Help Emilee Casey go to College!
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Help Emilee Casey go to college!
In a Nut Shell
Emilee Casey, our 32-year-old special needs daughter, has the opportunity to attend a two-year post-high school program called Barnabas Prep, in Branson, Missouri. Total cost for the first year (12 months) is $35,000, which is roughly $2,900 per month.
Many people have encouraged us to start this campaign and let them know how they can help. Our immediate goal for this campaign is $10,000. Any amount will be appreciated!
Meet Emilee
Our daughter, Emilee Casey, has been a precious part of our family ever since her birth on New Year’s Eve, 1987. Early on, the doctors noticed some developmental delays in rolling over, sitting up, crawling, standing, walking, talking, and did test after test to see if they could find a reason. Well, they never were able to pinpoint a cause, but Emilee tested pretty low in several areas and has been in Special Ed all her school years. She has really shined in some areas: she’s a great reader, and can spell spelling bee words like soliterraneous, pterodactyl and pulchritude! She’s also been very sociable all her life, as many of you who know her can attest. She remembers names and faces and movie lines. We have been super pleased with her special ed teachers and government programs that have been such a help in her development over the years. She’s been engaged and active in our church’s Disabilities Ministry “Thru the Roof” <https://www.facebook.com/groups/233925573331147> where she has found loving acceptance, great friends, and a community who “gets her”. And she loves Camp Barnabas! <http://campbarnabas.org/> Her favorite week of the year for more than half her life has been this precious summer camp program for young people with disabilities. She hasn’t missed a summer (until Covid cancelled the 2020 season!) since she started attending when she was in her early teens, and has also been part of their Spring and Fall “Barn-a-Break” weekend getaways whenever possible.
Emilee has always lived in our home, participated in all our church, social, family and travel activities, and has been a real trooper at it. We travel a lot for the ministry we’re involved in <latm.info> and she has slept in many different beds, sofas, even floors in homes and motels and tents and campers over the years. She’s crossed the Mississippi so often it’s become a ho-hum experience. The Lord has truly blessed her, and blessed us through her, for her 32 years of life.
After High School…What’s next?
When Emilee graduated from Webb City High School in 2008, we looked into some employment opportunities and government programs, but nothing seemed to fit. When we heard that the Barnabas Foundation was beginning to offer a post-high school program called Barnabas Prep*, to help people like Emilee with independent living skills, we wondered if maybe this could be a possibility for her. <http://barnabasprep.org/> The cost of tuition is pretty high—and understandably so, since they give highly individualized attention to a small student body—and for many years we just dismissed the idea as beyond our means.
Could this really be a possibility?
In recent years, though, we are also facing the reality of our own aging. I’m 68 and my wife Susan is 70. We want to help Emilee to be as prepared for life on her own as possible. Also our financial situation was changing some to free up some funds. Slowly, it dawned on us that this dream might actually be doable. In February of this year (2020), we scheduled a campus visit. Emilee was a little apprehensive at first, but as we walked into the main office, her face lit up and she said, “Claire!” And Claire said, “Emilee! What are you doing here? Welcome to Prep!” Claire had recognized her from being with her in a past summer week at Camp Barnabas. Barnabas Prep’s Operations Manager Brock Shonkwiler gave us the tour and answered all our questions. Emilee got to meet some current students, walk through the dormitories, eat lunch in the school cafeteria and sit in on an afternoon Life Skills class. We asked if there were any openings for this Fall, and they said there were not at that time, but she would be #2 on a waiting list for the Fall of 2021. We took home the paperwork to fill out an application, sent it in, and waited.
Then on May 13th, we found out a place had opened up for her to attend this fall when we received this email:
Congratulations! It is my great pleasure to inform you that you have been accepted into the Barnabas Prep class of 2020. You will have the opportunity to join the program this fall, 2020!
We are excited to welcome you to Barnabas Prep, and for you to experience all that comes with being a Barnabas Prep student. We can’t wait for you to grow towards a more independent lifestyle, enjoy many more social experiences, and strengthen your relationship with Jesus Christ while at Barnabas Prep! Our staff is looking forward to the fall and cannot wait to see you thriving within the community of Barnabas Prep.
You can expect to receive the Enrollment Packet sent via e-mail from Admissions. This is the final paperwork needed prior to attending Barnabas Prep and is due no later than July 1st. Should you have any questions in regards to the paperwork, please let us know!
