Archive for November, 2011

Chicago Supporters

Steps runners and supporters had a blast in Chicago and a few of them even had enough energy after the race to pose for a celebration picture! If you’re interested in joining Steps for a future team please email Lorelle for the Houston Marathon (Lorelle@TheStepsFoundation.org) or Sara (Sara@TheStepsFoundation.org) for the Los Angeles or Woodlands marathon. Hope to see you soon!

 

© Little Bay Photography

Past Grant Recipients

Rift Valley Hospital in partnership with Kenyan Kids Foundation 2011

 

What they do:

 

Founded by Wesley Korir, elite marathon and dear friend of Steps, Kenyan Kids provides education, healthcare, and farming assistance to community members near Wesley’s home village, Kitale, Kenya. When Wesley’s brother was 13 he passed away from a snake bite, an injury that could have been prevented had there been accessible health care in his village. After that Wes made it a life goal to ensure others would not have to endure the pain his family experienced by such a tragic loss.

 

How we helped:

 

In 2010 Steps started a 26.2 challenge which raised funds to build a hospital in Kenya’s Rift Valley. We are happy to say the hospital is currently under construction and we will continue this partnership, helping them find ways to staff and supply the hospital upon completion.

 

The Hall Steps Foundation run/walk mentoring program 2010

What they do:

This was Steps flagship program aimed at increasing exercise through community involvement in the Austin neighborhood of Chicago.

How we helped:

Steps provided a year of funding to get the program rolling. Adults of all fitness abilities came together Saturday mornings at the Garfield Conservatory to run or walk with children from the community.  They worked together to improve their fitness and build relationships to strengthen their neighborhood. After a terrible storm came through and tore down many trees blocking the running/walking path used by Steps and other community members, the program STEPped up and cleared the path for everyone’s use, a project that was many weeks down on the over-worked city’s priority list. This self-supporting program is still running strong today!

 

Back on My Feet 2010

 

 

What they do:

Back on My Feet is a nonprofit organization that promotes the self-sufficiency of those experiencing homelessness by engaging them in running as a means to build confidence, strength and self-esteem. Back on My Feet (BoMF) does not provide food nor does it provide shelter, but instead provides a community that embraces equality, respect, discipline, teamwork and leadership. All members – regardless of race, education or socioeconomic status – join together to move their own lives forward as well as the lives of their teammates. BoMF is a 6-9 month program that works with individuals living in homeless facilities.

How we helped:

In 2010 as both Ryan and Sara were preparing for amazing performances during marathon weekend, Steps took a moment to make a donation to the newly formed Boston chapter of Back on My Feet.  Steps provided grant money to meet the needs of 6 program participants.

 

 

 

 

International Justice Mission 2010

What they do:

International Justice Mission is a human rights agency that brings rescue to victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression. IJM lawyers, investigators and aftercare professionals work with local officials to secure immediate victim rescue and aftercare, to prosecute perpetrators and to ensure that public justice systems – police, courts and laws – effectively protect the poor.

How we helped:

In 2010 Steps provided a grant to support a lawyer’s salary who worked with local authorities to ensure the victims’ rights were cared for and appropriate action was taken against the perpetrators.

 

 

World Vision 2010

 

What they do:

World Vision is a Christian relief, development, and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families, and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. From October 2009 through September 2010, World Vision responded to nearly 80 major disasters and humanitarian emergencies, assisting 15 million people.  In addition to addressing immediate and short-term needs, World Vision seeks to work with national governments, where appropriate, and families on long-term recovery plans.  World Vision believes that finding comprehensive and sustainable solutions will help to minimize the impact of future crises.

How we helped:

Developing countries often face a shortage of clean water which can impact health, food production, economics and even education (teachers are unlikely to move to communities where clean water is scarce and older children will spend hours fetching clean water for families). In 2010 Steps made a donation to help provide clean water to villages in Kenya.

 

 

Global Children’s Movement 2010

 

What they do:

Global Children’s Movement was started in response to the vast needs facing children today.  It istheir passion to provide a holistic approach in providing for, protecting, and restoring children at risk around the world.  Understanding that issues of injustice are closely intertwined, we endeavor to influence arenas of society towards justice and restoration.  Through a variety of efforts, we dare to dream that love can bring a generation back to life.

How we helped:

Global Children’s Movement is in the process of building 4 children’s orphanages in Bungoma, Kenya that will cost $40,000 each to build the house from ground-up and another $900/month to run which includes 8 orphans, house parents and their family, education, food, transportation and medical care. In 2010 Steps provided a grant to help make this project a reality.

 

 

New York Road Runners Foundation Young Runners Program 2009 

What they do:

Young Runners motivates elementary-school through high-school students to set and achieve personal fitness goals. Young Runners uses the structure and popularity of a team to help kids learn valuable lessons about how to set goals and make activity part of their daily lives. With the help of their coach, participants learn to run distances from 1 to 6.2 miles without stopping.

How we helped:

New York Road Runners provides this program free to schools, youth clubs, and before/after-school programs in underserved communities in New York City. Steps sponsored a year of programming for a school in an underserved community in each of the 5 boroughs of New York City.