Upcoming Event – Monday, May 23rd, 2011

May 2, 2011 | 10:26 am

A Step Up Gathers to support My Life My Choice

Monday, May 23rd at 9:30 am

A Step Up is excited to showcase My Life My Choice on Monday, May 23rd, 2011.   We will learn about an innovative, effective, nationally recognized organization working to end the commercial sexual exploitation of girls. Through comprehensive outreach, My Life My Choice is reaching more than 200 girls annually in the Greater Boston area and hundreds more in cities across the United States.  The organization works to end sexual exploitation through prevention, training, victim support and mentoring.  My Life My Choice is fighting exploitation by harnessing girls resilience, strength and outrage.

Lisa Goldblatt Grace, the founder and Program Director of My Life My Choice will speak to A Step Up about how My Life My Choice is supporting girls in the Greater Boston as they strive to be safe and free from exploitation. (more…)

Treehouse Communities

May 16, 2010 | 10:54 am

treehousecommunities.org

Treehouse Communities was established in 2002 by Judy Cockerton, a foster/adoptive parent with a vision: to improve conditions for children in our public foster care system. Treehouse is building model programs that  provide foster children with enduring family relationships and supportive community connections. (more…)

Web of Benefit

March 17, 2010 | 1:13 pm

webofbenefit.org

Web of Benefit was created in 2004 as a not-for-profit organization, created for women escaping domestic violence, with the purpose of creating a web of benefit to promote freedom from domestic violence, build the self-esteem of women, and break the inter-generational cycle of abuse. After a minimum of six months separation from her abuser, Web of Benefit will provide a Self Sufficiency Grant averaging $500 in financial resources to accomplish the first step of her dream. The grant provides support in areas that may include education, housing, childcare, transportation costs, legal assistance, job training and placement, and micro financing of small businesses. Web of Benefit also gives women access to multiple and resources to help their independence. After receiving a grant from Web of Benefit, each woman must adhere to the “pay it forward” philosophy of doing three good works on whatever level she is able for other women in need. A Step Up was able to provide sel-sufficiency grants for 4 women.

School on Wheels

April 3, 2009 | 1:15 pm

schoolonwheelsofmass.org

At School on Wheels, Cheryl Opper and her dedicate staff lead a team of volunteers who work with homeless families residing in shelters. She and her team have recognized the critical need for offering support to some of the 50,000 children experiencing homelessness in Massachusetts. Their mission is to “break the cycle of poverty one child at a time by providing academic support services for children experiencing homelessness.” The volunterrs provide after-school tutoring for children in grades K-12. In addition to the tutoring they provide each student with a backpack and school supplies and offer workshops for the parents focused on helping their children be successful in school. The volunteers and staff at School on Wheels work closely with the children’s teachers and help families advocate for appropriate support services. A Step Up raised $2, 500 at our event for School on Wheels. The donations will be used to purchase new backpacks filled with books and school supplies for over 100 children experiencing homelessness.

Walker

October 20, 2008 | 1:16 pm

walkerschool.org

Walker is an important organization committed to helping at-risk children and youth in our communities Walker’s teachers, therapists, social workers and other professionals treat hundreds of the most troubled children and their families in Massachusetts. Walker strives to prepare their children to be less fragile, more resilient, and strengthened to face daily challenges that life brings. A Step Up raised almost $3,000 to help the children enrolled at the Walker School have more opportunities to participate in community outings and community-based recreational activities. It will make a real difference in their lives.

Women of Means

June 10, 2008 | 1:17 pm

womenofmeans.org

Women of Means is a physician run organization which sends teams of doctors and nurses into shelters in and around Boston to cut through the red tape and provide free, patient-centered medical care to women and children. Dr.Roseanna Means the founder of Women of Means believes that societies neediest women and children deserve accessible and compassionate health care and should not have sacrifice scarce cash, safety, warmth and food to get basic medical help. Dr. Means has also developed and implemented a training program that educates nursing students, medical students and physicians in training about the medical needs and health consequences of poverty and homelessness. A Step Up raised over $4,000 for Women of Means and was able to help to pay for medical supplies at the family shelters.

Reach

March 6, 2007 | 1:19 pm

reachma.org

Reach is committed to advancing the safety, healing, and empowerment of those who experience domestic or relationship violence, through direct services and education while social justice for individual and families of all backgrounds. We are pleased to report that A Step Up raised over $3,000 which will be used to support Reach’s Independence Fund. The purpose of the Independence Fund is to help survivors of domestic violence rebuild and maintain their economnic self-sufficiency. The Independence Fund provides a source o funding for survivors that is accessibleand can pay for expenses not covered by existing sources. To this date, the Fund has been used to pay for job training, car repairs, insurance, or registration, and gas cards.

Reach

March 6, 2007 | 10:13 am

reachma.org

REACH is committed to advancing the safety, healing, and empowerment of those who experience domestic or relationship violence, through direct services and education while promoting social justice for individuals and families of all backgrounds. We are pleased to report that A Step Up raised over $3,000 which will eb used to support REACH’s Independence Fund. The purpose of the Independence Fund is to help survivors of domestic violence rebuild and maintain their economic self-sufficiency. The Independence Fund provides a source of funding for survivors that is accessible and can pay for expenses not covered by existing sources. To this date, the Fund has been used to pay for job training, car repairs, insurance, or registration, and gas cards.

Think Kids

February 17, 2007 | 1:18 pm

thinkkids.org

Think: Kids is a program in the Department of Psychiatry at the Massachusetts General Hospital focused on teaching adults a revolutionary, evidence based approach to helping kids with behavioral challenges. Think: Kids is spreading the word about what challenging kids really need to succeed through implementing their innovative and proven approach called Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS). A Step Up raised over $4,000 for Think: Kids. These funds were used to provide 400 parents with Collaborative Problem Solving Training Kits.

Project Joy

October 12, 2006 | 10:10 am

pjkids.org

The mission of Project Joy is to foster the healthy and wholesome development of children who have had to face profound traumas in their lives, including abuse, poverty, domestic violence, natural disasters and war. Their mission is accomplished through healthy and safe play: specifically, cooperative sports, games, music, storytelling, art and dance. These activities are designed to provide children with a strong foundation of self-worth, social efficacy, and community. A Step Up raised close to $3,000 towards materials needed to train teacher who will support the mission of Project Joy.