Fall of 2020 is right around the corner, and you are officially a part of it!
Congratulations!
Sincerely,
Barnabas Prep Admissions
It’s Really Happening!
We filled out the 27-page enrollment form, sent it in, and made the $2,000 down payment. The fall semester starts with first year student orientation on September 5th. That’s right around the corner! In the meantime, we are working through some preparations to get her ready for it. We got her hair cut short so she can wash it by herself and we’ve established some routines like morning and evening hygiene, daily chores around the house, exercise and Bible reading. We call it “Emilee’s prep for Barnabas Prep!” Emilee is super excited and can hardly wait for September 5th when we’ll drop her off in Branson and she will begin this next big phase of her life!
Financial details
Here’s the current situation and the reason why we are starting this GoFundMe campaign: Barnabas Prep is a two-year program. Year One is a full 12 months; Year Two is 9 months. The cost of Year One is $35,000. Year Two is $30,000. Between Emilee’s Social Security and our own savings, we can come up with roughly 2/3 of that amount. If we can raise the other 1/3 through this GoFundMe campaign, that would be great! Regarding Year One, if we can pay the entire year’s amount up-front (on Sept. 5), the cost is $32,500—which means we get a discount of $2,500! That’s enough motivation for me to try to see if we can come up with that amount between now and then. We have already paid a down payment of $2,000 toward the total. We also have set aside savings in the amount of about $20,500, praise the Lord!
So our immediate goal for this campaign is $10,000. Susan and I were reluctant to do this, but many people have encouraged us to start this campaign and let them know how they can help. Thanks for considering this. Any amount will be appreciated. Emilee will send you a personalized Thank You. We are so grateful to God and to you for your help!
*[SIDEBAR: Barnabas Prep is a two-year faith-based collegiate program based in Branson, Missouri designed specifically for students with special needs. It is an independent living-learning experience that helps young adults recognize their strengths and potential, and challenges them to grow into their best selves. Students come in not realizing what’s possible and leave with new skills, confidence, and an understanding of their full potential. Check out their website at http://barnabasprep.org/ ]
In a Nut Shell
Emilee Casey, our 32-year-old special needs daughter, has the opportunity to attend a two-year post-high school program called Barnabas Prep, in Branson, Missouri. Total cost for the first year (12 months) is $35,000, which is roughly $2,900 per month.
Many people have encouraged us to start this campaign and let them know how they can help. Our immediate goal for this campaign is $10,000. Any amount will be appreciated!
Meet Emilee
Our daughter, Emilee Casey, has been a precious part of our family ever since her birth on New Year’s Eve, 1987. Early on, the doctors noticed some developmental delays in rolling over, sitting up, crawling, standing, walking, talking, and did test after test to see if they could find a reason. Well, they never were able to pinpoint a cause, but Emilee tested pretty low in several areas and has been in Special Ed all her school years. She has really shined in some areas: she’s a great reader, and can spell spelling bee words like soliterraneous, pterodactyl and pulchritude! She’s also been very sociable all her life, as many of you who know her can attest. She remembers names and faces and movie lines. We have been super pleased with her special ed teachers and government programs that have been such a help in her development over the years. She’s been engaged and active in our church’s Disabilities Ministry “Thru the Roof” <https://www.facebook.com/groups/233925573331147> where she has found loving acceptance, great friends, and a community who “gets her”. And she loves Camp Barnabas! <http://campbarnabas.org/> Her favorite week of the year for more than half her life has been this precious summer camp program for young people with disabilities. She hasn’t missed a summer (until Covid cancelled the 2020 season!) since she started attending when she was in her early teens, and has also been part of their Spring and Fall “Barn-a-Break” weekend getaways whenever possible.Emilee has always lived in our home, participated in all our church, social, family and travel activities, and has been a real trooper at it. We travel a lot for the ministry we’re involved in <latm.info> and she has slept in many different beds, sofas, even floors in homes and motels and tents and campers over the years. She’s crossed the Mississippi so often it’s become a ho-hum experience. The Lord has truly blessed her, and blessed us through her, for her 32 years of life.
After High School…What’s next?
