Alayya Arrison

StepUp Wilmington’s mission is all about getting members of our community into good jobs with fair wages. To make this possible, the organization partners with top employers in the Cape Fear Region to place hundreds of jobs each year.

New Hanover Regional Medical Center (NHRMC) is one of those employers.

“NHRMC is driven to support hiring people from all walks of life to support our mission”, hiring partner and Director of Food and Nutrition Services, Wayne Strauss, shared on the hospital’s support of StepUp Wilmington. “We believe in helping the community and giving back to the best of our ability.”

Since 2016, NHRMC has hired 17 StepUp Wilmington graduates for various positions, 10 of which were hired in the last year.

One graduate who particularly stands out is Sediah who completed Jobs Week in November 2018.

“She is very connected to the process of providing an outstanding experience for all patients,” Strauss said of Sediah. “She has fully learned her job and is going to be cross-training into another level of the operation soon. We love working with her as she brings a great attitude, smiles and compassionate care to our employees and patients.”

Thank you, NHRMC, for support jobs in our community!

Are you interested in hiring from StepUp Wilmington? Contact Ally (ally@stepupwilmington.org) to learn more.

A North Carolina native, Rebecca was first introduced to Wilmington upon enrolling into UNCW’s Cameron School of Business.

“My time at UNCW really connected me with the city and made me want to stay here after graduating,” she said. “I got a job at Live Oak Bank, which has been a tremendous experience and has shown me the importance of enjoying your work.”

Live Oak Bank, a long-time supporter of StepUp Wilmington, is a philanthropic company that encourages its employees to get involved in the community. Rebecca was immediately drawn to this idea and, when given the opportunity, joined StepUp Wilmington’s board of young professionals.

“I was interested in a different approach to giving back to the community and wanted to be involved with a board that had the capability to make decisions that would result in change,” Rebecca shared. “When Bethany [Leighton] explained the opportunities for contribution towards StepUp, it was an easy decision to want to take part.”

Since joining the board in January 2019, Rebecca has not only worked to keep her colleagues on the board inspired, but was also the brains behind providing day planners to StepUp Wilmington participants in the organization’s 9-month life skills initiative.

On why she supports StepUp Wilmington, she says, “Above all, the mission of StepUp is what always brings me back to the “why” of being involved.” She continues, “When you meet the participants and see the impact of the organization, you realize how StepUp is simply giving individuals the tools needed to have autonomy over their lives. It is a breath of hope and support for those who need it most. It makes you thankful to be apart of a community filled with such resilient individuals.”

During her tenure on the board of young professionals, Rebecca hopes to be an asset for the organization in providing tools, resources and ideas that help to break the norm in our community.

Thank you, Rebecca, and the entire Board of Young Professionals for supporting our work!

Six years ago, Ashanti was unemployed and searching for work. A staffing agency recommended StepUp Wilmington and she decided to take a chance, not knowing that this chance would become the start of a new career path, a new passion and a new life.

Ashanti completed Jobs Week, became employed full-time and went back to school to pursue her bachelor’s, but that wasn’t the end of her journey with the organization.

In 2016, she was hired by StepUp Wilmington as a Financial Assistant but quickly realized her passion for working with the individuals and families in the organization’s life skills initiative, Step2, moving her to a Case Manager position and, ultimately, into her current role as Program Manager. Her experience in this role has made Wednesday’s her favorite day of the week!

“My favorite part of my job is, of course, Wednesday evenings! I love being apart of our community of thriving support,” Ashanti said. “Each Wednesday, Step2 participants, Jobs Week graduates, volunteers and staff get together, share a meal and learn ways to continue on a path towards leading a stable life.”

Ashanti connects most to the part of StepUp Wilmington’s mission that states, “to empower individuals to reach their potential,” as her role directly influences the encouragement and confidence-building of those that she takes under her wing in Step2. With the program’s 100% investment match, Ashanti, with the help of volunteers, helps individuals’ budget and put their new earnings towards a goal like a down-payment on a car or a new home, pushing them closer to ultimate stability.

In five years, she predicts that everyone in the Cape Fear Region will know the name: StepUp Wilmington.

“I see StepUp as a household name, where everyone in this community knows that we help provide jobs with fair wages and the support individuals need to become a thriving member of society,” Ashanti said.

In addition to her role at StepUp Wilmington, Ashanti is also involved with Tri-County Homeless Interagency Council, the Race Equity Discussion Series, the New Hanover County Community Remembrance Project and a mentee with WILMA’s Women to Watch Leadership Initiative mentoring program.

