News

Jun 19, 2023

Walkathon to benefit ESW

Young adults with special needs age out of the education system when they reach

Young adults with special needs age out of the education system when they reach age 22.

While some of them might enter the workforce, life can become more difficult for their families, who must continue to ensure that their child receives proper care.

Tiffoni Stepney knows that first hand—and through her nonprofit organization based in Morgan Park, Every Step of the Way (ESW) Resource Center, she plans to provide out-of-home respite care for adults with special needs.

To raise funds for her fledgling organization, Stepney is hosting a walkathon.

The walkathon will take place on July 22, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., at the Oak Lawn Park District Community Pavilion, 9401 S. Oak Park Ave. A donation of $5 is requested.

Stepney is raising her 26-year-old daughter, Breche, who lives with autism, and she is determined to help her and others in similar predicaments.

"It's always been difficult, but when she aged out, it's very difficult," Stepney said. "I’m constantly hearing the same thing from parents in the same predicament. You don't think about it until they get to this age, when they age out of school."

Stepney founded ESW in the fall of 2022. An elementary-school teacher and educator of students with special needs, Stepney has 13 years of experience in public schools. She owns multiple degrees in education, including a master's in special education.

Breche has moderate autism but is unable to live independently, and she attended Southside Occupational Academy, which provides educational programming for 18- to 22-year-olds with special needs after they finish high school.

As the threshold for 22-year-olds approached in 2018, Stepney knew her daughter needed to continue participating in appropriate educational programming, but her options were scarce.

Stepney's response to the situation led to the founding of ESW.

The mission of ESW, Stepney said, is to provide clients age 20 and older with resources and referrals regarding education, recreation, health and behavioral intervention.

In one instance, she said, she helped a client find an arts program for a loved one with special needs.

Now, one of the goals of ESW is to arrange for suitable space at a church or park to host activities. Stepney hopes the walkathon, which will be held during Disability Pride Month, will take her one step closer to that goal.

She plans to open the out-of-home respite-care program in June 2024.

"Sometimes behavior problems start because of the fact that your child isn't going to full-time programming," Stepney said, "so it's like you always have to find things for them."

Stepney pursued a teaching career, she said, because she "always liked helping people who struggle with learning."

However, in 2020, in order to care for her daughter, she had to leave her job.

As president of ESW, Stepney's long-term goal is to open a facility similar to Southside Occupational Academy, 7342 S. Hoyne Ave.

Such a facility could offer hands-on instruction to clients, ensuring they keep growing in the same way they were before turning 22.

For now, she wants to give families a viable option so they can be assured that a child is cared for while caretakers tend to other daily necessities.

"A lot of these parents don't have family, parents or people they can trust while they go to work," Stepney said, "or do essential tasks."

The post-walkathon celebration will include refreshments, a DJ, vendors, a bounce house, playground activities and games.

Stepney also plans to apply for grants to fund the mission of ESW.

She doesn't plan on stopping until adults such as her daughter can access all the resources they need.

"It needs to be done," Stepney said. "It's long overdue. I’m not going to be able to rest until that happens."

For more information, visit the website at everystepoftheway2022.square.site.

Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos.

Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles.

Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.

Error! There was an error processing your request.

Would you like to receive our news updates? Signup today!