About the Nonprofit
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The Next Step Programs was born out of a shared frustration and a desire to create something better for young adults with disabilities. In the summer of 2014, our co-founders Joshua Fields and Richard Price were volunteering at a summer camp for young adults with Down syndrome. As they spent time with the campers and got to know their families, they realized just how few opportunities there were for these individuals as they aged out of the public school system.
Josh and Ricky were both intimately familiar with the challenges faced by the disability community. Ricky had grown up as a sibling advocate, watching his brother struggle to find employment and build a life after high school. Josh had been a part of the disability community ever since he was in grade school, building a close bond with a classmate who has a disability.
Together, Josh and Ricky recognized the need for something more. They saw a community that was full of untapped potential, and they knew that something needed to be done to unlock it. In 2015, they founded The Next Step Programs, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to creating opportunities for people with disabilities as they age out of the public school system.
Today, we are proud to serve over 140 families across 5 counties in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Our programs help students and adults with disabilities build skills for employment, independent living, and planning for their futures. We also work with community employers and businesses around the region to provide training and support for hiring and accommodating workers with disabilities.
At The Next Step Programs, we believe that everyone deserves a chance to live their best life and access all their communities have to offer. We are passionate about empowering the greater community to create access, opportunity and next steps for all! Join us on this journey, and help us create a more inclusive world for all.