Thank you, Ashanti, for all that you do!

Nikkie came to StepUp Wilmington after a long and unsuccessful job search that left her wondering, “what am I doing wrong?”.

Being let go from her previous job, not only was she feeling deflated, but she was having trouble defining her value. During Jobs Week, the affirmation session made a light bulb go off and bettering her life was the only thing on her mind.

“I learned that I am a valuable person of great worth. That really stuck out to me because whenever things weren’t working out, I would just give up,” Nikkie said. “When you realize your worth and you start to speak positively to yourself, it makes a difference.”

Following her graduation from Jobs Week, Nikkie kept in constant contact with her employment counselor during her job search. Together, they created the perfect explanation for why she was let go from her last position. After applying to a few places, she finally got the call she was waiting for.

“I got through the phone interview and it went great so they called me back for a second. The questions were a little strange but by doing my mock interview beforehand, I was perfectly ready.”

Not only did she blow the interview out of the water, but she was placed in the exact field and position that she was hoping for, making $3 more than her last job.

On Jobs Weeks’ impact, Nikkie claimed, “It changes your mind about everything you thought was right. You don’t know what’s going on in the minds of employers, but the volunteers came in and told you exactly what they look for. I thought I knew what I was doing but I learned things I never even thought about.”

Despite her hardships, Nikkie was persistent in her search for better because she wanted to make sure that her children saw what success looked like. Recently, her goal was affirmed.

“My daughter was doing a school project on the most successful person she knew and she decided to interview me. That’s how I knew that I made it.”

If you’re ready for success, give us a call at (910)343-8469 to learn how we can assist.

“Come on in and welcome home. We’re here for you.”

This is the tried and true phrase that Philippians 3 Ministries’ executive director, Jerri Holliday, uses when greeting the many members of our community that she meets with each week. The non-profit provides upscale professional clothing to men and women in the Cape Fear Region free of charge and free of judgement.

“We started over 10 years ago and it has been an honor and a privilege,” Jerri said. “I want people to understand that they are valuable no matter what they’ve done.”

Jerri can relate to some of the individuals that she serves because of her own experience with starting over again following incarceration.

“When you get out of prison, people treat you so funny but even through all of that, I prospered. I prospered even as a convicted felon,” she says. “I have a past but that was just part of my process. We just have to remember that what we went through was our process, not our purpose.”

Philippians 3 Ministries began partnering with StepUp Wilmington back when the organization was known as Phoenix Employment Ministry. Today, she is the sole provider of interview clothing for StepUp Wilmington’s participants.

“StepUp’s participants are at a place where they’re ready to do more. The focus is on the part of the individual that wants to do better,” Jerri says. “We can help with that. We can show them a new version of themselves.”

Thank you to Jerri and all of StepUp Wilmington’s community partners for all that you do!

StepUp Wilmington’s Board of Young Professionals is comprised of diverse individuals with a variety of backgrounds and unique experience. Board member, Robert Hay, is no different.

Originally from Australia, Robert lived in the United Kingdom for 16 years and studied management in Switzerland. After graduating, he moved to Wilmington in 2016 to take over OT Solutions, a pediatric occupational and speech therapy company.

Since landing in North Carolina, Robert got involved with the Port City Young Professionals and Therapy Pets Unlimited, and most recently, StepUp Wilmington.

The organization’s “long-lasting and meaningful impact on the community” was what initially sparked his interest but as he got more involved, the more dedicated he became.

“StepUp Wilmington is wonderful in how they approach and support individuals. There’s a comradery and family-feel, especially in Step2,” Robert says. “Apart from helping people find a job, they are also teaching valuable life and finance skills.”

During his time on the young professional board, Robert is determined to spread the word and encourage others in the community to get involved with the mission alongside his peers.

“We have much to share and also much to learn from such a diverse group of young professionals.”

Join Robert and the rest of the Board of Young Professionals on Saturday, November 16th at Waterman’s Brewing for a StepUp Wilmington awareness event. Details to come.

A non-profit is nothing without the help of its volunteers and supporters. Thankfully, we found both in Claus.

Claus was introduced to StepUp Wilmington at StarNews’ Conscious Fair earlier this year and was immediately drawn to the mission.

“When I stopped at the StepUp table, the work they were doing really jumped out at me. I have a background as a human resource generalist and it sounded like a good fit.”

Soon after the fair, he toured Jobs Week and set to work volunteering as a mock interviewer and session facilitator.

