<div><strong>A STEP AHEAD: The Story of One Woman, One Daycare, and a System That Turned Its Back</strong>
</div>
<div><em>We’re raising funds to help TJ Parker challenge a devastating $405,000 judgment — issued without a full trial — and fight to reclaim the legacy her mother built.</em>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><em>Read TJ's full account of what happened to her </em><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mPKLNqn-_O3-BP5R8I4dNFCJyXrhwuvBZ6E-iwNnTQU/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>HERE</em></a><em>.</em>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>For over 35 years, A Step Ahead Learning Center was a beloved, Black-owned pillar of Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood — providing affordable, nurturing care to families across generations. Founded by Regina Parker, a single mother determined to create a space where working parents could find quality, compassionate childcare, it grew from a nursery serving 10 children to a thriving center with five classrooms and 71 kids.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Her daughter, TJ Parker, took over and poured her life into continuing that legacy. She didn’t just run the daycare — she <strong>embodied it. </strong>A teacher, a mentor, a second mother to hundreds of kids. For many families, TJ and her center were lifelines.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>But what started with a <strong>leak in the ceiling</strong> in 2015 unraveled into something far worse. The landlord refused to fix the damage. Despite years of calls, texts, and pleas, the leaks grew. Water damaged walls, shelves, books, photos, and eventually forced TJ to close most of the center’s space — displacing dozens of children.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>When she asked for rent relief on unusable spaces, the landlord took her to court.
</div>
<div class="youtube-replace"><br />
</div><iframe media_type="0" media_id="4ujo9J_gEa8" class="youtube-replace" title="YouTube video player" style="margin-bottom:20px;width:560px;height:315px;" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/4ujo9J_gEa8/?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="1"></iframe>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>What followed is a textbook case of judicial failure:</strong>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<ul>
<li>At a <em>Use and Occupancy </em>hearing — meant only to determine temporary rent— <strong>the judge improperly entered a final $405,000 judgment </strong>against TJ.
</li>
<li><strong>No full trial ever occurred. </strong>TJ’s attorney tried to show proof of payment, communication, and damages — <strong>but the judge cut her off, saying “No. No. You -- everybody had their opportunity to testify...We don't really need to see much more...”</strong>
</li>
<li>TJ’s defenses, including her right to argue constructive eviction, were barred through a partial summary judgment.
</li>
<li>Key evidence — including texts, photos, videos, and financial records — was left out during summary proceedings and never reviewed by the court.
</li>
<li>Though TJ had <strong>paid for a jury trial</strong>, legal mishandlings and procedural tactics (“304 language”) locked in the judgment without a fair hearing. A p<strong>artial summary judgment</strong> barred her from presenting evidence at trial — making the path forward feel impossible.
</li>
</ul>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1U_n4AYN0EwAAIM0krYbpKGK_7F3NiN15/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Read the transcript</em></a><em> from this hearing. Ask yourself if TJ was given a fair chance to plead her case.</em>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div class="youtube-replace"><br />
</div><iframe media_type="0" media_id="F4-mPemned0" class="youtube-replace" title="YouTube video player" style="margin-bottom:20px;width:560px;height:315px;" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/F4-mPemned0/?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="1"></iframe>
<div><em>April 2025</em>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>That judgment has now frozen TJ’s accounts, shut down her business, and barred her from removing even classroom materials or toys. The ruling followed her, even though the building remains unrepaired. And by leveraging <strong>a rare procedural maneuver (“304 language”)</strong>, the landlord made sure that what should’ve been a temporary order became legally binding — without trial, without testimony, and without her defense.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>TJ is now liable for every item in that building. As she explained: <em>“Anything that I take out of the center is considered an asset.”</em> Unless a judge declares an item has no value, <strong>she risks further legal action simply for reclaiming what she built.</strong>
</div>
<div><br />
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/76497953_1702692347152401_r." width="100%" />
