The former USD 253 building in downtown Emporia has a new tenant — Stepping Stones.
Stepping Stones provides services for citizens with developmental disabilities and also care management for frail elderly. The organization was formerly in the Broadview Towers and saw the need to move because the organization was outgrowing the space.
Stepping Stones provides day activities for its clients, said Debra Kelley, who co-owns Stepping Stones with Carolyn Steder. The organization also helps clients develop skills to obtain a job if they wish. The people that Stepping Stones serves have their own homes or apartments, Kelley said. In light of that fact, they provide independent living services such as help with budgeting, shopping, cleaning and laundry. Clients also get help with paying bills if needed.
The new location has ample space for the organization’s needs. A large living area will have games including a pool table, shuffle board and a foosball table; exercise equipment; a seating area with a television and room for interaction. There will be a home theater room with a projector that will be projected onto media paint on the wall. There also are a few offices for the staff, a conference room and a quiet room for clients to use when they are in need of quiet time.
The office will be used for a variety of activities and a place for clients to come and socialize. It also will be used for training purposes for both staff and clients.
“It gets pretty busy here in the afternoons,” Steder said.
In addition to activities that will be in-office, clients do volunteer work, work in the community, work at the farmers market and will be at Hetlinger’s Apple Fest, and also do at least one out of town activity a month.
Kelley and Steder are pleased with the new building.
“We are very excited,” Steder said.