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Maureen will be the first one to tell you that she owes her recent successes to a number of individuals in the Wilmington community who believed in and invested in her. “It really took a village ever since I stepped foot in Wilmington to get me the opportunities I’ve gotten; I’m so beyond grateful.”

The arts are dear to Maureen’s heart. She worked as a theatre manager in Connecticut, and when she lost her job and moved to North Carolina in 2018 to be with her daughter, she naturally gravitated toward the historic Thalian Hall downtown. Maureen began volunteering and soon befriended the executive director, Tony Rivenbark. But when an error pertaining to unemployment paperwork made officially working at Thalian difficult, and with Hurricane Florence striking at roughly the same time, Maureen knew she had a choice: she could either look for another job or create her own job. So, she chose both.

While she was struggling with interviews, Maureen was simultaneously taking an online course on salesmanship to create her own business. Though she wasn’t initially sure what she wanted to sell, she knew that “whoever comes to my website has to leave it with a smile.”

Meanwhile, Maureen’s job search had led her to StepUp Wilmington. “I knew how to interview in Connecticut, but I didn’t know how to interview in North Carolina. I was petrified. But the mock interview process was helpful! I realized how much I had learned from Job’s Week because by the time I finished, I felt much more confident!” After StepUp, Maureen was offered and accepted a position at CertaPro Painters. But Maureen wasn’t done yet; she still had her own business to get off the ground.

“StepUp regularly checks in on me to see if I’m still doing okay, so I asked my Talent Manager if he or anyone else at StepUp knew of any classes about small business management.” Her Talent Manager led Maureen to Cape Fear Community College’s Small Business Center, where Maureen quickly met its director, Jerry Coleman. Thanks to Jerry’s mentorship, Maureen soon met Christine Vera of WordJack Media. And after some advice, Maureen knew what she wanted to sell: bowties for pets! She found an American-based manufacturer, and when she expressed discomfort with the social media and technological side of the business, Jerry and Christine worked to get Maureen a grant that would include assistance with social media operations for six months. “I give all of these amazing people credit.”

“Go with the process that [StepUp Wilmington] shares with you,” Maureen said. “It was a humbling process. I was very much a ‘I don’t need anyone’s help person’, but everyone at StepUp said ‘let me help you.’ To anyone struggling, let the people that are there who want to share the tools guide you. Let them give you confidence!”

Regardless of if you are someone who is just looking for a job, or if you have a great idea to start your own business but don’t know where to start, contact us at StepUp Wilmington and let us work with you to make your dream reality!

For six years, Ashley worked as a Certified Medical Assistant at Wilmington Health. But after years of working there, she felt that she was stagnating and that her skills weren’t being used as fully as they could be. “I just needed room for growth. I wanted to use my skill set on a broader level.”

But after having worked there for so many years, Ashley found that reentering the process of interviewing and updating her resume was proving to be more difficult than she’d anticipated. This was made all the more difficult by the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic meant that the interview process for every job she applied to had gone virtual, something that Ashley was not prepared for. “I was clueless about a lot of it.”

When StepUp Wilmington was suggested to Ashley, she leapt at the chance to learn more. “Everyone at StepUp was very helpful, even down to the volunteers. I was thankful that there were people who took their own time to be there and to help me with mock interviews and other things.” Ashley found that the workshops focusing on how to answer questions during an interview were among the most helpful for her. “I used to guess on interview questions, but [StepUp] made me realize that ‘I’ am the answer. I’ve been in many of these situations they ask about, so they showed me how I can use my experience to answer the questions. I got high praises on my resume and interviews everywhere I applied after that!”

Ashley shared that she owed a lot to her Talent Manager, Alicia, specifically. “I have a habit of taking things personally, sometimes. But [Alicia] always told me ‘it’s not personal’ when an interview doesn’t go well. She told me that ‘the job I want will come to me.’ I’m thankful for that because I was ready to give up. Alicia kept me motivated.”

