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.

This year, I am incredibly grateful to our surrounding community for the overwhelming support of our StepUp children and young adults. I want to thank each individual, school, group, church, organization, and agency that donated to our wonderful children. It was such a pleasure to meet many of our new donors for the first time and such a joy to get to see our repeat donors.  When I contacted the parents to let them know that StepUp would be providing Christmas gifts and items for their children, many of them were overwhelmed with emotion and so excited for their children to be supported by the community. Many parents told me that they were not going to be able to do anything for their children for Christmas this year. Covid 19 may have affected our ability to be with each other in person this year, but it did NOT affect the generosity, the compassion,  and the giving hearts of our outstanding community members! On behalf of the families we serve, we want to thank our Christmas donors from the bottom of our hearts! We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Colisha C. Stanford, Director of Children and Young Adult Programs

The Children’s Program has had an amazing fall working with local artists to create beautiful collaborations. Gab Smith, executive director of CAM Raleigh, worked with our Real World kids at our virtual camp in September. She introduced them to the current exhibits and artists and invited them to create pieces to be displayed in a Public Art Installation by renowned artist Hank Willis Thomas. His “Love Over Rules” exhibit can be seen on the side of Raleigh Union Station on the corner of West Martin Street.

We also worked with local artists Shannon Newby (KidLabRaleigh), and Deanna Hicks (Paper and Stars Studio) to create art kits to send home with our younger kids. Shannon was even gracious enough to donate extra supplies to stock our shelves for next year! We have loved partnering with all of our local artists and getting a chance to create with our StepUp kids!

Baking, crafting, dancing, and etiquette lessons were on the agenda for our Children's virtual camp this month along with guest appearances from Dr. Donna Corbett and Chef Carmen. 

The Children's Camp was full of over 40 kids and their families! Camp participants Selena and Faith said, "How did you come up with something so creative and unique? This was absolutely the BEST idea and it went over so well... I am curious to see what else StepUp has to offer me and my family." 

Our Real World virtual camp is scheduled for September 30th and will include spoken word, dance and fitness classes, personal grooming tips, make up tutorials and chances to win T-shirts or gift cards! 

The Children’s Program has been spending the month talking about and doing activities surrounding Black History. Middle Ground got to learn facts about African American people who have made important contributions to our society while playing a trivia game. They also made collages to represent what Black History means to them using different fabrics papers and stickers. Simon Payne said, “ Black History month makes me proud to be black.”

Our little ones in Baby Steps didn’t miss out on the action! They spent one evening reading about Rosa Parks and her contributions to society. Following the lesson, they did a craft with seashells to give an easy to understand example of diversity. The children had a chance to pick out shells to glue to their canvas, they were told to focus on the differences of the shells while appreciating the unique beauty of each one. All the children took their artwork home and now can teach their families what they learned about African American History and diversity.

StepUp children experience many new activities through the Raleigh Renaissance program! This summer, the children have visited Hope Reins (a therapeutic riding facility for children) and Historic Stagville in Durham. They also helped with a service project with the Diaper Bank of NC, one of our community partners. They also were treated to a performance of Annie at the NC Theatre. Future activities include trips to the Museum of Life and Science, the NC Museum of Art, and the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center. There is also a campus tour of UNC planned, followed by a visit to the school’s historical museum.

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