Last fall, Brian stepped out of school and into the next chapter: adult services at Crossroads. From day one, the staff made him feel right at home — and six months in, he's doing well.

At Crossroads, he's building real vocational and independence skills and having fun! With the help of staff, his regular responsibilities include working at a cafe in the building, where he straightens up and delivers meal orders, and keeping the Crossroads school offices clean and tidy. He also gets regular exercise walking the local rail trails. Back at the program, staff support him through social activities like music bingo and Connect Four with friends his own age, and are helping him become more independent in daily activities like eating lunch and managing his arrival and dismissal routines.

Crossroads has served school-aged students for over 20 years, but the adult program is newer — and critically underfunded. State funding for adult programs is roughly one-third the level of school services. And because Medicaid funds about half of all adult disability programming, the looming federal cuts aren't just a budget issue — they're a direct threat to programs like Crossroads and the people who depend on them.

That's why we're walking. Your donation helps make sure Brian — and adults like him — have access to the staff, the spaces, the jobs, and the community they deserve.