After her time with StepUp Wilmington, Ashley was offered and accepted a position at New Hanover Regional Medical Center. She felt that she’d finally found a good fit. “This position was everything I wanted and how I wanted to work. I can see myself in leadership roles now, whereas past jobs had me thinking I wasn’t ready.”

“I’ve been telling a lot of people about StepUp,” Ashley said. “I just let them know that it’s a program that will show you how to present yourself. In my short week with them I learned so much about myself that I really didn’t know. You just have to put yourself out there.”

“I am a worker. I love to work,” said Morghann, a past candidate of StepUp Wilmington. Since graduating from the University of North Carolina Wilmington with a Communication degree, Morghann has worked in journalism with WECT, and as a radio DJ and Director of Marketing and Promotions with Sunrise Broadcast. And when COVID struck, resulting in her losing her job with Sunrise, she started a cleaning business to keep the bills paid, Morghann’s Meticulous Maid Service.

But, as successful as her cleaning business had proven to be, Morghann was still on the look for a new, steady position. “It was tough; I applied for at least 40 jobs. I was on Indeed, LinkedIn, everything.” Her mom works at the Help Hub in the Harrelson Center, downstairs from StepUp Wilmington’s office, so when Morghann hit a wall, her mom recommended StepUp’s services. “At that point, there was no saying ‘no’ to anything.”

Morghann admits that when she first came to StepUp, she didn’t have the most open mind about the experience. But she also admits that working with StepUp’s Talent Managers was more enlightening than she had expected. “I ended up gaining a lot more than I ever thought I would. Their help with mock interviews really sharpened my skills.”

Morghann also shared that, even after completing Jobs Week, “my Talent Manager, Ashley, stood by my side every step of the way. We had Google Meet chats, she coached me, and she used her contacts to find me job opportunities.” Thanks to the assistance she received, Morghann was offered a position as a Site Payments Associate with PPD after a little under a month. “I couldn’t have done it without [Ashley]; she was a godsend.”

“As a person who had an extensive work background, in my mind I thought I had the perfect resume and perfect cover letter; why did I need more help? But COVID’s effect on the job market made me realize that it’s never wrong to continue to work toward your future and better opportunities. Never think you have everything perfect; you can always learn so much more.”

If you or someone you know is looking to broaden their skills and learn more about how they can score a fulfilling job, contact us at StepUp Wilmington to see how we can best support you.

If you’re someone who gets nervous when it comes to interviewing for a job, don’t worry, you’re far from alone. A survey has found that 92% of Americans are stressed by at least one thing or another when it comes to the process of job interviews.

Before coming to StepUp Wilmington, Felisha would definitely say that she was part of that 92%.

Today, Felisha’s working a fulfilling job and is enrolled at Cape Fear Community College working toward an associate’s degree in Business Administration. But getting to where she is now wasn’t always the easiest journey for her. After being laid off from her position at a law firm, Felisha found that after a nearly decade-long absence from the job search, she’d grown a bit rusty when it came to knowing how to ace the interview. “I just needed to understand what I was doing wrong,” Felisha said. After a chance meeting with a StepUp Talent Manager while searching for a new job, Felisha learned about the organization’s Jobs Week. “I’m someone who is always open for a change; just tell me something new.”

After taking a chance on StepUp, Felisha found that it was exactly what she needed. “[StepUp] was very helpful. Hearing first hand advice from local employers at presentations was great. Their classes taught me how to respond to questions, and how to nail my elevator pitch.”

After graduating from StepUp, Felisha was able to conquer the dreaded panel interview and secure a new job. “I give credit not only to myself but to StepUp. I would recommend them to anyone who wants to work. If you apply yourself 100%, you will get something out of it. No matter what you have or haven’t done, you can pull skills out of it.”

Are you looking for work or a job? Contact StepUp Wilmington to learn how to get an interview, how to impress during the interview, and so much more.

Learn how StepUp ILM has pivoted to address economic development during COVID-19.
stepupwilmington.org/for-participants/get-started-2/

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.