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Two recent letters to the editor have suggested that STEPS is an “inept” and ineffective organization, citing “mismanagement” of Madeline’s House as evidence. Mr. Babbage (8/16) suggests that despite the chatter, STEPS will never raise the funds to reopen Madeline’s House. The Layne Street coalition (8/26) agrees, citing this as evidence of STEPS’ “mismanagement” of Madeline’s House and theorizing that even if STEPS managed to construct their proposed Layne Street facility, the project would soon collapse, leaving the community and the town “crisis-stricken”.

This cynicism seems to me unfair and untrue. Let’s look at a few relevant facts. First, STEPS management of Madeline’s House is entirely different from management of the old Madeline’s House that closed in 2022. Instead of being criticized by mistaken association, STEPS should be applauded for proactively addressing a critical need to shelter and support victims of domestic violence by winning local, state and federal support.

This leads us to a second set of facts. For starters, contrary to Mr. Babbage’s doubts, STEPS has had an active domestic violence program operating for nine months while simultaneously fund raising and purchasing a shelter. In 2023, they hired a highly experienced program director, Linda Williams, who has for most of a year been dealing with a substantial case load while developing the program.

Secondly, STEPS will celebrate the full reopening of Madeline’s House next week with a keynote address by Senator Warner, who supported a successful STEPS grant for $949,000. The scope and speed of this resurrection of Madeline’s House reflects the trust that STEPS has earned at all levels. It has earned this credibility and support not only for its good intentions but also for its competence in getting good things done. For this, it deserves our support too.

Ellery Sedgwick

Farmville