Next steps, big strides

FROM HER EARLY days in education to her current role as program director, advocate and trusted friend, Jennifer Dyer has always been a tireless champion for young adults with special needs. Her vision for growth and inclusion continues to expand—much like the olive tree that inspired the logo of Next Steps Adult Day Program: Grounded in strong roots and always reaching upward.

When Dyer founded Next Steps, she wasn’t just launching a program—she was building a lifeline. For young adults with special needs and their families, it quickly became a place of belonging, opportunity and hope.

In just over a year, Next Steps has grown into a community where every individual is empowered to thrive.

A longtime special education teacher with more than 25 years of experience (10 in Connecticut, and 15 in the Manasquan School District) Dyer understood the reality that many students face after aging out of the school system at 21. These students are often left without structure, purpose or community connections, and their families are often left trying to bridge the gaps. Next Steps was born to change that.

“Students were turning 21 and didn’t have a structured place to go,” says Dyer. “I wanted to build a program that gave them all the experiences they deserve: learning, working, giving back, and being part of a community. I wanted to offer their ‘next steps’ after graduation.”

What began with just eight clients has already grown to 46. The program is supported by 13 employees (10 of them full-time) and a number of dedicated volunteers. The team includes former special education professionals, as well as some moms who left teaching after maternity leave. Just as it does for their clients, Next Steps provides these professionals a meaningful way to stay connected, even after leaving the classroom.

LEARNING BY DOING

Based at 1521 Beaver Dam Rd. in Point Pleasant, the program runs Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday is the only day spent at their location; the rest of the week is entirely community-based. Thanks to a fleet of five vehicles, usually packed to capacity, clients head out for hands-on experiences in the real world.

Whether it’s stocking the snack shack at Point Pleasant Little League, shopping for Panthers Let’s Eat (a nonprofit that supports local families), or creating birthday boxes for foster children through We Are Loved, Next Steps is rooted in a “learning by doing” approach.

“We don’t take classes,” says Dyer. “We do it. We model the behaviors, we work in the community, and we live the skills. We ask our clients and their families: What would you like to do? Where would you like to go? What do you want to learn? Then I do everything I can to make it happen, not within our walls, but out in the community.”

Next Steps also includes a daily enrichment block from 2 to 3:30 p.m., designed to meet the unique interests and needs of clients. Whether it’s cooking, art, fitness, or financial literacy, clients stay engaged and growing after the core day ends.

This summer, Dyer launched the Next Steps Café. Located at 3100 Bridge Ave. in Point Pleasant, the café is open Wednesdays from 6 to 11 a.m., where clients serve coffee, practice customer service skills and engage with the public in a supportive, structured environment.

“We’re always looking for community partners,” says Dyer, adding, “Businesses willing to open their doors and give our clients a chance to participate in meaningful work.”

The community connection extends to Monmouth University, where speech, occupational, and physical therapy students intern alongside Next Steps clients. This fall, Monmouth interns will lead a weekly hygiene and life skills class. “It’s a win-win collaboration that benefits both future professionals and current clients,” says Dyer.

Accredited by New Jersey’s Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) and an approved, certified Medicaid provider, Next Steps offers families peace of mind without busting their budget. Clients can use their state-provided adult services budgets on a program grounded in compassion, structure and purpose.

Even as they celebrate their one-year anniversary, Dyer is still just getting started. “Transportation is always tight, and we’re growing fast. We’re always looking for volunteers, more businesses to collaborate with, and new ways to expand our reach.” Through it all, Next Steps remains a movement toward independence, inclusion, and a brighter future for all.

THE INSPIRING STORY BEHIND “LOVE, KATIE”

Nicolle Hallman never planned on becoming an author. A longtime middle school language arts teacher in Howell and mother of three, she always loved to journal, but writing a book wasn’t on her bucket list. “My mom would always say, ‘You should write a book,’” says Hallman. “But I didn’t know what I’d write—and honestly, I was afraid of how I’d even get it published.”

That changed last fall, when a conversation with self-publishing coach Lois Hoffman helped turn Nicolle’s years of thoughts, notes and experiences into something real. By November, she had submitted a draft manuscript. After several months of revisions, “Love, Katie,” was published in June.

Part memoir, part tribute, “Love, Katie” is a deeply personal thank-you letter, written for Nicolle’s family, friends and especially for her daughter Katie, who inspired every word. The

title comes from the way Katie signs her own handwritten letters. One of those letters appears on the cover.

Katie, now 23, was diagnosed at age two with a rare chromosome deletion known as 7Q36. “It was so rare it didn’t even have a name,” says Nicolle. With an IQ of 53, moderate to severe hearing loss, sensory challenges and a history of anxiety, Katie’s early years were filled with questions, therapy and a search for answers. But what stood out most was her ability to write. “She’s always written notes to people,” says Nicolle. “She may have trouble processing or hearing, but her ability to express herself through words is beautiful.”

Through the years, Nicolle and her family navigated every challenge, whether it was cracking the code of Katie’s fears (like an intense phobia of dolls), or advocating for educational support. “The great teachers take time to figure out the ‘why’ behind the behavior,” says Nicolle. One of those teachers

was Jennifer Dyer, who worked as Katie’s paraprofessional at Manasquan Elementary and who later became her teacher and lifelong advocate.

“Seeing Jen open Next Steps felt like a continuation of everything we had built,” says Nicolle. “It’s a safe space where Katie can continue to grow, connect, and feel valued.”

As for the book, Nicolle says it was never about achieving a dream, it was about expressing deep gratitude. “I’m trying to be comfortable with the word inspiration. I never found myself to be very inspiring all those years. I was just trying to survive and find normalcy for the whole family. And now, I just wanted to share my story so I could properly thank my friends, family, and community. They truly saved a soul.”

“Love, Katie” is available at BookTowne in Manasquan, at local shops in Spring Lake and on Amazon.

BY MOLLY MECHLER