Alayya Arrison

An important service of StepUp Wilmington is education. 

We work hard to correct misconceptions, inform employers, and advocate for equitable practices. A StepUp Wilmington employee recently had an employer reach out to them because they had a couple of open positions they needed help filling. While the StepUp employee and their colleague were on the phone with him learning about the nature of the position, and ready to start the process of contacting our candidates, the employer mentioned the pay was $10 an hour. While $10 an hour is above the minimum wage set for the state of North Carolina, it is not enough to be considered a living wage for an adult. In New Hanover County the living wage for one adult to live on is $12.10 an hour working full-time. This living wage is calculated based on the real cost of living in our area. When you factor in a child (or other dependents), this living wage more than doubles. 

It is a common misconception that one can live off of minimum wage if they were to simply budget differently. However, minimum wage does not cover the many necessary monthly expenses one has such as food, rent, transportation, and healthcare. Our StepUp employee explained this to the employer that reached out to them and asked if they would consider a higher wage. The hiring manager they spoke to was able to advocate to his Director to raise the hourly pay to $12.00 an hour—and they accomplished this despite the limitations of a nonprofit’s budget. Employers who are able to provide this living wage often experience benefits in both recruitment and retention. We at StepUp take pride in our reputation and services, and we strongly believe that we have a social responsibility to advocate for a sustainable wage. We look forward to placing one of our candidates at this organization and to finding well-paying employment for many more.

For more information on your local living wage, visit http://livingwage.mit.edu/

If you or someone you know is looking for a change, contact us to see how we can best support you.

 

In July 2018, StepUp Wilmington decided to bring in their first ever Operations Director and Sean Bynum was the man for the job.

A husband, father of four girls, US Air Force veteran, and NC native, Sean got straight to work immersing himself in the organization’s work.

“Why StepUp Wilmington? Our mission and our impact in the community. We are committed to justice and equity.” Bynum shared.

At StepUp Wilmington, Sean oversees the organization’s daily operations, a responsibility that has transformed in the wake of COVID-19.

“We shifted from face to face training to a virtual platform to safely meet the needs of staff and participants. We will continue to seek innovative ways to train individuals for satisfying work,” Sean said.

This change in operation has opened new doors by allowing StepUp Wilmington to expand their reach to folks that may be experiencing barriers that make it difficult to attend in-person training like transportation or childcare, thus allowing the organization to serve and place more people into jobs in coming years.

“We will use a combination of in-person and virtual training following COVID-19 in an effort to expand our presence throughout the region.”

Thank you for all that you do, Sean!

Interested in attending Jobs Week Online? Sign up here.

Will you stand with us?

StepUp Wilmington 2020 Virtual Fundraiser.

I am Marvelous Marvette.

Motivated, capable and able to be whomever I want to be.

Free and not bound to societies expectations.

I had to come to the realization that to exist in the world, you have to be a part of it.

I am from rural North Carolina but I was not your average country girl. I had a lot of spunk and was very spirited. The gift of gab will take you a long way.

I was going to be the first one of my mom’s children to go to college. I went for my PSAT but college didn’t happen for me. I graduated from high school in June and by August, I was pregnant with my first daughter and my second followed shortly after. I thought that my life would be over and that my dreams would become nightmares being a teen mom.

These negative thoughts made life even harder. I got caught up, made some bad choices, and got hooked on narcotics. I started shoplifting to support my habit and ended up in jail. I had abandoned my children and I knew I had to get out of prison and get my family back together. I served 21 days of a 2-year sentence. You see, God always had me.

However, because of the shortened sentence, by the time I got out, the need for drugs was still in my system. I found myself homeless and pregnant. I knew I did not want to have a baby with a crack addiction.

God sent me a guardian angel via vocational rehab named Jean Edwards. She saw a lot of potential in me and helped me get into the DART program. I began working two jobs and entered a 12-step program so I could get my family back together. Unfortunately, six months into the program, my sponsor passed away and I dropped out but through the grace of God and the love and support of my family, I stayed clean and remain clean 28 years later.

I moved to Wilmington, NC after being displaced due to Hurricane Florence and took a live-in job as a Housing Manager for a women’s recovery program. I was terminated after six months, losing both my housing and employment on the same day. I pleaded with them to let me stay for two weeks so that my granddaughter who lived with me could finish the school year but my request was denied and I became homeless. This was a Christian organization and I thought what would Jesus do? He would not have done that.

Back at square one again, I was at the Help Hub looking for financial assistance when a young man came in and spoke about StepUp Wilmington. You see, God will put people in your path and it is your choice to use them, follow them or disregard them. I disregarded him. But soon after, at the NC Works center, I heard the name StepUp Wilmington again. I went to sign up the following Monday, completed their Jobs Week and after becoming employed, I began Step2. Here, I met some phenomenal and like-minded people. We were well on our way repairing credit, tracking spending, saving and setting goals when, a couple of weeks prior to our graduation, the Coronavirus came to town. However, I am proud to say that I am still an intricate part of StepUp Wilmington and they are of me.

