DIRECT SERVICE PROGRAMS

STEPS (Service Training, Education and Participant Support – Each year the S.T.E.P.S. program helps approximately 70 low-income women regain their self-esteem, learn new or improve their life skills and take steps toward self-sufficiency. Program is conducted in English and Spanish.

Program Description – The S.T.E.P.S. program was developed and implemented in 1992 to teach young mothers using food pantries how to use the basic ingredients received in the bags.  S.T.E.P.S. is a program that addresses the second half of the Food Bank mission statement to end hunger by engaging, educating and empowering the community.

S.T.E.P.S. uses existing Westchester County community resources and expertise to help low - income females with children, reduce their dependency on emergency food programs by building a foundation of self reliance and encouraging the first or next "STEPS" toward self sufficiency.  The S.T.E.P.S. Program (Services, Training, Education, and Participant Support) incorporates food assistance and nutrition education with a curriculum of classes in life skills, education completion/job readiness and self - esteem enhancement. STEPS are conducted in both English and Spanish.

S.T.E.P.S - ORGAN1ZATION / CURRICULUM        

A STEPS series consists of 10 meetings, held once a week for ten weeks. Each class meets on the same day of the week, between 9:00am and 2:00pm. Childcare is provided at the same site, but away from the mothers. The childcare worker is usually a STEPS graduate. Very often, this is a first paying job.

The following barriers have been identified to moving toward self – sufficiency:

• Lack of English proficiency
• Lack of basic education (reading, writing)
• Lack of adequate and affordable child care
• Lack of transportation
• Lack of adequate housing
• Lack of support system to encourage and help in emergency
• Lack of self esteem
• Unidentified mental health problems such as depression

The goals of the STEPS program are: to help low income women with children, gain control over various aspects of their lives, including their money, their family's nutrition, and the way they raise their children; to increase participants self- esteem; and to connect participants in an effective manner to jobs, job training and educational programs.

STEPS produces results. It provides the participants the tools to take steps to break the cycle of dependency. For the non English-speaking participants STEPS does all of the above and also acclimates participants to their new surroundings and provides tools to better survive in this new culture. This program is successful because it is small, local and sets achievable goals while enhancing self- esteem.

Our experience indicates that STEPS is an excellent first step into the working/ mainstream world. The majority of STEPS graduates tends to have better coping skills and will continue to forge ahead despite setbacks. Approximately 70% of S.T.E.P.S graduates go on to take steps toward self- sufficiency.

For more information about the STEPS program please contact Maria Aguirre, STEPS Coordinator, or Ferne Bordash, Manager, Direct Service Programs at 914-923-1100 or e-mail Maria Aguirre at maria.Aguirre@foodbankforwestchester.org or Ferne Bordash at ferne.bordash@foodbankforwestchester.org