The Next Step Programs

“This is the answer to so many questions all at once,” Fields said. “It’s the answer to employment, transportation, friendship, socialization and living, all under one area that is integrated into the community. We’re building a community site that will impact Bucks County for generations to come, if we are able to pull this off.” Thank you Michele Haddon and Bucks County Courier Times for highlighting our most ambitious project yet! The best is yet to come!! 💜 https://lnkd.in/ec5fw69a

We’re thrilled to share this incredible feature from Bucks County Herald about our plans to create an inclusive marketplace and housing project right in the heart of Doylestown. 📖 Read the full story here and help us spread the word by sharing this post! https://lnkd.in/eU36EDs8

Have you ever envisioned a place where young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) can work, live, and thrive in a community that celebrates their talents? At The Next Step Programs, we’ve dreamed of that place—and now, we have the chance to build it. Our vision is simple yet transformative: a vibrant marketplace featuring businesses that employ people with disabilities, inclusive housing where individuals of all abilities can live and thrive, and a central hub for empowerment—all in the heart of Doylestown, PA. Stay tuned for more information releasing in the days ahead. Share this post and follow The Next Step Programs to learn how you can support. https://lnkd.in/ek79YXzH

The Bucks County Herald has named The Next Step Programs as the Best New Business in the Region, and we couldn’t be more excited to share this recognition with our amazing community! As we prepare to celebrate our 10th anniversary in 2025, this award feels extra special—it’s a reflection of the hard work, dedication, and impact we’ve been building for a decade. While we’ve always known the power of our mission, it’s incredible to see the larger community recognizing it too. Thank you to everyone who has supported us along the way—this is just the beginning! https://lnkd.in/e8isM5kG

📢 The Next Step Programs and Bake Ability Bakery are social Innovation Awards Finalists and we need your votes to win! We’re proud to announce that The Next Step Programs (TNS) and our valued partner, Bake Ability, have both been named finalists for the 2025 Greater Philadelphia Social Innovations Awards! This recognition celebrates the groundbreaking work being done to empower individuals with disabilities and create opportunities for independence and inclusion. Vote in these Categories: #13 Young People Social Innovators 🏆 Bucks County Finalist: Josh Fields + The Next Step Programs #7 Innovative Models Leading to Economic Freedom 🏆 Bucks County Finalist: Paula Fasciano + Bake Ability We need your votes to win! Show your support for TNS and Bake Ability by voting now: https://lnkd.in/g-YyJBmX

One year ago, The Next Step Programs made waves on an international scale when our founder, Josh Fields, was honored as part of the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. This recognition brought new connections, generous supporters, and heightened visibility to our mission of empowering young adults with disabilities. Today, we celebrate that achievement while applauding the 2025 class of Forbes 30 Under 30 leaders who continue to inspire innovation and impact. Congratulations to this new generation of change makers! Here's to breaking barriers and building brighter futures together. #forbes30under30

Big news for TNS! Thanks to the incredible support of Farmers Insurance and the advocacy of Denise Campbell, a dedicated parent, board member, and Farmers employee, we’ve been awarded a $10,000 grant! This funding will help us expand our programs, empowering individuals with disabilities to build independence, gain confidence, and contribute meaningfully to their communities. Denise, your commitment to TNS is an inspiration, and Farmers Insurance, your belief in our mission fuels the impact we’re able to make every day. Together, we’re building a more inclusive world where everyone has the chance to thrive. 💜

Mary Kate, one of our incredible team members, attended the NJEPA-TRA (New Jersey Eastern Pennsylvania - Therapeutic Recreation Association) conference to continue expanding her knowledge and expertise in recreational therapy. She even got to attend a session led by one of our own at TNS, Julianne Hirst, who presented on community-based inclusive group exercise as a transition skill—talk about full-circle impact! Mary Kate’s commitment to staying at the forefront of therapeutic practices means bringing fresh, innovative ideas back to The Next Step Programs. Her passion ensures that our participants receive top-tier support, care, and opportunities to grow and thrive. We’re so proud of our team’s dedication to improving lives and creating a more inclusive world. Thank you, Mary Kate and Julianne, for your hard work and heart! 🌟💜

A huge thank you to Foundations Community Partnership for their generous $3,500 grant to support the management and growth of our community garden plot! This funding will help us continue offering hands-on experiences for our young adults to build everyday life skills—like gardening and sustainable practices—while making a positive impact in our local area. 🌿 Together, we’re cultivating skills and connections that will flourish far beyond the garden.

Without programs like our Monday evening's Becoming an Entrepreneur social group, passionate individuals like Julia are often left without the support and community they need to bring their ideas to life. For people with disabilities, the absence of these resources can mean fewer opportunities to explore and grow their talents, share their unique perspectives, and find fulfilling work. Thankfully, through TNS, Julia has the tools she needs to develop her business, Creative Jewelry by Jules, where she creates and sells custom bracelets to the community. By empowering her and others, we’re opening doors to independence, confidence, and connections that benefit us all. Let’s celebrate Julia’s entrepreneurial journey and ensure programs like these continue to exist for everyone with a dream and a drive.