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The Life Skills Program represents the
heart of StepUP Ministry as a learning community and utilizes a phased, incentive driven
model. Every Job program participant is eligible to enter Life Skills. Each participant must be working 30 hours a week. In return, the participant receives a volunteer mentor (called a co-partner) and a case manager. Sixty adults and 50 children meet weekly on Tuesday nights. The nine-month training curriculum addresses financial
literacy, goal setting, healthy communication and relationships, vocational planning and the exploration of homeownership. The Life Skills program has three complementary program components:
Housing:
Program participants may apply for affordable rental housing. StepUP owns four apartments and has direct access to affordable housing units through the Raleigh Housing Authority and DHIC. Participants are offered Ready to Rent training to prepare them for renting. Finally, StepUP encourages homeownership as a long-term goal, as this can be one of the most important indicators of a family's financial stability. StepUP works collaboratively with the Raleigh Housing Authority Scattered Sites program, DHIC and Habitat for Humanity to accomplish this goal. StepUP also offers a monthly support group to graduates seeking to become homeowners.
Children's Program:
All adults with dependent children 16 years old and younger are required to participate in StepUP
as a family unit. Like their parents, children meet weekly on Tuesday nights. Program staff and volunteers offer the same phased training that their parents receive. The Children's program annually serves 125 at-risk children ages 0-16 teaching age-appropriate curriculum that the adults receive. Some of the benefits include:
- A stable, reliable routine and personal case plans, both of which help combat an often chaotic life.
- A healthy peer group with which to identify.
- Incentives for academic achievement (including gift cards, parties and outings.
- Mentors for children through collaborative relationships with agencies like Big Brother, Big Sister and the Junior League of Raleigh.
- Guest speakers and workshops covering such topics as violence prevention, peer pressure, family structure, healthy communication and personal health.
- Service projects, such as community clean-ups.
- Cultural outings to museums, plays and concerts.
- Leadership development and self-esteem, involving parents and educators.
In line with StepUP's primary mission of promoting self-sufficiency, the Children's Program includes a primary focus on goal setting, budgeting, career development and academic achievement. We measure reading and writing levels of children when entering and exiting the program; teach smart ways to budget and set goals, as well as teach discipline and etiquette skills. We strive to keep children in school, to ensure that they are reading and writing at grade level or beyond, and promote academic excellence.
StepAHEAD Scholarship Program:
This scholarship program helps fill a financial gap for participants who are seeking additional education or training that will improve their income and employment potential long-term. Applications are screened, reviewed and approved by a volunteer scholarship committee.
StepUP Budget Worksheet
Click HERE to download spreadsheet. |
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