Pat Nanney
Wednesday, August 12, 2026 11:12 am
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Sixty years ago Dr. Charles Griffith and wife Dee of Forest City became concerned about what would happen to their son, Chuck, and other children with disabilities when their school days were completed. He gathered a group of local citizens and from that meeting the Rutherford Vocational Workshop was formed. That organization, now known as Rutherford Life Services (RLS), held a 60th anniversary celebration last week. Everyone enjoyed the opportunity to ride in the train, ride the bull, get an icee and enjoy a cheeseburger and fries for lunch.
The workshop, which provided care and work opportunities, was housed in the old Harris school for 10 years. In 1976 the workshop moved to the first building on the current campus located on Fairground Road. The next concern arose for those getting older toward retirement age. That led to the purchase of a building on Thunder Road for an adult day care facility to provide activities for older people with disabilities. There was a children's day care facility next door, which RLS also took over. Later The Learning Tree also became part of Rutherford Life Services.
Director Amanda Freeman, who has been with RLS for 30 years, said their goal is to provide good services to individuals "from the cradle to the grave." Those coming to the campus on Fairground Road can participate in projects being done for local businesses or just do fun things. Amanda says they do work-type projects for local businesses although the number of opportunities decreased with the closing of many textile plants in the county. RLS also purchased a building in Downtown Forest City and operates a store called Utopia.