StepUp Greensboro’s mission is to advance economic mobility by creating a path to self-sufficiency. StepUp Greensboro provides job readiness training and support for individuals who are unemployed, underemployed, homeless, criminal justice involved and/or education challenged. Their offerings include classes on job readiness, life skills, money management, and character development.
The Nurturing Equity grant allowed StepUp to provide transportation and meals to participants to ensure there were no barriers to engaging with the weekly training programs. While their internal data allows StepUp to record each individual’s progress with trainings attended and sustained employment, the organization uses a “Compassionate Accountability” approach in which staff and participants develop relationships.
“Participants amaze us with their resilience and determination. We witness transformation as they put their new skills and knowledge to work for them,” said StepUp Greensboro Development Director John Whisnant.
Recently, Jamilla Pinder, Director of Community Engagement and Impact at Cone Health Foundation, met with Anthony Bass, StepUp’s executive director, to discuss their partnership programs, which includes a mental health specialist working with their clients around emotional health – exciting to see them address this barrier to employment! Moreover, StepUp Greensboro’s community partners continue to increase, including partnering with nonprofits that are also addressing racial equity in our community.
