“I found StepUp—not because I was desperate, but because I wanted more.”

As she worked through our Empower 48 Life Skills Program, Sianna L. finally felt seen and understood. She made friends who supported her, found mentors who challenged her, and received resources to support her daughter. Today, StepUp Ambassador Sianna is one semester away from earning her college degree, she owns a successful jewelry design business, and her daughter is thriving.

“StepUp didn’t just teach me skills—it gave me the vision and courage to build a completely new life.”

When Timothy joined our Empower 48 Life Skills Program, he was ready to make a change—but he never imagined just how far his dreams would take him. Fast forward to today—StepUp Ambassador Timothy is the proud owner of a thriving dog grooming business right here in Durham. Every day, he puts the tools he gained at StepUp into practice: casting vision, setting clear goals, and living with purpose. He’s not just grooming dogs—he’s building the life he once only dared to dream.

When SaQuon joined our Employment Academy, his past was holding him back from the future he wanted.

He came into the StepUp community with a pending charge…

Sa’Niya W. is a middle schooler who has found a safe and supportive place in StepUp Ministry's Youth and Young Adult Program. Sa'Niya and her family are soon-to-be graduates of StepUp’s Empower 48 Program, a 48-week program designed for individuals and families seeking to build a stable future through accountability, mentorship, and personal development…

When Marcus P. was a rising junior in high school, he was invited to check out StepUp’s Real World Program by his friend. Eager to acquire business skills and intrigued by the positive things he had heard about the teen program, Marcus decided to give Real World a try.

When LaRonda M. first started StepUp, she thought it might be a waste of time. Having been part of many programs, she was skeptical of starting a new one because she was sick of all the false starts and false hope. But, after hearing about StepUp from our partner InterAct, she worked to complete her first phase of StepUp and changed her mindset tremendously.

With five small children and working long, tiring hours, Ashley H. did not have the work-life balance she craved. She felt the burden of everything and everyone depending on her and faced major challenges after losing her employment and having to move due to safety reasons. Then she heard about StepUp.

VIDEO: Bobby Harrington shares the story of how he got back in the game with StepUp Ministry.

“Thanks to StepUp, I am a more polished professional now. After eight months of searching and failing on my own, I was offered two great job opportunities within a week, starting with StepUp. Now, I’m happily employed and able to support my family.”

Five-year-old Makenzie H. is very confident in the reasons why she loves StepUp Ministry’s Children’s Program. “I like playing with toys, playing with my friends, and playing outside. I like to have fun and love to learn about EVERYTHING! It is super fun!! We get to have dinner, learn about all types of things, meet new people, and make new friends!”

Collin discovered StepUp Ministry after quitting a job he found unfulfilling and draining. “My last job did not see value in me…

As a child, Jordan was enrolled in StepUp Ministry’s Children’s Program when his mother became part of our Life Skills Program…

Nickia B. is currently employed at Duke University School of Medicine, but her story did not begin there – she first learned about StepUp Ministry from her probation officer…

Shannon B. had a strong, loving upbringing where she and her 7 siblings were supported well by her mom and dad.

However, tragedy struck when she was 15 years old: her dad died…

Serenity H. J. overcame losing her job, the loss of her mother, and homelessness through the support of StepUp Ministry…

VIDEO: When Patrick B. first came to StepUp Ministry, he was approaching life without a strategy or vision: “My mentality was out of sight, out of mind. I was winging life.”

Eva N. is currently employed in the healthcare division of the Veterans Affairs (VA).

And it was at StepUp Ministry that Eva paved the pathway to this job…

VIDEO: Before Donna F. came to StepUp Ministry, she was making a dollar a day, sleeping on a hard bunk, and living in a secured trailer with 20-plus other women: “I literally had nothing but a renewed mindset.”

Amonie H. is 8 years old and attends StepUp with her mom and three siblings. When asked about life before StepUp, she shares this: “It was fun, but it has definitely been more fun now.”

Alexa C. first came to StepUp Ministry because her mom sent her.

However, after spending more time in the Real World Program, she wanted to come…