you provide.  We got to forget all about our grueling life for a whole magical evening.  — Respitality Parent