Step by Step

As Step by Step approaches its fifteenth anniversary in 2003, participation in the Schoenbaum Family Enrichment Center helps the organization reassert its roots in family advocacy. The Lincoln County based organization's mission is to work with people "to become advocates for themselves and leaders in their communities." Step by Step emerged from a writing group of children in foster care in 1988 and quickly grew to support a statewide youth leadership presence in children and family policy. It has supported a youth caucus of members and attendees of the Families First Council since 1994, organizes the teen led workshop track at the annual Family Leadership Converence and supports youth and family participation in Children's Issues Day at the Legislature and West Virginia teen participation in Save the Children's Appalachian Teen Leadership group.

Since 1995, Step by Step has emerged as a leader in community education in the state through its development of the Big Ugly Community Center and its programs including Lincoln County's longest continuously running after school and summer programs (since 1996), and the nationally recognized arts program, Bridge of Dreams. As the West Virginia partner for Save the Children, Step by Step coordinates sponsorship and recources including Americorps and VISTA for community based groups.

In 2001, Step by Step's flagship program, West Virginia Dreamers, was recognized as one of 19 "hometown solutions", nationwide held up as community development models by the Pew Partnerships' Wanted: Solutions for America initiative. Through the Dreamers, community members make the commitment to help children and youth pursue their dreams throughout their growing up years. Each year "dreamers" participate in the program they earn a $50 scholarship that is placed in an educational trust fund for their post secondary education. Dreamers groups have developed programs in resiliency, arts (dulcimer, songwriting, fiddle, theater, and visual arts), humanities and recreation. We also host a monthly Saturday enrichment series that will bring together children and youth from the coalfields and Kanawha County.

Finally, Step by Step will use its FEC office to host other family and rural community advocates who need a home base while working in Charleston. This brings the organization full circle to its early days when it was taken under wing by the late children's advocate Florette Angel who provided sanctuary for emerging family advocacy efforts through the Children's Policy Institute. Individuals and groups are welcome to join the WV Youth and Family Coalition and have a place to check e-mail, get messages, make copies or send faxes, when their advocacy work brings them to the state capital.

Visit our website, wvdreamers.org.

Step By Step
Schoenbaum Family Enrichment Center
1701 5th Avenue Box # 8
Charleston, WV 25312
(304) 414-4452
(304) 414-4451 (fax)

Step by Step:
(304) 414-4452
(304) 414-4451 (fax)