Joni’s House Provides Free Afterschool Program for People with Disabilities

By Joni and Friends|Published On: June 24, 2026|Categories: Joni's House USA, Press Release|

Four people in a music room: a man playing percussion, a man playing guitar, a woman at a keyboard, and another woman supervising.

When Shirley McCain’s mother passed away in 1998, her dying wish was that a family member would promise to care for her grandson, James. She had adopted James as a baby when her youngest daughter was no longer able to care for him.

With three children of their own, Shirley and her husband, Roy, made and kept that promise to her mother and brought her nephew into her home. Shirley and Roy spent the following decades nurturing and doting on James, who by the age of three had been diagnosed with epilepsy and intellectual disabilities and was not expected to live beyond the age of three. He was also nonverbal, prone to tantrums, and struggled to be around other children. Because he was vulnerable, Shirley never left him with babysitters. But over time James grew into himself, attending church and school as he developed a kind and gentle personality. Now in his 30s, James is a delight as he helps his elderly aunt and uncle around the house. He still needs round-the-clock supervision, but he also brings in groceries, takes out the trash, and cares for the family’s pets. Shirley says James has become a profound help as she and her husband have aged.

“We thought we were giving up our lives to care for this child with a disability,” Shirley says. “But now he’s caring for us.”

But no family living with disabilities can do it alone. For all the assistance that James provides, the McCains still need a helping hand to keep him safe and engaged while they attend medical appointments at the VA hospital for Mr. McCain’s many health issues. In fact, respite care is the number one need for families living with disabilities, particularly so caregivers can care for themselves, according to research from the National Institutes of Health. But at 31 years old, James has aged out of all school and government programs. And when the world shut down for the Covid pandemic, James became more isolated and less verbal.

That’s when the McCains found Joni’s House-East St. Louis.

Joni’s House-East St. Louis is a Christian, no-cost day and afterschool program for individuals living with disability. The day program is designed for adults so their caregivers can take time to run errands, attend school, or work a part-time job. The afterschool program is designed for school-age children so parents and guardians can finish work or care for themselves and other family members. Joni’s House also offers caregiver support groups and spiritual resources to address challenges like burnout and social isolation.

Woman shows a colorful picture book to a man at a round table indoors.

When James first came to Joni’s House a year ago, he was timid and shy. Now that he’s attended four days a week for the past 12 months, James has rediscovered the gift of gab while at Joni’s House, home, and church.

“James has developed so much since he’s been in Joni’s House. He’s talking more and developing skills,” Shirley says. “It has been a godsend.”

Meeting Critical Needs

Joni’s House-East St. Louis is an outreach of the international disability nonprofit Joni and Friends that meets the critical needs of people with disabilities through wholesome programming underpinned by the Gospel message. While Joni and Friends operate Joni’s House programs in over a dozen countries to meet the social, spiritual, and economic needs of people with disabilities, Joni’s House-East St. Louis is the first domestic location, chosen because the city’s disability rates are twice the national average. And, as the City of Champions, it is worthy of investment as a place of deep character and future promise.

In addition to trained staff, Joni’s House features amenities like a custom sensory room proudly provided by generous partners at Synapsory, a faith-based nonprofit specializing in sensory rooms and calming kits for churches, schools, and families.

Joni’s House allows caregivers like Shirley and Roy to enjoy peace of mind amid the demands of 24/7 caregiving.

“I’ve never been comfortable leaving James just anywhere,” says Shriley. “The fact that Joni’s House is spiritually based is huge for me. James feels safe, he has structure, and he is excited to come.”

A woman prepares a sandwich in a kitchen while a man stands beside her and another woman is in the background.

The stress of finding qualified caregivers is a reality Bridney Henderson knows well, too. Her 11-year-old son, Nehemiah, lives with layered disabilities. Bridney’s 16-year-old son also lives with disability, leaving Bridney with heavy caregiving responsibilities. Nehemiah started attending Joni’s House after other childcare programs couldn’t meet his needs.

Marshaling resources to care for Nehemiah has been a challenge, especially as Bridney must consider his brother with his own set of significant needs. But Joni’s House removes roadblocks to care by allowing Nehemiah to be the best version of himself in a safe and accepting space that allows stimming and self-soothing behaviors without judgment.

“As parents, we want our kids to be okay, and we want our kids to fit in. We want our children to be loved. We want them to make friends. When you have a child who has challenges, it’s a relief when he has a place to go where he’s accepted,” Bridney says. “Nehemiah can just be himself when he’s here. There’s no limitation for him.”

Nehemiah is a visual learner, so instead of verbal cues, Joni’s House staff uses visual boards to help him with his tasks and executive functioning. Using this method, Nehemiah is learning independent skills like grooming, laundry, and personal care.

“The world just seems so big for Nehemiah, so they help him tone it down a little bit, and make it not feel so overwhelming,” says Bridney. “Joni’s House is not a program. It’s a family.”

Championing the City of Champions

Lansdowne UP is a redevelopment nonprofit that is revitalizing East St. Louis one property at a time. Now one of the city’s largest private landowners, Lansdowne UP donated the land along the Mississippi River to build Joni’s House with the St. Louis Arch in full view. City leadership has also been supportive, with particular assistance coming from officials like City Manager Robert Betts.

Faith leaders have also endorsed the effort.

Elder Leroy Lattin, who has known James since he came to live with his grandmother, described him as “a grown man with a childlike persona” who hungers to please the Lord. When Leroy first met him, James was quiet and timid. Now he has come out of his shell so much he recently accepted a new role as a congregational usher, welcoming worshippers each Sunday with a bright smile.

“Joni’s House isn’t just about James being served,” says Leroy. “It’s also an opportunity for him to serve others through his kind nature. James is a young man that is on fire for the Lord. He is a spark. When the preacher is preaching, he’s the biggest amen and hallelujah. He’s not a spectator. He’s a participant.”

CeCe McCoo, director of Joni’s House, has guided the program from its inception. Crews broke ground on the new building in the summer of 2024, and Joni’s House offered programming out of a temporary location until it moved into its permanent location earlier this year.

Now that the new location is up and running, CeCe is inviting families across the greater East St. Louis and St. Louis areas to seek respite and spiritual care at Joni’s House.

“Caregivers need a break. Joni’s House allows weary family members and guardians to have a moment to themselves,” says CeCe. “And we are blessed to provide a safe and fun place of respite in the name of Jesus. Disability can be isolating, but faith builds bridges.”

Exterior of a brick office building and a "Joni's House" sign beneath a clear blue sky.

Shirley says that when people realize James has a disability, some shy away. But there are others, like the staff and volunteers at Joni’s House, who show extra care, and “that compassion really makes a difference.”

Nearly 30 years after adopting James, and after the uncertainty that came with a special needs child has dissipated, Shirley sees that James was never a burden.

“Sometimes you don’t know why things happen, but they say you’ll understand it in the by and by,” says Shirley. “Now that time has passed, I can see. We were a blessing to James then. But he is truly a blessing to us now.”

About Joni and Friends : For more than 45 years, Joni and Friends has provided the hope of the Gospel and practical care to people living with disability across the globe. Ministry programs include Joni’s House, Wheels for the World, Retreats & Getaways, and disability ministry training. Joni and Friends also delivers daily inspirational media through radio programs and podcasts. To find out more, please visit www.joniandfriends.org. 