Our Mission

The mission of CREST is to provide effective services and supports to persons who have intellectual/development disabilities and their families. The agency focuses on helping people to live more independently through specialized training activities, and by creating opportunities for adults facing barriers and challenges due to having a disability. Located in Cumberland County North Carolina, CREST has remained a constant, reliable community resource for more than 40 years.

CREST Core Values:

  • Accountability

  • Compassion

  • Competence

  • Determination

  • Integrity

  • Respect

CREST is accredited through CARF International (the Council on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities)

Being challenged in life is inevitable, being defeated is optional.

Roger Crawford- CREST...Rising to the Challenge

CREST is an organization formed during the late 1980's by of a few passionate family members seeking  treatment options for loved ones who had developmental disabilities. This group was determined to create alternatives to institutionalization that would assist disabled people with dignity and a better quality of life.

They initially formed Cumberland Group Homes, a group of rental properties that provided community -based housing and supports to persons with developmental disabilities.

As the 1990's began, the organization added a day activity center and formed partnerships with the Association for Retarded Citizens and Housing Urban Development(ARC/HUD) to operate additional residential programs. The organization was renamed Cumberland Residential and Employment Services and Training. 

In recent years CREST has expanded its services to include vocational training, job placement, and services for consumers who are deaf or hard of hearing,  and blind/sight impaired.

How did we get here?

CREST NC Timeline