Today, I am living the best version of me. Wilmington has become my home. I have a place to call my own, work full-time for an organization with a good cause and now have insurance and benefits.

God has been so good to me.

I am Marvelous Marvette.

Written by Marvette Shephard, StepUp Wilmington graduate.

North Carolina has unanimously passed new criminal justice reform laws as part of the Second Chance Act that grants additional expungement opportunities for people living in the state. With over 1.6 million NC residents having a background, these laws are crucial to decreasing recidivism, providing economic growth and promoting equal opportunity for gainful employment in our cities.

With three main points, the laws state that:

• Starting next year, if an individual is determined “not guilty” or charges have been dropped, their record will be automatically expunged without having to pay for an attorney.
• Last year, North Carolina became the last state to increase the juvenile age from 16 to 18 but neglected to update the records of those who had been effected prior to the law’s change. This update will expunge the records of those who were previously impacted.
• After seven years, individuals who do not re-offend may expunge non-violent misdemeanor convictions excluding DWI’s and other similar infractions.

A background can create a lifelong barrier to employment and economic stability that inhibits individuals, families and communities from thriving. While there is still more to be done to ensure that every person has access to satisfying employment, laws like those acknowledged in the Second Chance Act will allow for residents in the Cape Fear Region and beyond to rise above their past and reach their full potential.

Click here to learn more about the Second Chance Act.

“I was really unhappy and knew that I needed something new, so I came to StepUp.”

When Steve arrived for his first day of NextUp, StepUp Wilmington’s 5-week career workshop, he was struggling with finding the confidence it would take to find long-term employment that provided stability. During those five weeks, Steve was able to bond with individuals in similar situations as his and depend on StepUp Wilmington’s staff to lead him in the right direction.

“During NextUp and Step2, Ashanti and Bennett were very encouraging and were always one phone call away,” Steve shared.

After successfully completing NextUp, Steve was hired at New Hanover Regional Medical Center, a StepUp Wilmington partner, where he still works today on the frontlines during COVID-19.

“Working at a hospital during COVID-19 has been pretty interesting. They are very strict with safety so I feel protected and am just taking it one day at a time, helping wherever I can,” said Steve. “Even though I’m doing something small, I’m glad to be doing my part.”

Thank you to Steve and all frontline workers who continue to show up and serve our community!

If you or someone you know is looking for a change, contact us to see how we can best support you.

Dear Friends,

Although I have a Bachelors Degree and have been a working professional for 6+ years, I experienced
lull where I was only working part time. I was unsatisfied with my lack of progression in my career and felt
like I had hit a plateau and was not sure where to go next. I met Alicia through her outreach efforts, and
she encouraged me to join NextUp. I often referred many people to StepUp but did not know that they
were also able to help me.

The NextUp program helped restore some of my confidence that had been dwindling over the past few
years. I was reminded how to advocate for myself. The program content taught me important networking
and communication skills, and how to frame difficult conversations. Most importantly, the program
reminded me that I am a valuable person of great worth. I did not realize how lack of confidence played
such a big role in my ability to move forward.

With Alicia’s encouragement, for the first time in my career, I asked for a raise. I am now working full-time temporarily while the organization I work for looks to budget me into a full-time position in the next fiscal year, with more training opportunities to expand on my skill set. I encourage other working professionals to join NextUp if you need support in moving forward in your career. The program leaders are caring, compassionate, and truly invested in the participants, and I am so grateful for my experience.

Thank you, StepUp Wilmington!

Stacy

Are you ready for a change? Contact us today to learn how NextUp assists employed individuals in securing better employment with increased income.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the world to a halt and has left no individual or family untouched. To meet the need, the government has updated the qualifications for the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Family First Coronavirus Relief Act (FFCRA).

The following regulations are valid until December 31, 2020.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

The FMLA entitles eligible employees to take unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons with continuation of group health insurance coverage under the same terms and conditions as if the employee had not taken leave. To qualify, you must:

• Be out of work as a result of COVID-19 (includes childcare providers and caregivers)
• Be employed by a business with a minimum of 50 employees
• Have worked at this business for at least 12 months with over 1,250 hours of service

For information on what eligible individuals receive, click here.

Family First Coronavirus Relief Act (FFCRA)

The FFCRA requires certain employers to provide employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. To qualify, you must:

• Be out of work as a result of COVID-19
• Be employed by a business with 500 employees or less

For more information on what eligible individuals receive, click here.

African American’s make up only 22% of North Carolina’s population yet hold 39% of the state’s confirmed COVID-19 cases and 38% of the deaths.

 

Additional Information:

https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/covid19/covid-19-nc-case-count#by-race/ethnicity

https://nypost.com/2020/04/07/nyc-state-vow-to-release-coronavirus-data-along-raciallines/

https://www.usnews.com/news/healthiest-communities/articles/2020-04-07/black-people-are-disproportionately-dying-from-coronavirus

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/04/07/coronavirus-is-infecting-killing-black-americans-an-alarmingly-high-rate-post-analysis-shows/?arc404=true

Will Rikard, Executive Director of StepUp Wilmington, shares the organization’s response to COVID-19’s impact on jobs.