Celebrate STEP VA's 10 Year Anniversary!

Ten years ago, a little girl was in a community theatre summer musical with adults and lots of “orphans.” She was alone and did not play with her friends in the green room, laying down instead of lining up with her peers to go on stage. When the girl walked on stage, she moved dangerously close to the edge, as if she would fly off. Two pediatric therapists, who were also in the cast, quickly recognized her uniqueness, and the next day, they brought in a bear to serve as a special prop. This bear was different because it had fishing weights sewn into it to provide sensory support so the girl could perform— and she did, just like her friends. And thus, the concept of STEP VA was born.

We offer our participants with disabilities classes and musical theater productions, giving them an opportunity to bloom from shy individuals, often judged by their disability, to confident young people with strong leadership skills. We provide caregivers with workshops to explore the many resources in our community and to share experiences that have made a difference in the parenting journey. We strengthen our community through our volunteer program, by training future members of the workforce on how to support and advocate for people with disabilities. Every facet of STEP VA comes back to meeting people where they are and celebrating their successes every step of the way.

We invite you to celebrate STEP VA’s 10th anniversary with us as a sponsor at our Boots and Diamonds Gala on September 29, 2023. Help us celebrate accessibility in the arts, the talents of a neurodiverse community, and the power of community to meet a need: creating accessible arts programming in the Fredericksburg region. Our sponsor levels--platinum, gold, silver, bronze—are listed in the table here.

Thank you for making a difference in the lives of countless individuals in the Fredericksburg region. Opening doors for people with disabilities opens doors for everybody. Let’s make Fredericksburg a place where all people with disabilities can develop to their full potential and engage in a just, equitable community when supported with the appropriate accommodations.

Sincerely, Keri Walker

STEP VA Gala Chair and Board Member