Step by Step

A Quarterly Newsletter/Issue 2

Happy Spring!  As vaccines are administered, we look forward with hope to a more normal year ahead, including warm hugs we all have missed. We will be forever changed by the events of last year and the devastating effects of Covid-19.   At Step Up Parents, we are reminded daily of the importance of family in hard times and of the heroes among us.

Meet our Heroes

Kinship caregivers are loved one who are stepping up in record numbers for our most vulnerable children - those without a responsible parent or safe place to live.   We’d like to recognize two of these amazing heroes…

Scholarship Awarded

We awarded our first annual Step Up Parents Scholarship to Nevaeh Petruzzi.  She is a student at Exeter High School and will be attending Wheaton College in the fall.  We wish Nevaeh all the best in her college career.

Our Families

Since the start of the year, Step Up Parents has given aid to 30 deserving families, bringing our total to 142 kinship families served and $55,000 in assistance given.  With many schools still not fully reopened for in-person learning and many businesses closing or scaling back, many caregivers have experienced loss of income or even lost their jobs.  This has resulted in food insecurity and requests for help with basic needs.  Hopefully, the latest stimulus package will help families who are struggling, and Step Up Parents will also be available to help bridge financial gaps.  

Our Donors & Supporters

Thank you to Flatbread Company for hosting its benefit night on April 6 to support Step Up Parents.  It was a great opportunity to fundraise and enjoy wonderful food.  Working with community partners, like Flatbread, is so important to our mission and raising awareness. 

We are also thankful for the grants we have been awarded so far this year.  It is humbling and inspiring to have the confidence of these wonderful supporters.  A huge thank you to Walmart Community Grants ($2,500); Bishop’s Charitable Assistance Fund ($5,000); The Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction ($5,000) and Hypertherm HOPE Foundation ($5,000).   Their support will allow us to continue our much needed work throughout New Hampshire.

As we continue our outreach across the state, we are very excited about our newest partners from the Upper Valley, Hypertherm HOPE Foundation and corporate sponsor, Geokon LLC.  Regional relationships, such are these, are key to expanding our geographic reach and our impact on local families.

Board News