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>TJ’s loss is not just financial. It’s spiritual.</strong>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>It’s the erasure of her mother’s dream. It’s the collapse of a space built with hands and hope. It’s the heartbreak of being told, by the system you trusted, that your truth doesn’t matter.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>And yet: she’s still standing.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>This is where we need <strong>YOU</strong>.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>TJ is now seeking legal support to file a motion to vacate the judgment and explore what recourse, if any, remains. She’s not asking for charity — she’s asking for justice.</strong>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>Your contribution helps her fight that fight.﻿</strong>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Sincerely,
</div>
<div>Daycare Parents &amp; Friends of TJ and A Step Ahead
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>A Message from TJ</strong>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>My name is TJ, and A Step Ahead Learning Center is more than a daycare — it’s my mother’s dream, and my life’s calling.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>My mother came to this country from Africa with nothing but a stick doll in her hands and a dream in her heart. As a single parent, she knew how hard it was to find affordable, trustworthy childcare. That struggle inspired her to create something better — a place where working families could bring their children and know they were safe, nurtured, and learning.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>I watched her build that dream from the ground up. She laid tile, painted walls, built shelves, took classes, and taught herself everything about early childhood education. What started as a scorched, empty space became a warm, joyful nursery for 10 children. Over the years, it grew into A Step Ahead Learning Center, serving more than 70 children across five classrooms — a home away from home for generations of families in Uptown.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>When my mother passed, I carried on her work. Teaching gave me purpose and peace. The laughter of children, their hugs, their wonder — it reminded me every day why we began.
</div>
<div>For over 35 years, we’ve been part of this community’s fabric. We’ve helped children grow, supported parents, and created a space filled with love and learning.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>But now, I’m fighting to save that legacy.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>What began as a small leak in the ceiling turned into years of damage — to our building, to our enrollment, and to the families we serve. I begged the landlord to make repairs. I offered solutions. I kept paying what I could. But instead of helping, he took me to court.
</div>
<div>In that courtroom, the landlord lied — and the judge wouldn’t even let me speak. I had proof: photos, receipts, texts, reports. But I was silenced. I was ordered to pay rent on spaces I couldn’t use. And now, I’m facing a $405,000 judgment that has frozen my accounts and shut down the center.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>As a Black woman and small business owner, I have never felt more invisible. I’ve poured everything I have into this place — my savings, my strength, my heart — and it’s being taken from me without a chance to defend myself.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>I’m not asking for sympathy. I’m asking for a fair shot — a chance to be heard, to clear my name, and to rebuild.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Your support will help cover the legal fees that stand between me and that chance. Whether you donate or simply share this story, I’m grateful.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>I won’t give up. I can’t. My mother wouldn’t have. And neither will I.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Thank you for standing with me.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>– TJ
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><em>You can see more photos and videos of the damage </em><a href="https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1qV1fwReK8S9hQDjqwAeO3MAB9H4TplTQ?usp=drive_link" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>here</em></a><em>. </em>
</div>
<div><br />
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/76497953_1745618719430514_r.jpeg" width="100%" />
<div><br />
</div>
<div class="youtube-replace"><br />
</div>
<div><br />
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/76497953_1702692420942496_r." width="100%" />
<div><br />
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/76497953_170269247367525_r." width="100%" />
<div><br />
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/76497953_1702692490323944_r." width="100%" />
<div><br />
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/76497953_1702692507674777_r." width="100%" />
<div><br />
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/76497953_1702694652634700_r." width="100%" />
<div><br />
</div>

