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Like many beginnings at StepUp Wilmington, April’s was a precarious one back in June 2017. After having recently lost her job and dozens of interviews gone unanswered, April felt that she hit rock bottom. A childhood of hearing “you’re never going to be successful” and “you’re not good enough” led to a belief system that was proving those statements true.

Jobs Week’s core affirmation: “I am a valuable person of great worth” barely made a dent. April said, “I could hardly comprehend it, my self-esteem was shot.” Then came mock interviews. “I finally had a place that was safe where I could practice, get feedback and not freak out.”

A few days later, April got a job. At $9/hour, she was grateful but not satisfied.

A better job, upgraded transportation, and nearly two years of personal and financial rebuilding later, April is a proud employee of StepUp Wilmington’s partner employer, Port of Wilmington Cold Storage.

During her time at StepUp Wilmington, April said that the life skills instruction she gained through Step2 directly impacted her new path. “It helped me rebuild my credit score by more than 100 points which led to a new, much more reliable car. It also helped me leave my last job well, not burning any bridges but building my network.”

April is now a StepUp Wilmington Ambassador and still attends Step2 regularly. This past Wednesday, April connected with others who are struggling to tackle credit issues. “Instead of waiting for good things to happen to me, StepUp gave me the tools to make good things happen for myself.”  

Thank you, April, for sharing your story!

If you have a job but are looking for a change, give us a call at (910)343-8469 to learn how we can help.

The true definition of StepUp Wilmington Behind the Scenes, Bethany Leighton is the one-woman show behind the organization’s fundraising initiatives.

Passionate about people and making an impact, Bethany has worked in the non-profit industry for over 12 years, most notably with Stop Child Abuse Now in Richmond, VA and Communities in Schools in Wilmington, NC. Here at StepUp Wilmington, she has supported the organization’s rapid growth over the last three years and has had a direct influence on the record-breaking fundraising numbers seen this past year.

“I was drawn to StepUp Wilmington because of the mission, the results that I saw from the programs and the lives that were being changed,” Bethany says. “The mission is something that is very relatable. We all want to be able to have a job and take care of our families. It was something that I could be passionate about in terms of fundraising and getting other people in the community passionate about too.”

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When it comes to what she enjoys most about her work, she shared, “I enjoy the grant writing and strategy part of my job but my favorite part is getting out there and talking to people. Especially those that have never heard of StepUp Wilmington and don’t know what we do. Just seeing their eyes light up or watching them have an “aha!” moment when they realize the impact we’re having is pretty rewarding.”

Over the next few years, Bethany sees incredible growth coming to StepUp Wilmington.  “We have some big goals ahead of us but we have a clear vision of where we want to be and the impact that we want to have on Wilmington,” Bethany says.

There’s still time to donate before our fiscal year ends on June 30th. Your donation will directly support StepUp Wilmington’s goal of placing members of our community into work. Donate here.

Each year, nearly 700,000 individuals are released from prison with only 30% of that number being able to secure work within one year.

Re-entry into society after imprisonment is often followed by recidivism, the tendency of a convicted person to re-offend, and data shows that roughly 60% of people return to prison within nine years of getting out. To change this statistic, it is important to learn how to overcome the barriers society and employers sometimes pose when our neighbors are looking to re-enter the workforce.

Here at StepUp Wilmington, we work to break these barriers. Our programs acknowledge four steps that those with a background can use when looking to get back to work:

• Be honest about your past
• Explain the lesson you learned
• Identify the changes you’ve made to your life and your circumstances
• Share your plans for the future

Employers respect honesty and integrity — tell them about your past before they find out for themselves. By taking accountability for your actions and sharing the changes you have made to avoid an unhealthy pattern, it shows that you are willing to learn and dedicated to reaching your full potential.

One StepUp Wilmington graduate who overcame this barrier is Ivey, who came to the organization after having trouble securing work due to his background.

“I was left with a scarlet letter “F” — a felon. I couldn’t get decent jobs. I lost jobs because I lied about having that letter. That affected my family greatly… How can you take care of a family on 7.25 an hour?”

Following his participation in the programs, Ivey shared, “Yeah, they teach you skills, but the biggest thing they do is help restore lives. They build you up — your confidence, your esteem, and your self-worth.” He is now an employee of the Wilmington Airport and working daily to be his best self.

