A place to feel understood. Room to learn differently. A community to belong to.

That’s what I’m creating with The Calico Classroom in southeast Nebraska, and I would love your help opening its doors.

I’m Abby Eastep, a mom and special education teacher with seven years of experience. I’ve seen how much intentional instruction, meaningful relationships, and individualized support can matter to a child and their family.

My goal is to open Calico in January 2027 , offering adaptable, small-group instruction and homeschool support.

We’re raising $20,000 to help prepare a learning space, purchase essential materials, and make participation more affordable for local families.

Different ways to learn. High expectations for every child.

Calico’s approach is adaptive, intentional, student and family centered, progressive, and goal driven.

Children need different ways to take in information, process what they’re learning, and show what they know. Our role is to understand those needs and create meaningful routes toward their goals.

We don’t lower expectations. We help children meet them in their own way.

That may mean presenting information differently, adjusting the pace, allowing more processing time, providing communication supports, or offering another way to respond. A child might demonstrate understanding through speech, a communication device, pictures, writing, or actions.

We build from each child’s strengths while continuing to challenge them, monitor progress, and adapt instruction to support their next steps.

Our primary focus is supporting children with disabilities and more complex learning needs, including autism, Down syndrome, developmental disabilities, and physical disabilities.

Children do not need a diagnosis to belong here. Calico also welcomes learners who could benefit from a smaller, more individualized setting.

Learning alongside people with different abilities and experiences gives children opportunities to recognize one another’s strengths, practice kindness, and discover the many ways someone can contribute.

I want children to walk through the door knowing someone is glad they’re there, and families to know their experiences and hopes matter.

Bridging the gap between school and home

Families are partners in the learning process. Together, we can identify meaningful goals and connect instruction to the skills and experiences that matter in each child’s everyday life.

My vision reaches beyond an education studio. I want Calico to become an intentional place for families to connect , whether they are seeking learning support, shared resources, friendships, or people who understand their experiences.

There are so many possibilities for what Calico could become. Families’ voices will help shape which opportunities we build first, guided by what our community needs and what we can thoughtfully sustain.

A future vision: Calico Companions

As Calico grows, one of my hopes is to develop Calico Companions: paid, supported opportunities for adults with disabilities, including people who once stood in our younger learners’ shoes.

These team members could help prepare materials, set up and clean up the studio, and encourage learners alongside the educator. Their work would make a meaningful contribution to the classroom.

For a child, getting to know an adult who shares some of their experiences can be powerful. Our learners deserve opportunities to see people like themselves working, contributing, and becoming someone others look up to.

Companions would bring their own strengths and goals, with responsibilities and support shaped around each person. My hope is to create opportunities to earn income, build workplace relationships, and develop practical job and life skills for people who have struggled to find an accessible, welcoming place in the workforce.

Calico Companions is a future expansion , dependent on additional planning, funding, and appropriate supports. This initial fundraiser focuses on opening the studio and helping families access its first offerings.

Helping families access support

Finding the right support can bring hope. Paying for it can bring another worry.

Families are already balancing groceries, housing, childcare, therapies, appointments, and transportation. Even when a program feels like a good fit, there may be little room for another expense.

Our largest planned use of these funds is tuition assistance. That support could give families some breathing room and children an opportunity they might otherwise miss.

Behind the scenes, I’m building community partnerships, exploring grants, seeking business sponsors, and working to find a suitable space. This fundraiser is one part of making Calico possible and easing the cost for participating families.

Where your contribution will go

Here is our proposed plan for the $20,000 goal :

• $8,000 · Tuition assistance · 40%
  Helping reduce participating families’ tuition costs. Tuition supports my work as Calico’s educator, including instruction, individualized planning, preparation, and family communication. Assistance pays for that work on a family’s behalf.
• $3,000 · Facility and startup expenses · 15%
  Helping cover a lease security deposit, initial rent, utility deposits, and necessary setup.
• $2,000 · Essential operations · 10%
  Supporting ongoing rent after the initial startup period, utilities, insurance, and basic administration.
• $2,000 · Classroom furniture · 10%
  Providing tables, chairs, storage, and adaptable seating.
• $2,000 · Learning supplies · 10%
  Providing books, instructional materials, manipulatives, art supplies, and classroom essentials.
• $2,000 · Supportive tools and technology · 10%
  Providing visual supports, sensory tools, adaptive materials, and technology that helps children communicate and access learning.
• $1,000 · Safety and fundraising expenses · 5%
  Helping cover first-aid supplies, appropriate safety equipment, payment-processing fees, and unexpected launch costs.

These amounts reflect our plan if the full goal is raised. Allocations may change as we confirm a space, actual costs, and students’ needs. I’ll share updates about spending and significant changes.

Thoughtfully built, with families

I want Calico to be shaped by the families it serves.

Families’ insights about communication, sensory needs, movement, and meaningful participation will help guide the program. Accessibility will be part of planning from the beginning, including entrances, bathroom access, room for mobility devices, supportive seating, and accessible materials.

My long-term hope is for Calico to become a nonprofit, expand tuition assistance, and eventually offer tuition-free participation as dependable funding allows.

Where we are today

Calico is still in development. January 2027 is our target opening , dependent on securing a suitable space, sufficient funding, and necessary approvals.

The amount raised will help determine the size of our first offering and the tuition assistance available. This initial goal will help us launch; it will not cover a full year of free tuition.

If opening is delayed or plans change significantly, I’ll keep supporters informed. If the launch cannot proceed, I’ll explain the next steps before any remaining funds are used for a different purpose.

Help open Calico’s doors

If this vision speaks to you, there are several ways to help:

• Contribute toward our launch and tuition assistance.
• Share this fundraiser with someone who might connect with Calico’s mission.
• Connect us with a business sponsor, community partner, or suitable learning space.
• Offer furniture, supplies, or equipment. Please contact us before purchasing or donating items so we can confirm they fit the space and children’s needs.

Thank you for helping create a place where children can work toward meaningful goals, families can find connection, and people of different abilities can see a future that includes them.

Abby Eastep
Founder, The Calico Classroom
Celebrating Every Pattern of Learning

Contribution information: Calico is currently a privately owned developing program, not a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Contributions to this fundraiser are not tax-deductible charitable donations.