New initiative to bring inclusive marketplace, housing for those with intellectual, developmental disabilities
New Bucks County initiative will help empower those with intellectual and developmental disabilities
An ambitious non-profit, Next Steps Programs, has a new initiative to turn a piece of property into a residential and retail building, incorporating space for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live and work.
DOYLESTOWN, Pa. - A new initiative in Bucks County aims to redefine inclusion and opportunity for everyone. The nonprofit "Next Steps Programs" is dedicated to empowering young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, but they need your help as they are working to raise $4 million by the end of February.
It's an ambitious plan by the nonprofit to turn a piece of property into a residential and retail building, incorporating space for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live and work.
"It was on the market, and everybody that wanted to buy it wanted to put in townhomes or single-family homes. We didn’t see that vision," said Mike Moyer, whose family owns the property.
Instead, fourth-generation business owner Mike Moyer decided there might be a better use for the family property, which sits close to the train station in Doylestown.
Josh Fields, who runs an eight-year-old nonprofit, provides services for adults with disabilities.
"There are no housing or employment solutions for people with disabilities across the state of Pennsylvania—not just Bucks County and Doylestown, but the state and the country," said Josh Fields, executive director of the Next Steps Program.
Fields, who has worked in the nonprofit sector for years, had a vision to create a unique space in Bucks County with a mix of retail and residential units that would accommodate adults with disabilities who age out of the system, often without job training or long-term family care.
He found the building and Mike Moyer, and now Fields is trying to fundraise to buy Moyer’s property.
"There are resources in this community, and once people understand how important it is, what we do will leverage those resources," Fields said.
Fields' connection to young adults with disabilities is personal.
His middle school friend, Meghan Kensil, who has Down syndrome, now works at the Next Steps Program office and would love to live independently one day.
"Everyone in my family is so happy and proud and excited, and it’s special for me to have this dream job," said Meghan Kensil.
To bridge the gap between vision and reality, funds are needed for the nonprofit to buy the property. If you want to pitch in, reach out to TNS, the Next Steps Program.