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Big news from the development team! We are thrilled to share that the Women’s Giving Network of Wake County recently awarded StepUp $40,000 to support women and children seeking employment and life skills. Elaine Bryant-Donigan, one of StepUp’s adult case managers, accepted the award at WGN’s annual Impact Luncheon on November 7.

“After being broken, disheartened and ship-wrecked, StepUp became a haven for me to find my footing and my voice. Now as a case manager, I can transparently share my story to help others find hope, healing, and stability,” Elaine shared as she thanked the group for their support.

“Our membership was most impressed with the impact StepUp Ministry is making in the lives of people here in Wake County,” said Donna Anderson, chair of the Women’s Giving Network grants committee. “We look forward to a close relationship as the impact of this grant award is felt among the community.”

The Women’s Giving Network of Wake County is a giving circle of the North Carolina Community Foundation, which leverages the power of collective giving through a local network that purposefully supports the community. The Network annually supports several charitable organizations serving women, children, and families in Wake County.

We are grateful for the generous support from this caring group of women and look forward to deepening our relationship with them as we change lives in the community.

“Stepping up” is in our DNA. StepUp Ministry encompasses a long line of leaders, employers, donors, and volunteers, as well as incredible staff members, who have faith that with opportunity and resources, families can thrive.

StepUp Ministry is blessed to be a part of a community that believes in people and supports families transforming their lives through employment and life skills training. To this community, we want to say THANK YOU and create an opportunity to engage in conversations that exchange ideas and answer questions.  

If you are interested in becoming a part of the We StepUp community of supporters, we would be honored to meet, talk, or share ideas. 

To join the We StepUp community, please contact Nancy Bromhal.

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We are grateful for Wells Fargo’s longtime partnership! The Wells Fargo Foundation recently announced a $25,000 commitment to help StepUp continue delivering Employment and Life Skills Training for adults in Wake County.

 “Wells Fargo is proud to support StepUp’s commitment to the community. Through StepUp, individuals gain employment and stability, and the guidance to reach long term goals such as a college degree or homeownership,” says Suzie Koonce, community relations senior consultant at Wells Fargo.

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.  

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Bill Wenner has been volunteering for 20 years. A year ago, his company, Wells Fargo, moved Bill to Raleigh to oversee their auto division.  

In the single year that Bill has lived in Raleigh, he has spent 120 hours volunteering at 10 non-profit organizations in the Triangle. 

StepUp has long received generous support from Wells Fargo. This year, Bill sat on the Wells Fargo committee that reviewed StepUp’s grant application. 

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Bill was intrigued with StepUp’s work and reached out to see how he could get involved. Today, Bill is a co-partner in StepUp’s Life Skills program. In this role, Bill works one on one with a mentee and helps him budget, set goals, and plan for the future. Additionally, Bill will be supporting the We Step Up campaign beginning in September 2018.

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In his leadership role, he also encourages his 500 employees to get out and volunteer! His team alone has volunteered over 1,000 hours since opening in Raleigh in April 2017.

When asked why he volunteers, Bill sees it as a mental reset, “You can’t have a bad day when you help and think about someone else.” 

Interested in joining Bill as a StepUp volunteer? We need you! Email volunteer@stepupministry.org to learn more.

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StepUp's Annual Impact Luncheon, presented by Martin Marietta, will be held Monday. We are grateful for Martin Marietta's support, as we create a space for 300 new community members to hear about StepUp.

Their generous gift of $25,000 will help StepUp put numerous people in jobs and get transformational life skills training. We are so very grateful.

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Did you know that you can leave a legacy at StepUp by including us in your will? Anna White Hosea, a StepUp board member and community leader, recently decided to make a lasting impact on StepUp. Here is what she had to say about her decision:

"I recently named StepUp as a beneficiary of my IRA.  Making philanthropy a part of my estate planning, while also making provisions for our children and each other, is something that my husband and I think is very important. I feel good about supporting an organization that I love, and it also makes good financial sense for me and my family. This is a gift that costs me nothing during my lifetime, but will eventually benefit some future StepUp participant."

