Step By Step, Inc

Step By Step is a holistic, non-profit program working to empower and embolden young single mothers ages 12 to 24 in our community to improve their lives, families, and communities through healing, encouragement, faith and education. Founded in 1995 by three best friends with a burning desire to impact child abuse and neglect statistics in their community, these women set out to create a place that was intended to be and remains today, where single mothers didn’t feel judged, but could enjoy and support each other, as well as learn life skills that would not only impact them... but their children as well.

Our Mission

We’re here to empower and embolden young single mothers to improve their lives, their families, and their communities through healing, encouragement, faith and education.

Our Vision 

We envision a Lexington that fosters belonging and empowers young, single mothers to positively impact their families and communities.

Programming

Step by Step seeks to provide holistic support through a broad range of wrap around services including:

• Revive - These weekly meetings are focused on community with transportation, children's programming, and a hot meal provided. Moms can meet other moms going through the same kinds of things, make friends and bring their kids.

• C.A.R.E. (Connections, Affirmations, Resources, Empowerment) - Program staff connect with moms on a weekly basis providing on-going support through resource referrals, connection, and continued encouragement.

• Mom's Pantry - Monthly moms can request much needed items from the pantry including diapers and wipes, hygiene and cleaning products, as well as gas cards and bus passes.

• Dare to Dream - Moms meet with program staff to set goals and receive support to help them reach them.

• Level Up - Short term workshops where moms receive extended training in life skills in areas such as financial literacy and parenting.

• Echo & Resound Leadership - Once a mom has completed the 3-year program, they can join the leadership training program and lead other moms in Step By Step!

Who We Are

STEP BY STEP
Step By Step exists to improve the lives of young single mothers and their children through healing, encouragement, faith and education. Although we refuse to work any harder than these moms commit to working for their own sustainability, we work tirelessly to ensure their success.

We have been present at births, have comforted and loved through adversity, and have seen our moms rise to new heights at every turn. Sometimes, we are the only ones these moms can think to call when their baby takes first steps or when they become survivors of domestic violence. We walk through life with them and we are the only agency offering these services in Lexington and the surrounding areas.
God has called us to make a difference. What these young women need is guidance, support and acceptance without judgment.

OUR PROGRAM
Step By Step provides a variety of services in low resource areas to young single moms ages 14 to 24, with the goal of improving the lives of these young moms and their children through healing, encouragement, faith and education. We work with our moms both at our bimonthly large group meetings and at our center downtown, where we can work with them individually. We believe the true way to healing and life-changing is through the power of Jesus Christ at work in our lives, so the most important thing we do at Step By Step is share the truth of God’s love and His unceasing faithfulness.

Step By Step has touched the lives of thousands of mothers and their children over the past 23 years. We work in partnership with our moms to empower them and give them the tools to change their own lives. With a staff of 4, we work through crisis management and connect these families to important resources to meet basic needs from housing to mental health care and everything in between. We partner with local agencies to provide wrap around services closing important gaps that these families would otherwise fall through.

Additionally, we provide support through our bimonthly meetings, Parenting Classes, Heathy Cooking Classes, Mentoring Program, and Life Skills courses which we offer with partner organizations throughout the community such as the Family Care Center. We offer each mom that steps through our doors on-going care andcase management emphasizing our Dare To Dream Program. We offer our moms and children incentives, support, guidance, and unconditional love. Through this holistic program, we enter their homes and schools and help them set and reach goals.

Of the moms who complete the Step By Step program, the vast majority go back to school or become employed, some even complete college degrees! The difference these accomplishments make in the lives of these families leads to self-sufficiency and stability.