On this page:

• General Information
• Program Description
• Participant Information
• Volunteer Information
• News from L-STEP

General Information

• Days of Operation: Tuesdays and Thursdays
• Hours of Operations: 5:30pm–8:00pm
• Volunteer Hours: Varies
• Volunteer Contact: J, xmLSTEP@gmail.com (NOTE: NEW email address!)
• Program Calendar:
  • L-STEP runs for 13 weeks/25 sessions
  • Fall and Spring semesters

Program Description

Mission Statement:

The Life-Skills Training & Empowerment Program (L-STEP) is dedicated to empowering individuals who have experienced homelessness to clearly identify and pursue new paths toward more fulfilling lives.

During an intense 13-week program combining inspiration, intrapersonal development and practical tools, L-STEP helps participants set personalized goals and develop the resolve to achieve those goals through a program of relevant life-skills workshops, one-to-one mentoring, and peer support.

Upon completion of the program, graduates are equipped to move forward with their lives, and are connected with specialized programs that can take them still further toward the realization of their ultimate ambitions.

Description:
L-STEP sessions are comprised of three primary components:

• Life-Skills Workshops: Guest speakers lead discussions on important life-skills topics including goal-setting, personal empowerment, employment, money management, healthy living and education.
• Personal Mentoring: Each participant works one-on-one with a volunteer mentor to set short and long-term goals and the plans to achieve those goals.  Mentors also help participants incorporate the lessons discussed in the workshop sessions into their own lives.
• Stepping Stones: Participants share their personal stories and life goals with each other, their mentors and the group facilitators as a way to reinforce positive behavior, diminish negative behavior and commit to specific goals.  Toward the program’s conclusion, participants share their stories and goals with an audience of family, friends, parishioners and other members of the community in an evening known as Stepping Stones.  The presentations are followed by a Graduation ceremony.

Please download L-STEP Frequently Asked Questions and the L-STEP Program Overview for a more in-depth look at L-STEP.

Participant Information

Potential participants MUST:

• Be referred by a case manager or program director for admittance.  Unaffiliated persons may inquire individually and will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
• Complete an intake and interview with the L-STEP facilitator(s).
• Be in a transitional state of homelessness: more specifically, living in temporary housing (shelter, SRO, etc.) while in the process of finding permanent housing
• Have at least 6 months sobriety (and in a maintenance program if applicable)
• Be 21 years of age or older
• Possess mental acuity consistent with the level of functioning necessary to participate in all elements of L-STEP
• Have a desire to move forward in life; eager to set goals and create a plan to achieve those goals
• Have a willingness to share one’s story and be supportive of others in similar situations

Participants receive the following benefits of participation:

• A home-cooked meal shared with the group each evening
• A $10 stipend for each session attended
• A round-trip MetroCard for each session attended

Volunteer Information

Volunteers are needed each semester for programmatic as well as administrative roles.

Program Volunteers:

• Facilitators: 1-2 facilitators attend and facilitate each session, complete paperwork, and interview candidates
  Please view L-STEP Facilitator Role for more information about facilitating.
• Mentors: Mentors attend seven Thursday night sessions over the course of the semester and work one-on-one with a participant on goal-setting & achievement
  Please view L-STEP Mentor Responsibilities and L-STEP Mentors: Things to Consider for more information about mentoring.
  
• Workshop Presenters: Workshop Presenters attend one scheduled session to present information on a topic relevant to the needs of the participants.

Administrative Volunteers:

• Please view L-STEP Administrative Volunteer Opportunities for more information about our admin positions

News from L-STEP