We are grateful to Martin Marietta for the generous investment in StepUp Ministry! As the presenting sponsor of IMPACT Week, Martin Marietta is helping us share our story with the community and raise the funds to teach life skills and connect adults with jobs. 

 “Our company’s mission is to provide the foundation upon which communities can grow and improve,” says Craig LaTorre, Chief Human Resources Officer at Martin Marietta. “As such, we are incredibly proud to support organizations like StepUp, whose employment and life skills training programs help adults and children grow and build stability for generations to come.”

An interview with Melinda Taylor, Founder and Executive Director of BLOOMHERE

I’m excited to introduce the people and the stories behind StepUp. I’ve been chatting with board members, partners, participants and volunteers about their involvement in StepUp and have quickly learned that no matter what capacity it is that people come to StepUp, they walk away transformed. – Chelsea Thomas, Marketing and Communications Coordinator, StepUp Ministry

Melinda: I’m Melinda and I’m the founder and Executive Director of BLOOMHERE. I started BLOOMHERE in June of 2018 and we opened our first house last year in August.

Can you provide more background on your motivation behind starting BLOOMHERE?

Melinda: We provide housing, health care and a community for women survivors of abuse, addiction, trafficking, and it's all at no cost to the residents. So, what we're doing is helping hold space for these women to heal and restore themselves. By giving them rent, dental and mental free, it truly is helpful for someone to holistically heal. And then, while they're in the house, we also have a justice enterprise, which is BLOOMHERE body oils, where the women make body oils and get paid a fair wage at $15 an hour.

What prompted you to come up with the concept for BLOOMHERE?

Melinda: When I turned 38, I discovered that there was some childhood trauma that I had experienced. During that time, I was in Raleigh, and I got to go to the best therapist, I got to go to yoga, I got to buy new clothes, I got to get my hair done, I got to go home every day to a nice house and sleep and do all the things that you need to heal and recover when something traumatic has happened to you. So, I started to really think “How do women that don't have the means heal?” And I really started diving into what Raleigh has to offer women.

That’s an important question to ask– what does it look like for people who don't have access to all those opportunities and what does it looks like for that to change?

Melinda: We have the abundance to provide people the opportunity to heal and thrive, but collectively, I can't do this on my own. I mean, we have incredible donors who have been with us since 2018, we got to hire this year, one of my friends was like, “Oh, I have a townhome that I'll let you rent.” So BLOOMHERE wouldn’t be without the community of all these incredible people. And I think now more than ever with COVID … we’ve got to give people a fighting chance.

How do partnerships with other nonprofits in the community help to support your work?

Melinda: StepUp, Angus Barn and Wake Tech are our three biggest partners that we use… and we have a great volunteer crew. They do so much for us. The biggest nonprofit that we partner with is StepUp, which we love, because StepUp offers so much of the life skills programming, which is what we needed. One of the things we were going to provide was life skills classes, but once we found out about StepUp, I was like, “Oh, why would we do that when someone's been doing it for plus amount of years. Let's go here.” Once talking to Linda, I knew immediately that this would be the program that we'll continue to use for the duration of our program.

Nonprofits have a really unique role in communities where they have opportunities to have differentiated missions, collaborative partnerships and the ability to address the bigger systems at play. What does that look like to you?

Melinda: I feel like for us, we work together by sharing resources and best practices. And by educating our local leaders on what the community needs. We're ground level and we know exactly what's going on. I love to share information, I feel that that's the only way we're going to be able to grow. One of the largest nonprofits in Nashville, Tennessee gave me their whole entire handbook, which literally allowed us to up our game. I was able to help women survive two years beforehand by someone saying, “Hey, we've done this for 20 years, here's the playbook.” If we're all riding the same bus together, the more we help each other move in the same direction, the better off we would be.

What is the biggest lesson BLOOMHERE has learned in the past year?

Melinda: To trust truly, to hold onto our mission and to trust that our community will hold us up. And to not live in a place of fear. The community has our back.

Visit the BLOOMHERE website to learn more: https://www.bloom-here.org/

Our community partners make our work extra fun! This month we spent a morning with A Place at the Table, a pay-what-you-can cafe located in downtown Raleigh, for a StepUp day. Participants and families from all of our programs along with staff and board members were able to swing by the restaurant to grab delicious and socially distanced to-go meals.

“We had such an amazing time working with A Place at the Table last Wednesday! Maggie and her team made it so easy to provide meals to go safely to so many of our families, even in the pouring rain. We are so thankful for their partnership, and willingness to work with us even during a pandemic.”- Ashton Herbert, Children's Program Coordinator

ChildTrust Foundation, , recently awarded a significant grant to StepUp Ministry’s Children’s Program. Their support helps StepUp provide high-quality programs to build school success. “The current crisis has only intensified our commitment to stand in solidarity with children and families in North Carolina,” said Cyndi Soter-O’Neil, policy advisor for ChildTrust Foundation. 

