WOODBINE, Ga. – The infectious atmosphere at Camden Special Steps is music to your ears. The room is filled with the sounds of karaoke and laughter, where everyone earns a perfect 10 for their enthusiasm and spirit.
Aunt Kim, a dedicated volunteer, expresses her excitement, saying, “I get so excited, the hugs, the love that is shared by everybody in here, and to watch the kids like it’s one of the best things in the world.” Aunt Kim embodies the joy and warmth that fills the room. Dressed up and cheering loudly, she is one of their biggest supporters.
Camden Special Steps was founded by Marcia Whitfield to provide local adults with exceptional needs a space to socialize and connect.
“We have two boys on the autism spectrum. We have four total, but the two middle ones, the oldest when he graduated high school, I realized quickly that there was really nothing on a consistent basis here to socialize him,” Marcia explained.
What started with just three participants has now grown to 50 adults over four years.
“God intends for us to have a community surrounding us, and since there wasn’t one, I knew he would provide it if I just stepped out in faith,” Marcia added.
The program meets twice a week for lively activities and occasional field trips.
It’s not just the participants who benefit; caregivers receive much-needed respite, and volunteers find fulfillment and a sense of purpose.
“But as a volunteer, it just fills a void that a lot of us didn’t know we needed,” said one volunteer, describing the sense of enlightenment and joy that comes from being part of this community.
The energy in the room is undeniable. The steppers bring enthusiasm and support for each other, regardless of how they choose to express themselves.
“They’re just truly the most loving, supportive people, humans. I say kids all the time, forever. Yeah, forever. Kids and they could teach the world everything honestly, about acceptance and love and genuine care,” another volunteer shared.
Camden Special Steps is a testament to the power of community, acceptance, and the joy of sharing life together.