May is Community Action Month and STEPS Inc., your community action agency, wants to thank you for partnering with us.

Our mission statement, “STEPS leads, coordinates, creates and delivers quality opportunities to impact self-sufficiency and reduce poverty throughout our region,” keeps us focused. Simply put, we help people struggling with barriers conquer their obstacles and better their lives.

Community Action Agencies (CAAs) fill a huge need across the country. More than 1,000 agencies annually support over 15 million people and more than 6 million families.

In 2014, Governor McAuliffe designated STEPS as the community action agency to assist individuals and families in Amelia, Buckingham, Cumberland, Lunenburg, Nottoway and Prince Edward counties. Last year, STEPS provided services to 1,600 citizens in need through an expanded footprint of service in 12 counties, reaching from Goochland to Mecklenburg.

Working with you, we are breaking poverty barriers facing those on a wide spectrum of needs.

We can, as funding permits, help a mother of four with no family support find shelter through our housing program; assist an elderly couple about to have their electricity cut off through Energy Share (a partnership with Dominion Energy); connect seniors with job training opportunities in the Title V program; provide employment for those with mental or physical challenges, building pride and accomplishment; connect those in rural areas with the hub of community activities with transportation; assist the Town of Farmville, Prince Edward County, Hampden-Sydney College and surrounding businesses achieve recycling goals; keep confidential information safe when destroyed through our secure document shredding operation and help children and families overcome poverty barriers through Head Start.

We are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other through outreach.

But we are not alone. Local, regional, state and federal partnerships, along with caring individuals support our programs. Working together, we are rippling the pond.

Changing one life today; affecting many others tomorrow and beyond.

CAAs have a tripartite board structure that includes representatives from the low-income community, locally elected officials and public and private stakeholders. We appreciate all of those who voluntarily serve on our board and give of themselves. Volunteers strengthen our connection with the communities we serve and those we help.

We also appreciate the financial contributions counties, towns and individuals invest to accomplish our work. We take seriously the trust you have placed in us to ensure your donations are used wisely. Thank you for recognizing the need in your community and partnering with us. Together, we are making a difference.

Solving many of the challenging issues facing our communities will take time and teamwork. Working together, we can sew seeds that will grow successful lives.

SHARON HARRUP is the President & CEO of STEPS Inc.. STEPS’ corporate offices are located at 225 Industrial Park Road in Farmville. For more information on any program, contact STEPS at (434)315- 5909 or email Sharon at sharrup@STEPS-inc.org.