 Your story can change just like Ivey’s did. Give us a call at (910) 343-8469 to get started.

It’s time to celebrate another employer partner! Say hello to Sylvia from WAVE Transit.

Sylvia started her journey with StepUp Wilmington in 2015 as a student front-desk volunteer when the organization was still branded Phoenix Employment Ministries. She describes SUW as “the bridge that changes lives for good.”

“My experience with StepUp Wilmington has been amazing. I support them because they are passionate about helping individuals get a second chance and so am I.”

A public servant, she thoroughly enjoys her position as the Human Resources Coordinator for WAVE Transit. Through this work, Sylvia has been able to hire five SUW graduates, three of which are still thriving with the company while two others have moved on to even better opportunities.

Thank you, Sylvia, for your support of SUW and our community!
Looking for employees? StepUp Wilmington has a community of qualified, trained and pre-screened candidates ready to work! Reach out to Ally (ally@stepupwilmington.org) to learn more.

Meet Dalvonte!

Originally from Chicago, Dalvonte has lived in Wilmington, NC for three years and was immediately drawn to serving the community. He serves through many facets including his active role in the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, his employment as a student support specialist with Communities in Schools, his residence on the board for Community Boys and Girls Club and now as an active BYP member with StepUp Wilmington.

Through his work in the community, Dalvonte hopes to play a big role in the development of equity in Wilmington as well as ensure equality for all residents.

“StepUp Wilmington is a true leader in giving people the know-how’s, tools, connections, opportunities and the hope needed for a better tomorrow. Everyone deserves the same chance and SUW does its part to give people that chance.”

During his tenure on the BYP, Dalvonte hopes to grow as a leader and become a connection between the board and the community.

“I would love for the impact of StepUp Wilmington’s BYP to be felt in the city as we continue to grow a strong network of young professionals.”

A founding member of StepUp Wilmington’s Board of Young Professionals, Dalvonte is on the BYP Leadership Team and co-chairs the Marketing and Development Committee. The committee’s first big event, StepUp Wilmington’s Annual Volleyball Tournament, is taking place on June 1^st.

If you would like to create a team, donate a raffle item or learn more, please reach out to Deshay Becton at deshay@stepupwilmington.org.

We’re so excited to have Dalvonte join us in our mission and can’t wait to see what he, and the rest of the BYP, accomplishes this year!

StepUp Wilmington loves to celebrate its employer and community partners! Without them, we would not be able to assist nearly as many of our neighbors looking for work.

Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity is a special connection because they are both an employer and community partner! The organization works to produce affordable housing in Wilmington to break the cycle of individuals who are paying more than what they make for rent each month. Affordable and stable housing directly produces reduced reliance on government assistance, poverty and improved mental and physical health.

When it comes to Cape Fear Habitat’s partnership with SUW, Director of Finance and Operations, Lauren Isaacson, says, “StepUp Wilmington provides this community with one of Cape Fear Habitat’s most valuable resources, our staff.” She continues, “We can rely on StepUp to produce candidates who are motivated, skilled and also have a strong sense of community which is important in a non-profit culture.”

Isaacson recently hired StepUp Wilmington graduate Marjorie Dickey as an Accounting and Loan Coordinator at Habitat.

“She comes to work everyday with a positive attitude, professionalism and drive to serve this community,” Lauren says. “The confidence and hope that StepUp provides through their programs are a valuable asset in any employee. We look forward to her growing in her role and advancing in this organization.”

Looking for employees? StepUp Wilmington has a community of qualified, trained and pre-screened candidates ready to work! Reach out to Ally (ally@stepupwilmington.org) to learn more.

In May of 2018, Kamisha relocated to Wilmington from New York City to care for her mother. While she was prepared for the change in scenery, she was not prepared for the lack of job opportunities or the lack of public transportation that could get her to available employers. Although Kamisha had ample experience and a resume to prove it, these barriers made it difficult to prosper. But she came to StepUp Wilmington and she did just that.

“I found out about StepUp Wilmington at Independence Mall after Hurricane Florence hit. They had a table set up at the old Sears location which was being used as a Hurricane Relief center.”

After speaking with our team at the event, Kamisha began Jobs Week and the rest is history.

