Member Spotlight – STEPMC
Steps to End Poverty of McPherson County (STEPMC) was created by a group of McPherson city leaders who took on the task to fight poverty and build relationships with individuals and their families in our county who were struggling with poverty. Relationships that would not only help strengthen these individuals but also provide someone to walk alongside them as they overcame poverty. STEPMC was founded in 2010 and their office is located at 1200 E. Kansas Avenue in the First United Methodist Church.
The mission of STEPMC is to build relationships that transform lives and move our community beyond poverty. This is accomplished by volunteers, community leaders, and organizations who come alongside STEPMC participants. Since forming in 2010 the impact on our community and county has been big.
STEPMC Executive Director Angela Brunk said, “We keep data on people going through our program. Since we started in 2010, we have had 93 adults and 70 children we’ve brought out of poverty. And it’s not just poverty. It’s 200% above the federal poverty guideline. So, like for an individual, the federal poverty guideline is around $15-16,000, so we want them to be at $32,000. So, we want them to not be just like – getting by. We want them to be flourishing and doing well. So, that’s our goal and every time we bring somebody out of poverty, it saves our community $22,500 per person per year.”
The STEPMC program is pretty unique in how it is run. There are two phases to the program. The first phase involves the people who are experiencing poverty coming in to a weekly class that lasts about six months. During those classes, they go through a book, but Rebekah Darrah, STEPMC McPherson Coach, says the magic happens within the discussions they get to have with the STEPMC volunteers and the connections with the community that are built there. Participants coming into the first phase are called “Getting Ahead Investigators” – because they’re investigating the world around them. Rebekah says it’s a great way for them to enter the program, and upon graduation, they have the opportunity to move on to Phase Two of the STEPMC program. STEPMC Moundridge Coach Alyssa Pollman explained more about Phase Two. She said, “So Phase Two is kind of what I like to say is where ALL the magic happens and where your whole life like transforms.” This part of the program is an 18-month commitment in which volunteers of the middle class come be partners and they walk alongside the graduates while they set achievable goals for themselves – personal, financial, and economical. Those who have opted to participate in the Phase Two part of the program are called Leaders. This is because they are leaders of their own life and Rebekah said, “They lead us to learn a lot too!”
So, what are some different ways YOU could get involved with STEPMC? Donations are always appreciated. Angela said, “We have meal providers. So, every week we break bread together and we think that’s really important. And that builds our communities.” There are also opportunities to volunteer by being a partner or facilitator for the Getting Ahead class. STEPMC will be having a garage sale sometime this summer. So, if you have some spring cleaning to do, this would be a great opportunity to clean out those cupboards and closets and donate those unwanted items to their garage sale. AND don’t forget Taco Tuesday, which is on April 29th at the Trinity Lutheran Church, 119 E. Elm. They will be serving lunch from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and dinner from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. You can also place “to go” orders for Taco Tuesday by going to the STEPMC Facebook page and scanning the QR Code to place your order and select a pickup time.
Steps To End Poverty in McPherson County is located at 1200 E. Kansas Avenue in the First United Methodist Church. Their hours are Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., closed Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. You can contact them by calling 620-241-9011 or visiting the STEPMC website for more information. OR you can check out their Facebook page for updates on events and to see what’s happening! Thank you, STEPMC, for all you do for our community and McPherson County. You are appreciated! To see photos of Chamber Connections hosted by STEPMC visit the McPherson Chamber Facebook page.