NextStep hosts first carnival fundraiser

By: Shelia Mader

Last Saturday, with back-to-school giveaways scattered all over the county, NextStep at Endeavor Academy hosted their first carnival fundraiser. The event was held at Citizen’s Lodge and the weather was hotter than hot, bringing popularity to an already favorite activity – water slides.

There were yard games, prices, bounce houses along with the water slides. It is hopeful the carnival will be one of many fundraisers hosting by those attending NextStep in the coming months.

The NextStep program is a two-year transition program for autistic adults. Students are taught independent living skills, employability skills, and the importance of community connections. There will be housing available as they progress through the program.

The main goal of the fundraiser is to raise money for the new apartments being built at the facility. “All proceeds from all of our fundraisers go directly towards the construction of our apartments and the things that we need over there to make them as perfect as we can possibly make them for our participants who are moving in,” Director of NextStep Tammy Dasher said.

The apartments give the students the feeling that many college students experience when they leave the next after high school. Giving them the opportunity to live and learn in close proximity of each other is a big plus as they have attended NextStep together. It provides them opportunity to experience independent living skills they have and are continuing to learn.

The event was small in turnout but big in the eyes of those putting on the event.  

To keep up with future fundraisers, you can follow NextStep on Facebook.