Limor Gildenblatt

Phyllis Trammell

Caro Oates

Jessica Povtak

Debra Levie

Jackie Taylor

James Reilly

Anonymous

Jacqueline Patterson

Erinn Lawber

Benjamin Schlotfelt

sunjay kumar

Tina Arfaee

Julia Jacobson

Nancy Ellis-Robinson

Paul Erling

Eric Nelson

Justice for TJ & A Step Ahead Daycare

platform

Platform is iOS

Android

Adyen Google Pay Development Audience

$opt_dummy_attribute

English only

Deprecate Stripe Legacy

dyn_template_ids

Adyen V6 Bene Transfer & MyMoney Campaign Organizers - test01

Bene transfer V6 and AdyenV6MyMoney Campaign Organizers - production

OneTrust next-app audience

fundCountryCode

NextDoor Share Option Users

Fundraisers with Reactions feature capability

fundCurrencyCode

US + Non-charity COs Only

locale

fund country is US and user language is English

personId

comms-internal-person-ids

Enhanced Story Experience Users

Suggested Goal Experience Users

user language is English and fund country: US, AU, DK, FI, IE, NO, SE, CA, GB; 

Poster share - new funds eligible (newest 9/18)

Streaming widgets beta user

paymentProcessor

3DS payment method

user language is English and fundCountry: US, AU, DK, FI, IE, NO, SE, CA, GB; 

GoFundMe Employees

ipAddress

Mark Rieth IP Address

Version 9.2.0 and above

Fund is in English speaking country

desktop

Android v12.11.0 and above

Platform is Android

paymentMethodType

checkoutType

Payment method type group to be vaulted on success

admin pr kit prod

EUR Donation Upsell

Share Text generation Skip Fundraiser

(prod) new funds eligible for amp12 (UGC gallery)

fintrac_cad_idv_form_v2 audience

paymentProcessorAccountId

fallback mode accounts

proCampaignId

p2p legacy startfundraising page

AMP24 New Funds Only PROD (DO NOT MODIFY)

countryCode

charityId

UKCharities

Federated Search Internal Testing

route.pathname community

US Donation Upsell audience 

Auto Thanks Feature Audience

Supporter Comments Eligible Funds

International Only

fundId

braze fundraiser group 

Payment Identity Transfers ATO Risk Check (Targeted) - Production

Fundraiser Saved Payment Method Rate Limit Bypass (Production)

leaderboard-partner-id-audience-givepanel

Version 9.2.1 and above

AUD Donation Upsell audience

fundraiserCountryCode is US/EN

Active Fundraiser - Smart Default Cadence

DAF Internal

Vault on success card payment method

Platform is iOS v11.0.0 and above

Desktop users

Person ids

United States (US) users

allow yuno fundraisers for test

Mexico country code

Posters INTL

NPO Profile Opted-In

iOS at or above 12.4.0

non-US recurring donors

Canada Campaign Owner Group

Fundraiser Without Meta Link

Scheduler payment tester gorup

charityCommunityId

Charities allow to be claimed unclaimed (PRD)

Canada (CA) users

currencyCode

UC Tipping v20250115 International

pymk_production_xplr_fe_team

Android at or above 12.2.0

Profile photo entry point audience

smart goals (fundraiser/manage) on test01

Activity Tracking v1 Beta Testing

writePath

Stream Notification

start gfm intl allowed locales

Platform is iOS v11.2.0 and above

unclaimed charities

prod_ach_audience

AI Chatbot Audience

amp13 only new funds (prod) (anyword auto)

UC Flow Enabled (Prod)

Payment Identity Beneficiary Verification - Production

shared notification bell audience

Custom users

ach frontend audience

Android v11.0.0 and above

Users Receiving Payments Paused Notifications

smart goals test01

Manage Coach - US English Organizers Only + new funds only

Team EGG - IP Address list

Fundraiser Without Instagram Deep Link

Native 11.4.0 and above

UC Tipping v20250107

Users Receiving Braze KYC Validation Failed

Native 11.3.0 and above

Influencer - Prod

US fundraisers and US users

ai_title_page

anyword

openai

control

manual_entry

userEmail

template_id

userId

fundUrl

isCharityCo

email

appVersion

shouldBucketIntoExperiment

partnerId

donationCadence

isActiveFundraiser

isPartner

isMobile

npoProfileOptIn

fundIsLinkedWithMeta

hasSessionDonation

isCampaignOwner

fundHasInstagramDeepLink

Native 11.4.0 and higher

New funds eligible - Video Sharing (PROD)

GB Donation Upsell audience 

Auto Thanks V3 Rollout Audience

Thank you V3 testing whitelist

isRecurringFriendly

Is Recurring Friendly

Excluded funds - Video Sharing

Logged In Users

CH Donation Upsell audience

Android v10.6.0 and above

userCurrencyCode

Localized Currency

v11.5.0 and above

testAudience

pathname

Survicate

appVersion is at or above 12.8.0

Non-charity fund

isChallengeFundraiser

challenge-fundraisers

Payment Identity Launch Verification - Production

New funds eligible - Posters v2

CAD Donation Upsell Audience

Braze Email Tester

NPO Profile Opted-Out

iOS App Version

hasKnownDonors

PYMK has donors

iOS v12.3.0 and above

Justice for TJ & A Step Ahead Daycare

Still $92,639 to go. Help us build momentum.