“We are extremely grateful to ChildTrust for their continued commitment,” stated Colisha Stanford, StepUp’s Director of Children’s and Young Adults Programs. “Their investment is at a critical time when our staff is providing virtual group programs and one-on-one support for children and their parents.”

“Our staff teaches parents using the evidence-based Positive Parenting Program,” Stanford added. “Parenting support is even more important during social distancing, and our staff continues to guide parents during this challenging time.” 

When group activities can resume, ChildTrust’s support will help provide arts, etiquette, and literary opportunities for children whose parents are in the Life Skills program and the young adults participating in the Real World program.

First National Bank employees pictured above help paint StepUp Ministry’s new GG’s Closet space on January 24, 2019. This clothing closet allows job seekers to get interview clothing.

At StepUp Ministry, we enjoy working with a broad group of corporate, government and individual partners who help support and enable us to provide guidance and new opportunities for those looking to change and improve their life. Taking the initiative to transform one’s life is no small task and usually filled with many obstacles and challenges. Ensuring we have the right people and resources in place greatly helps our participants, giving them the courage and determination to move forward and succeed. 

First National Bank employees pictured above help bring in donated presents to StepUp’s Christmas party held on December 20, 2018, at our Alumni Program.

We have a lot more work ahead of us, but it is important that we celebrate all we have accomplished and thank members of the Raleigh community who have generously supported our mission. StepUp’s 30th Anniversary Gala event on January 26, 2019, will be a special time for everyone to come together, exchange stories and learn about the courage it takes to reach your goals and build a better life. The presenting sponsor for the gala, First National Bank (FNB), shares our mission of providing new, life altering opportunities for adults, children and teenagers living in Wake County.

FNB has maintained a commitment to improving the quality of life in the communities it serves since 1864. Built on a culture of giving back, employees remain active in their local communities through volunteerism, board service and fundraisers. FNB also gives back through financial support, partnering with local organizations throughout their footprint to address the needs of the community and make an impact where it matters most. 

First National Bank employees pictured above help move into StepUp Ministry’s new GG’s Closet space on January 24, 2019. This clothing closet allows job seekers to get interview clothing.

Working with partners such as FNB helps raise greater awareness and visibility around many of the difficult issues people face. It also provides us with another resource channel to aid our participants in their journey to greater stability and career success. FNB offers a wide range of community development programs designed to strengthen local communities, including Home Ownership and Home Rehabilitation Programs, financial education workshops, Educational Improvement Tax Credits and more. Partnering with others to change lives is critical to our success and we appreciate what organizations like First National Bank have done to help us make a difference and continue making a difference. 

More information about StepUp Ministry’s 30th Anniversary including ticket details can be found at www.stepupministry.org/30th.  

Community partnerships help StepUp to broaden our base and serve persons in additional outlets.  The Employment program has “spread our wings” over the course of the past year and held workshop weeks at the Salvation Army, the Wake County Human Services complex, in Wake Forest, and at Dorcas Ministries in Cary, NC.  We are excited to increase the footprint of the program and look to explore additional resource partnerships and locations as we enter the new calendar year.  Contact the Employment Team Lead, Dennis A. Jarmon, for more information about how your organization/you can help!

This photo is from the StepUp Employment Week Workshop held at Dorcas Ministries in November.

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Johanna Catedral-Arias is a native of Puerto Rico. When she came to StepUp she was seeking an opportunity to improve her life by making necessary changes that would positively impact her family. She is a mother to three wonderful boys Ramsesses, Hector and Zahid.

Johanna began her journey with StepUp on November 13, 2017, where she completed the Employment Workshop. She is currently enrolled in Phase IV of the Life Skills program. Since her involvement with StepUp, she has gained full-time employment with the Hyatt House at North Hills, moved into her own two-bedroom apartment, and was able to secure furnishing with the Green Chair Project.

We are so proud of all of Johanna’s accomplishments and can’t wait to see where her journey will lead.

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This past Thursday, we had another great field trip with our children’s team! We had almost twenty kids currently in the program and from Alumni join us for an all-day outing to Durham. We started our day by visiting the Diaper Bank of North Carolina. There, we got to see how the diapers that are donated to our families are packaged, sorted, and delivered. We even got to join in and help out with packaging boxes and boxes of diapers. It was all hands on deck, and everyone joined in with a little competition to see who could get through their stack the fastest! We can’t thank the Diaper Bank enough for showing us how the warehouse works, and for letting our kids jump in and help. We appreciate all that you do for us, and are so thankful for the support you give our families through diapers and wipes.