“The concept that StepUp Wilmington is working towards in helping people from all different walks of life to get a good job — that’s something I want to help with,” he said. “Everybody deserves a chance and if I can help in that process, that’s what I want to do. StepUp’s process is a good recipe for success.”

His experience with the organization has been fruitful so far. He shares, “Everyone has an impact on me. It’s inspiring being here. Sometimes learning what people have been through and seeing how they come here and reinvent themselves shows you how lucky you are by just having the opportunity to be employed.”

When it comes to looking for a job, Claus suggests that everyone gets involved with StepUp Wilmington.

“I think what you find is that it’s a group of dedicated people and you’re in an environment where everyone’s on a mission. It isn’t a regular job for the staff – everyone’s here for a reason and wants to accomplish something for other people. When everyone’s together, it comes together.”

Aside from his work with StepUp Wilmington, CLaus is involved with the Cancer Association and StepUp Wilmington community partner, the Cape Fear Literacy Council, where he helps to prepare individuals for citizenship interviews.

Interested in volunteering with StepUp Wilmington? Reach out to Ally@StepUpWilmington.org to learn more.

Shortly after arriving in Wilmington in 2016, Buc was let go from his position and found himself unemployed. During his job search, he was introduced to StepUp Wilmington by his case manager at NCWorks.

His journey began with Jobs Week, and after getting hired, he continued onto the nine-month life skills workshop, Step2.

“I’ve done the entire program. I previously taught some of those components before so when you get to hear them from someone else, no matter your background, it’s good to have them reinforced while also creating that network and new community,” Buc said. “It made it that much more empowering.”

One of the many things that stuck out to him during his time with StepUp was watching the journey of everyone, including himself, go from the job they have to the job they want. Buc also acknowledged the stories shared during programs that brought the group together.

“We’re all storytellers so getting to hear other people’s narratives and finding similarities in your own story was powerful.”

Buc is now the Education Navigator at Cape Fear Community College where he is working to “connect the community to college and the college to the community” in hopes of getting more residents back to school and into continuing education or vocational programs.

To those looking for work, he advises, “I’m now a part of the StepUp family and I highly encourage anyone to go through the programs. It’s a great way to get to know the community and for employers to get to know you.”

Join us at 6pm on September 19th to celebrate Buc and his fellow graduates at the Step2 Graduation taking place at Gilmour Hall in First Presbyterian Church.

RSVP to Ashanti@StepUpWilmington.org

We’ve all seen the reports covering the “lowest unemployment rate in years”. What we’re also seeing is the increase in jobs that don’t offer a living wage, as well as a decrease in opportunities that offer benefits or desirable schedules.

According to NPR writer Emily Sullivan, over 30% of American’s have to work a second job in addition to their full-time position to afford basic needs like housing and food. This type of lifestyle comes with a high cost, as it decreases family and personal time while increasing stress.

While a low unemployment rate is great, and ultimately, at StepUp Wilmington, our goal is to get people into work, we have to acknowledge the growing epidemic that is under-employment. We don’t only need more jobs, we need better jobs that set people up for success and break the vicious cycle of poverty.

In looking at the big picture when it comes to the unemployment rate, Forbes writer Erik Sherman shares, “Insisting that companies pay reasonable amounts — rather than expecting workers to accept low wages and then get government assistance if necessary — is fundamental to a functional society.”

Individuals deserve access to employment that offers opportunities for growth and stability. That’s why at StepUp Wilmington, we strive to partner with local employers that offer a living wage based on the minimum standards of living in a community. According to MIT’s Living Wage Calculator, in New Hanover County, the living wage is $12.32/hour or $25,625 annually for a single adult and $25.77/hour or $53,601 annually for a family of four.

Are you hiring or looking for a better job? Reach out to info@stepupwilmington.org to learn more.

As Hurricane Dorian makes it’s way up the coast, it is important to prepare for the unknown. Here are a few local resources to help you get ahead of the storm:

• Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard: Northside Wilmington Food Pantry
• Iglesias Vision 3-D: Central Wilmington Food Pantry
• Union Missionary Baptist Church: Eastside Wilmington Food Pantry
• House of Mercy: Mid-Town Wilmington Food Pantry

Open shelters:

• Blair Elementary School | 6510 Market Street (Pets Allowed)
• Codington Elementary School | 4321 Carolina Beach Road
• New Hanover County Animal Services is providing shelter for pets (180 Division Road)

For questions regarding shelters, evacuation orders, protective measures or current notices, please contact Emergency Public Information at (910) 798-6800.