StepUp Ministry celebrates decades of mentorship, helping people to find their place in the world

A 3-step mentorship program continues to provide opportunity for those struggling to find their place in the world.

The Step-Up Ministry in Raleigh, through the support of White Memorial Presbyterian Church, celebrates 34 years of service and it’s 13th annual "Impact Luncheon" fundraiser.

The program has given Donna Farrar the confidence that she controls her own future. That’s not how she felt 11 years ago. "I was starting over. I had just been released from prison," said Farrar.

Then she learned about the StepUp Ministry in Raleigh. She said, "I was like, 'Hey, I’ll give it a shot,' because I had an open mind at that point because I didn’t want to go back to the same people, places and things."

Patrick Bryant was 33 and sleeping in his mother’s living room when she suggested he try the 48-week job skills program.

He had his doubts. "Another one of those programs that were just going to consume my time and I wasn’t really going to find any value out of it," said Bryant.

He took the chance and moved from being an employee to an entrepreneur. "I’m running my own life insurance business, so without this program, I would not be doing none of this stuff," said Bryant.

Colisha C. Stanford, with 15 years as executive director of the StepUp Ministry, said "Our vision is to be a safe, thriving community where people have stability, they have equal opportunity and they can find their purpose."

Stanford calls it a program of "second chances" that connects people of all ages to resources and helps them achieve financial stability.

Farrar is now a re-entry employer engagement counselor. "I connect with employees to help find equitable employment for returning citizens," said Farrar. She is also a published author, a podcaster, a Christian life coach, plus, she recently got married.

Stanford and the program’s mentors say the process of training can be emotional and heartwarming. "We believe that God is embedded in everything that we do here at StepUp, and it’s just amazing to see people reach their potential and to see them achieve the goals that they want to achieve in life."