Kaliah connected with StepUp in March 2021, as she was facing challenges to finding employment due to a history of justice involvement. She had reached a speed bump on her journey called life and needed support. Since then, she has worked diligently to change the narrative her past wrote for her and has used the “sandwich approach” from the Employment Training Workshop to share her story with potential employers.  

Through employment training, she sharpened her resume and interview skills and accessed community resources that have benefitted her family. Just a month after completing employment training, Kaliah landed a job with MVP staffing.  She loves her work schedule, which allows her to be flexible with the schedules of her three children (9, 8, and 4). Kaliah and her children hope to join Step2 Life Skills next. Since Kaliah reached out for support from StepUp, she feels like she can win her race. 

We wanted to kick off the year talking about our hopes for 2021 so we asked a few of our staff to share their visions for the upcoming months at StepUp Ministry.

Ashton Herbert, Children's Program Coordinator: 2020 was a year that most people want to forget for multiple reasons not needing explanation. However, during one of the toughest years in recent history, we learned a lot about the resilience of families and most surprisingly for me; the resilience of kids. I have been blown away during the past 9-10 months of the pandemic, when a lot of families could have easily dropped out of the program, they stayed on with us, and adjusted right along with the staff of StepUp. My hope for 2021 is that we can take that resilience and apply it to other aspects of our lives. I learned a lot about strength and flexibility watching these kids adjust and make the best of it; all while their world shut down and changed drastically. Wishing everyone health and a lot strength for 2021.

Maxine Terry, Alumni Program Coordinator:  By end of 2021, I want to have five Alumni enrolled in certification programs to ensure they are on track to earn wages worthy of their work experience and demonstrating their ability to support their family.  I'm committed to working closely with Alumni as they maintain a commitment to 2021 being their best year yet.

Toney Jefferys, Employment Recruiter: My hope for 2021 is that we continue to build on partnerships with employers that see the value that StepUp participants and Alumni have to offer. We are excited for more opportunities for participants in apprenticeships, career choices and greater individual support for job seekers.

“No one could have told me over 30 years ago that I could be a leader but now I can boldly declare that I hold a position of leadership over a group of individuals from various ages and backgrounds.”

Shareasa Dunn graduated from Step2/Life Skills in 2015. Five years later, her list of involvements and accomplishments only continues to grow from serving as Alumni Program Secretary and Treasurer in 2016 to speaking at StepUp Sunday at White Memorial Church to becoming Club President of StepUp Speakers’ Circle in 2020. 

“Being with StepUp Ministry has given me so much more than just tools to better my life such as budgeting, stress management, making S.M.A.R.T. goals, resume building, interviewing and public speaking skills, it has given me the strength, determination, and power to always look at each day in my life as the path to a better me.”

Currently, Shareasa is working two jobs, maintaining a 4.0 GPA in pursuit of an Associates Degree to be a Medical Administrative Assistant and still attending the Alumni Program and leading StepUp Speakers’ Circle. 

“I have more growth to make, higher steps to climb and even greater heights to reach because settling on just the minimum is not the way I foresee my future... I'm so happy that I was able to make the step up to better myself because the pace I've been running this race at has propelled me ahead farther than I could think or imagine.”

Starting over isn’t easy and transforming your life in the middle of a pandemic is even harder, but Nathaniel knows the rewards of taking a chance and asking for support when you need it. 

In 2019, Nathaniel moved to Raleigh with plans to make positive choices and seek new opportunities. He found StepUp and completed the Employment Training Workshop in July of 2019 to gain resume and interview advice, access to potential employers and support throughout his job search. His next step was to enroll in the Step2/Life Skills program to continue working towards his goals.

Step2 is a 48-week program that focuses on developing financial literacy and communications skills, creating a network, building savings and providing job support. Each participant is paired with a copartner that serves as a friend and mentor. Nathaniel was meeting weekly and building a community with his copartner, case manager and the rest of the Step2 participants. 

The pandemic hit in the middle of Nathaniel’s journey through Step2. This major life upheaval was hard on everyone, but StepUp shifted all programming, Step2 moved to virtual platforms and Nathaniel stuck with it. 

Throughout the 48 weeks, Nathaniel regained his driver’s license, got a new job, earned a promotion and is currently on his way to a second promotion. 

“I went from [being] a driver to a crew manager to now being in a position to be shop manager so that is the greatest accomplishment that has come through this life skills program.”

Nathaniel had goals in mind, StepUp just helped him get there. He graduated from the program in September along with nine other participants. When asked about the biggest lesson he learned from the life skills program, Nathaniel said, “The biggest thing that I’ve taken from the life skills program is to continue in persistence, to continue to keep going no matter what it looks like, no matter what obstacles come, that you can make it through.”

Today, Nathaniel is making plans for his future career growth and success. He says, “I’m just dreaming bigger now.”

If progression via access and utilization of resources is what success looks like, participant Corinne Scott embodies it. Corinne completed the three day virtual Employment Training Workshop on May 15th while she was relocating to Raleigh. Less than two weeks later, she landed an interview through a StepUp referral and secured a temporary job in her desired field. Recently, the job extended her employment because of her great work ethic and she found her own living space to call home! Corinne attributes a portion of her success to what she learned in the StepUp workshop. Keep stepping up, Corinne!

Nathaniel relocated to Raleigh NC in 2019.  His goal was to make positive choices and decisions that would improve his employment, housing and transportation status. 

Nathaniel entered StepUp Ministry through the Employment Training Workshop on July 8, 2019.  Upon completion of the Employment training Workshop, he enrolled into the Step2 process (formally known as the Life Skills program).  Nathaniel is currently in phase IV of the 48-week program.  

Since enrollment in the Step2 process, Nathaniel has worked diligently with his Case Manager to resolve issues surrounding a suspended drivers’ license, secured safe and affordable housing and landed a permanent full-time position as a Crew Leader with Erosion Control Solutions. As a Crew Leader, Nathaniel has been assigned a company truck, trailer and equipment to transport 3 fellow co-workers to and from Project sites. He also ensures that work quality and production are met. 

Two weeks ago, Nathaniel entered training for the position of Shop Manager. If you see Nathaniel, please help me in congratulating him for all of his accomplishments and I’m looking forward to hearing about many more.