When Emilee graduated from Webb City High School in 2008, we looked into some employment opportunities and government programs, but nothing seemed to fit. When we heard that the Barnabas Foundation was beginning to offer a post-high school program called Barnabas Prep*, to help people like Emilee with independent living skills, we wondered if maybe this could be a possibility for her. <http://barnabasprep.org/> The cost of tuition is pretty high—and understandably so, since they give highly individualized attention to a small student body—and for many years we just dismissed the idea as beyond our means.Could this really be a possibility?
In recent years, though, we are also facing the reality of our own aging. I’m 68 and my wife Susan is 70. We want to help Emilee to be as prepared for life on her own as possible. Also our financial situation was changing some to free up some funds. Slowly, it dawned on us that this dream might actually be doable. In February of this year (2020), we scheduled a campus visit. Emilee was a little apprehensive at first, but as we walked into the main office, her face lit up and she said, “Claire!” And Claire said, “Emilee! What are you doing here? Welcome to Prep!” Claire had recognized her from being with her in a past summer week at Camp Barnabas. Barnabas Prep’s Operations Manager Brock Shonkwiler gave us the tour and answered all our questions. Emilee got to meet some current students, walk through the dormitories, eat lunch in the school cafeteria and sit in on an afternoon Life Skills class. We asked if there were any openings for this Fall, and they said there were not at that time, but she would be #2 on a waiting list for the Fall of 2021. We took home the paperwork to fill out an application, sent it in, and waited.
Then on May 13th, we found out a place had opened up for her to attend this fall when we received this email:
Congratulations! It is my great pleasure to inform you that you have been accepted into the Barnabas Prep class of 2020. You will have the opportunity to join the program this fall, 2020!
We are excited to welcome you to Barnabas Prep, and for you to experience all that comes with being a Barnabas Prep student. We can’t wait for you to grow towards a more independent lifestyle, enjoy many more social experiences, and strengthen your relationship with Jesus Christ while at Barnabas Prep! Our staff is looking forward to the fall and cannot wait to see you thriving within the community of Barnabas Prep.
You can expect to receive the Enrollment Packet sent via e-mail from Admissions. This is the final paperwork needed prior to attending Barnabas Prep and is due no later than July 1st. Should you have any questions in regards to the paperwork, please let us know!
Fall of 2020 is right around the corner, and you are officially a part of it!
Congratulations!
Sincerely,
Barnabas Prep Admissions
It’s Really Happening!
We filled out the 27-page enrollment form, sent it in, and made the $2,000 down payment. The fall semester starts with first year student orientation on September 5th. That’s right around the corner! In the meantime, we are working through some preparations to get her ready for it. We got her hair cut short so she can wash it by herself and we’ve established some routines like morning and evening hygiene, daily chores around the house, exercise and Bible reading. We call it “Emilee’s prep for Barnabas Prep!” Emilee is super excited and can hardly wait for September 5th when we’ll drop her off in Branson and she will begin this next big phase of her life!
Financial details
Here’s the current situation and the reason why we are starting this GoFundMe campaign: Barnabas Prep is a two-year program. Year One is a full 12 months; Year Two is 9 months. The cost of Year One is $35,000. Year Two is $30,000. Between Emilee’s Social Security and our own savings, we can come up with roughly 2/3 of that amount. If we can raise the other 1/3 through this GoFundMe campaign, that would be great! Regarding Year One, if we can pay the entire year’s amount up-front (on Sept. 5), the cost is $32,500—which means we get a discount of $2,500! That’s enough motivation for me to try to see if we can come up with that amount between now and then. We have already paid a down payment of $2,000 toward the total. We also have set aside savings in the amount of about $20,500, praise the Lord!
So our immediate goal for this campaign is $10,000. Susan and I were reluctant to do this, but many people have encouraged us to start this campaign and let them know how they can help. Thanks for considering this. Any amount will be appreciated. Emilee will send you a personalized Thank You. We are so grateful to God and to you for your help!
*[SIDEBAR: Barnabas Prep is a two-year faith-based collegiate program based in Branson, Missouri designed specifically for students with special needs. It is an independent living-learning experience that helps young adults recognize their strengths and potential, and challenges them to grow into their best selves. Students come in not realizing what’s possible and leave with new skills, confidence, and an understanding of their full potential. Check out their website at http://barnabasprep.org/ ]
Organizer and beneficiary
Susan Casey
Organizer
Joplin, MO
Brock Shonkwiler
Beneficiary