We refueled our energy with lunch, and headed for our afternoon at Hope Reins. Hope Reins is a wonderful equine facility that serves children and families in Wake County and surrounding areas that need support and comfort during difficult times. They have partnered with StepUp for over 5 years now to host us for an afternoon of fun each summer. The kids got to learn about the horses, go fishing, play games, and enjoy snow cones. Thank you, Hope Reins, for having us. We had a lot of happy but tired kids at the end of the day!

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At StepUp, we depend on our community partners, because we know that we can’t do it all on our own. One of StepUp’s oldest community partners is the Downtown Housing Improvement Corporation (DHIC). 

Katrina Lyons, a participant turned co-partner turned board member, sits in front of her very first apartment, which she was able to get with the help of DHIC. She is now a home owner!

Their mission is to support individuals, families, and seniors by providing homes and opportunities that promote the financial, physical, and mental well-being of people and communities. According to DHIC, “a home is a catalyst for opportunity, independence, and resilience.” 

We know that stable housing is key to the success of our Life Skills participants. Even as they are working in their job, learning how to budget, and making smart financial decisions, our participants are still left looking for stable, safe, affordable housing. 

Some individuals, like James Ivy, are ready for prepare for home ownership, while others may prefer to rent. James said, “I feel so blessed that my wife and I are now well informed and able to purchase a home. We will finally have a place to call home…it’s ours.” Our partnership with DHIC allows them to do whichever is best for their personal needs. 

Katrina Lyons has been working with DHIC since they helped her get her first apartment. She has continued to work hard and has now been able to purchase her own home for the first time. She said, “I am living proof that with hard-work and dedication, you can achieve anything you want, but sometimes you may need a little help and encouragement along the way. DHIC took a chance on me, when no one would. I will forever be grateful to DHIC for helping me become self-sufficient and resilient.”

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Share the Pie, a joint fundraiser with Alliance Medical Ministry, aims to create stable families through access to employment and healthcare. We are back this year, and we need people to sell pie. 

Would you like to get involved in this mission? It's simple. We will just ask you to sell 20 pies to your friends, coworkers, etc. You will be eligible for incentives along the way, and most of all, you will be joining in our mission of creating stable families this Thanksgiving.

Please contact Lydia Pickard (lpickard@stepupministry.org or 919-781-0156 ext. 122) if you are interested!

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In its beginning stages, StepUp Ministry worked to assist homeless individuals in obtaining housing. Eventually, the organization grew to include an employment program and life skills training. This was done to give a safe space for people to change more than just a difficult situation, they could change their entire life.

Community means different things to different people. But the underlying message is working together with the common goal of everyone growing, rising and thriving together. The Jobs Team at StepUp Ministry has been fortunate in partnering with different agencies in the community to provide job training to the unemployed residents of Wake County.

The Salvation Army is one of those agencies, and we have been fortunate to work alongside them over the years. This month they hosted the Employment Week Workshop at their facility located  near downtown Raleigh. We are grateful for their partnership and support!

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The Rachael Ray Show gave us a big surprise last week, sending us two huge boxes full of interview clothes for our men and women in employment week! Check out the video here. Do you have any clothes to donate?

GG's Closet accepts ONLY men's business attire including suits, blazers, dress pants, shirts, dress shoes, ties and belts. We are especially in need of sizes 38-39, and sizes 50 and over. 

To donate, please bring all clothing on hangers to the StepUp Ministry Office. 

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At this time, we cannot accept donations to GG's Closet while we get organized in our new space. However, when donations resume, we will need all clothes to be on hangers, no trash bags will be accepted. Here are the items we will be able to accept: 

• Suits
• Sports coats
• White or blue button down shirts
• Dress slacks
• Business shoes
• Belts and Ties

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The space we have been using for G.G.'s Closet is no longer available, but we want to be able to continue offering this service to our participants. Since G.G.’s Closet opened, all the men who have attended StepUp’s Employment Week have been outfitted with interview suits, shirts, ties and shoes, helping build their confidence and prepare them for a successful interview.

As we search for a new space, we will be temporarily suspending donations, but please continue to keep us in mind for future donations. Most importantly, if you know of a space that we could use, please let us know! We are looking for a 2,400 sq. ft. space anywhere in Raleigh. 

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StepUp Ministry Advocate and former StepUp Board Chair Ashley Huffstetler Campbell is impacting lives in the Triangle. Today, she helps open the doors of the Campbell Law Clinic. Eight Campbell law students, overseen by the clinic’s director, will work in the clinic, which will take referrals from area nonprofit agencies – Raleigh Rescue Mission, Urban Ministries of Wake County and StepUp Ministry.

 “What I think is so great about this concept is they are already working with folks who are trying to move out of poverty and improve their own lives and the lives of their children,” Campbell said. “A lot of times they encounter legal issues that are barriers to making that progress. I see us as playing a really important role in helping remove a barrier to success.”

Thank you Ashley and the Campbell Law Clinic for your dedication.

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