Have questions about including StepUp in your planned giving? Please contact Mary Allison Raper, Director of Development, at (919) 781-0156 ext. 125 or mraper@stepupministry.org.

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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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Four men stepped on the trail on Friday, May 19 with more than their hiking boots and backpacks. They stepped on the trail with a greater purpose, a mission to help people build lives of stability. Thanks to Craig Dunkley, Geoff Abell, Larry Kaminski, and Glyn Jones for choosing to make your 34 miles in just TWO days about more than yourselves. StepUp is grateful for the hard work and dedication of this team that raised almost $5,000!

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You’re invited to StepUp’s annual fundraising luncheon on June 5, 2017! The Impact Luncheon provides an opportunity for guests to learn how our process creates lasting change in the lives of more than 600 individuals each year. The event will start at 11:45 a.m. at White Memorial Presbyterian Church. Please RSVP to Lydia Pickard at lpickard@stepupministry.org if you would like to join us.

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Donate today to help the four men of #HikersStepUp reach their goal of raising $10,000 for StepUp Ministry. Craig Dunkley, Geoff Abell, Glyn Jones, and Larry Kaminski are passionate about hiking, but they are also passionate about giving people a second chance. As they hike 34 miles in just over two days, they will not be hiking for themselves. They will be hiking for the men and women StepUp serves, who are working hard to find jobs and stability. Donate now: www.stepupministry.org/hikersstepup. The hike is May 5-7, so make sure to follow their journey on social media using #HikersStepUp!

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“StepUp Ministry is a family that gives you the push you need to go forward in life. It provides the tools and lessons that you may not have gotten when you were younger. I get that warm happy feeling everything I think about StepUp.” - Danequa W.

As a single mother of three, Danequa came to StepUp looking for a support system that could provide encouragement, motivation, and guidance for herself and her three children – Serenity (16 months), Keymora (4), and Nehemiah (3).

Danequa is six months into the one-year Life Skills program. She is working with her co-partner to learn how to create a budget, and is involved with Triple P, which is helping her to learn strategies and different parenting styles to support her children.

Currently, she is driving a school bus for Durham Public Schools and is in the beginning stages of attaining her GED. Danequa is setting goals to become a Certified Nursing Assistant for home health.

As for her future…she would like to own her own home and be the best mom possible.

Your support will help Danequa and her children, along with other great families get a second chance. Please help us raise $50,000 by April 30.

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“There’s a lot to like about hiking and backpacking: Fresh air, awesome scenery, and a sense of accomplishment.  Then it hit me one day…When I go hiking, the only one who benefits from that is me…” -Craig Dunkley

In 2016, Raleigh backpacker, Craig Dunkley founded an annual hike to benefit StepUp Ministry.  He hiked the 30-mile Art Loeb Trail and raised more than $4,000 from family and friends to help StepUp.  This year, Craig is back, and he’s enlisted the help of three close friends.  Together, they hope to raise $10,000 for StepUp Ministry!  Please sponsor their hike—and StepUp Ministry.

For more information, or to donate, click here!

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Share the Pie was back for the second year, and it was a huge success! We sold over 1,000 pies, making $32,994 to help people find employment and access to quality healthcare services. Thanks to our 4 corporate sponsors, 60 bakers, 52 volunteers, and 497 pie buyers for your generosity in making this event a success!

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Giving Tuesday is a National Day of Giving that takes place every year after Black Friday and Cyber Monday to kick off the holiday season of giving. StepUp chose to get involved this year, and Martin Marietta agreed to give us $25,000 if we were able to get 100 gifts in just 7 days. We surpassed our goal, receiving 123 gifts. Thanks to each and every person who made the opportunity for stability a reality. 

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