“The program is great for building interview skills, resume restructuring and personal development. The volunteers were awesome, some providing testimonials of how StepUp Wilmington has helped them in their own career.”

Kamisha’s newly learned skills were put to the test during Job Connections, where a representative from StepUp Wilmington’s employer partner, Verizon Wireless, was so impressed with her that they invited her to interview.

“Once you land an interview, the counselors at StepUp Wilmington also take the time to do a mock interview, which for me really took the edge off before going on my initial interview. StepUp Wilmington even provided a quiet space for me to take my assessment, which led to my phone interview.

The interview and screening process were long, but Kamisha finally got the job she was striving for and deserved.

“I’m training to be a Customer Specialist at Verizon Wireless. It’s challenging but I enjoy it, and it’s a great company to work for.  I’m also enrolled to get my Master’s through their tuition reimbursement program and I’m very excited about that!”

“My experience at StepUp Wilmington was great for career and personal development. I would encourage everyone to come to StepUp Wilmington. It’s definitely worth their time and effort.”

Congratulations to Kamisha!

If you or someone you know is ready to find gainful employment, let us help! Give us a call at (910) 343-8469.

Maureen didn’t know what to expect coming to StepUp Wilmington. In the last year, Maureen’s life had completely upended: “In January, I lost my house. My marriage collapsed. I was diagnosed with a health condition that caused me to lose my job. And the bills kept piling up.” When Maureen’s daughter moved to Wilmington, she decided to follow and start over somewhere new.

But a job didn’t come easy — until she found StepUp Wilmington. Beyond learning how to interview, Maureen said she was most grateful for her relationship with her Employment Counselor: “I always knew Bennett was there for me. I knew I was supported. That’s huge. I’ve never had that, not in my whole life.”

When landed an interview for a job she was truly excited about, she put her training to use: “I learned through StepUp to go the extra mile and research the company. During my second interview, I recited the company’s pledge to my interviewer, and I saw her light up.” Maureen went through six interviews, holding out hope and always referencing her StepUp book for both advice and words of encouragement. And last week, she came in to proudly ring the Jobs Bell!

Before she was even hired for the position, Maureen started studying QuickBooks, a necessary skill in the job. She’s been working with a tutor from Cape Fear Literacy Council (CFLC), who will continue to support her as she grows into her new role. We’re so grateful for our continuing education partners and the work they do to provide our community with the skills needed to thrive.

What does a job mean to Maureen? “This past year has given me a whole new perspective. I just want to pay my bills, live a little, and be secure.” She’s on her way!

Do you know your local living wage? At StepUp Wilmington, we urge employers in New Hanover County and beyond to support their employees by offering a living wage. A living wage is the hourly pay that is needed to support a single person or a family’s annual expenses like food, daycare, housing and more.

The living wage in New Hanover County, according to the Living Wage Calculator by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is about $12.32 for a single adult. This number nearly triples to $29.28 for a five-person family or single parent household. The calculator confirms that employers may be unaware that they are providing wages that equate to the poverty line or below, thus making it difficult for their employees to rise above their challenges, regardless of being employed.

StepUp Wilmington aims to educate others and diminish the poverty occurring in our community. If you or someone you know is an employer that is interested in joining our initiative to promote living wages for our neighbors, contact Ally (ally@stepupwilmington.org).

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

Welcome Andrew Cooke to StepUp’s Board of Directors!

Andrew began his journey with StepUp Wilmington in 2016 when current Board Member, Michael McWhorter, asked him to volunteer as a co-partner at StepUp’s life skills program, Step2. Here, Andrew has helped to facilitate financial literacy classes during Phase Two for the past few years, where he has developed a strong passion for the organization, stating, “The work StepUp does matters and makes an impact.”

In describing what inspires him most about SUW, he explains, “Participating in Life Skills is a great experience.  Everyone is a family during these Wednesday evenings – from dinner, to a prayer to start the session, to participants and volunteers mentioning something they are happy about since the last week, to discussing topics that help both participants and volunteers grow.  It’s a special thing.”

During his tenure, Andrew is most looking forward to helping the organization grow and continuing to make a positive difference in the community and people’s lives. “It all goes back to the Bible – Give a man a fish and he eats for a day but teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime.”