About StepUp Greensboro
StepUp Greensboro is a non-profit community of diverse faiths that partners with adults and children in the shared goal of stable lives through job training.
Why?
We believe that anyone can change his or her life when given the opportunity and time. With the hundreds of men and women we have worked with, we have learned that people can and want to change. StepUp Greensboro’s process provides an opportunity for participants to transform their lives.
Who?
We work with disadvantaged, low-income, jobless, underemployed, and homeless individuals and their families. Our Job Readiness program participants must be 18+ years old, free of substance abuse and domestic violence, have no pending criminal charges, and be able to present a Social Security card.
What?
The first step is a job. Our week-long Job Readiness program teaches skills that enable participants to find, land and keep a job.
How?
Compassionate Accountability. StepUp offers a hand-up, not a handout. We develop relationships that support our participants while strengthening and requiring their personal accountability.
Our Vision and Values
- We believe every person has the right to work and access a better life.
- We believe that people can change if they have the desire and will.
- We acknowledge that empowerment is a far more powerful strategy for change and success than enabling.
- We expect honesty, discipline, and fairness in ourselves and others.
- We encourage accountability and responsibility from all involved.
- We honor diversity and understand that every individual has a voice.
- We are committed to collaboration with others because few problems can be solved alone.
- We strive to be careful stewards of human and financial resources.
Our History
StepUp Greensboro, originally named Reach Out First, was incorporated as a 501 (c) (3) in 2011 by members of First Presbyterian Church in Greensboro, under the leadership of Dr. Sheron Sumner. For the first four years, we served homeless and needy people in our community through meals, shelter, and clothing programs.
Recognizing the need to have programs that changed lives, enabled employment, and moved people toward more stable lives, our focus changed to preparing unemployed people for jobs. Our Job Readiness Program modeled on StepUp Ministry’s proven work in Raleigh, is designed to support behavior change, focus on job skills, and finding and keeping jobs to enable stability.
This successful program and the support of employer partners, volunteers, and community members have transformed the lives of our participants.