AmeriCorps Hosted a “Boot Camp” for residents

My name is Derek Andrews and I am the full time AmeriCorps Health Coordinator at Stepping Stones since September of 2011. I am serving with another part-time AmeriCorps member and we work one-on-one with our residents in establishing and implementing personal health goals which can include bettering their diets, increasing their levels of physical activity, and improving their overall health and wellness. Our job is to coach them and provide meaningful feedback in tracking their health and wellness progress.

I focus primarily on teaching about the importance of a healthy diet and an active lifestyle. I work with the residents and coach them on healthy eating habits and how to properly prepare a meal. Many residents come into our

program wanting to learn more about cooking. After completing initial health assessments with residents, I learn more about what their diets consist of and work with them individually to provide healthy resources and alternatives to what they put in their bodies. I do one-on-one cooking with residents, which involves selecting a challenging recipe and working together to follow the steps to create a healthy meal.

I also lead the Be Active! program at Stepping Stones, in which I organize and lead two to three physical activities each week. Physical activities include going to the local YMCA, rock climbing, roller-skating, bike riding, and more. This program not only provides resources for our residents to become more physically active, but also allows residents to bond with each other through these fun activities. For example, during a trip to our local indoor rock climbing

facility, it was great to see the residents work together, encourage each other, and ensure trust in each other to literally hold on to their partners.

As Health Coordinator, it is my job to provide resources and advice on how to approach healthier lifestyles. While this job can be challenging at times (as living a healthy lifestyle is up to the individual), it is great to see the progress that our residents make during their time at Stepping Stones. Just recently, a resident approached me and showed me her healthy sandwich that she had made herself. She said, “Are you proud of me?” These are the moments at Stepping Stones that reassure that I can have a strong impact on our residents. My goal and objective is to teach and coach our residents on healthy behaviors and habits that they can use not only during their time here, but for years to come after life at Stepping Stones.

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P.O. Box 1366 n Bloomington, IN 47402 n [office] (812) 339-9771 n [fax] (812) 339-2991 n www.steppingstones-inc.org

Stepping Stones, Inc. touchstones March 2012

MISSION To provide transitional housing and

supportive services to youth aged 16-20 that are experiencing homelessness.

We want to do our part for the environment by reducing paper use.

If you would like to receive

your newsletters electronically please send an email message to

wwade@steppingstones-inc.org.

A Day in the Life of an AmeriCorps Health Coordinatorby Derek Andrews

80% have shown an increase in their levels of physical activity

100+ physical activity opportunities for its residents through the Be active program since august 2011

Thank you! To everyone who sent in holiday

wishes to our residents using the tear off portion of our holiday letter. They were displayed in our community center for our residents to see throughout the holiday season!

Touchstones NewsletterSte

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BOARD OF DIRECTORSMike Beam, Secretary Glenn Burkholder, Vice President Mike Craig, TreasurerSteve EnglertPamela Hensler, President Bruce McCallister Dustin Plummer Phil Randall MaryAlice Rickert

STAFFDerek Andrews, Health Coordinator - AmeriCorps Sheri Benham, Executive Director Alysia Fornal, Independent Living CoachLogan Emmitt, Resident AssistantPaula Grez, Resident AssistantTaylor Hurst, Social Work InternBrittany Levato, Social Work Intern Travis Lawson, Counseling Intern Stephanie McGee, Independent Living CoachAndrea Newcomb, Health Coordinator - AmeriCorpsStephanie Simpson, Marketing Intern Stephanie Turpin, Counseling InternWarren Wade, Development Director

COMMUNITY PARTNERSAmeriCorpsAmethyst HouseAsset Building CoalitionBig Brothers Big SistersCatholic Social ServicesCenterstoneCommunity KitchenDrop Out Prevention CoalitionHoosier Hills Food BankINGLBTIU Schools of Counseling, Education,

Informatics, SPEA and Social WorkMartha’s HouseMiddle Way HouseMonroe County Schools CorporationMonroe County United MinistriesMother Hubbard’s CupboardNon Profit AlliancePositive LinkRhino’s All Ages Youth CenterSalvation ArmyShalom Community CenterSouth Central Housing NetworkSuicide Prevention CoalitionUnited Way of Monroe CountyVolunteers in Medicine (VIM)Vocational RehabilitationWork OneYouth Services Bureau

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$1/wk ($52/year) can support…

•One professional counseling session for one resident.

•One healthy, drug-free activity for nine residents.

•Pays for basic school supplies for one resident.

$5/wk ($260/year) can support…

•One load of washed and dried laundry / wk for 1 resident.

•Provides interview clothes and haircuts for six residents.

$10/wk ($520/yr) can support…

•Utilities for 1 resident for 1 year.•YMCA annual group membership,

providing wellness access for residents.

$20/wk ($1040/yr) can support…

• One group meal a week.• Provides 2 hours of case

management a week that includes financial management, job skills coaching and other independent living skills.

“Skills to Pay the Bills”Knowing that managing your finances is a life-long endeavor for all (and a struggle for many), Stepping Stones’ Financial Literacy program is an important piece of what we do here.

Our residents have limited to no interaction with their parents to whom they would typically turn for advice. Even those parents who have had an impact on our youth’s financial literacy typically are low-income households in which they struggle to make ends meet and are themselves ill-equipped to teach financial literacy.

Research suggests that financial education and opportunities have a positive effect on “financial knowledge, behavior, and self-efficacy.” Additionally,

“58% reported changes in spending habits (e.g. thinking more carefully about spending, saving money for purchases or only buying necessary items) and 50% reported changes in savings-habits (e.g., starting to save, or saving more than previously.”1

Jason Evans Groth, coordinator of “It’s Your Money” at the Monroe County Public Library, and Michelle Henderson, educator from Purdue Extension Office, have partnered with us to provide a more holistic financial literacy program by conducting 7 educational sessions throughout the year.

Another key component to our program includes one-on-one sessions with each resident to create and maintain a budget which includes paying bills on time and identifying benchmarks.

94% of youth ages 16-22 say

they are likely to turn to their parents for financial information.

Matthew Greenwald & Associates, Inc. (1999). Youth and money. Washington, D.C.: American Savings Education Council. http://www.asec.org.

Residents making some “Duct Tape Wallets” to

hold all the money they’ll be saving!

The Difference Your Support Makes!

1 www.nefe.org/pages/educational.html.

1.DonatedirectlyfromourhomepageviaourPayPalaccountlink

2.Sendcash/checktoPOBox1366Bloomington,IN47402

3.Findoutmorewaystogiveat

steppingstones-inc.org/donate.html

Ways you can give

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Touchstones Newsletter

...is coming and it’s the 10th Anniversary! Sunday, April 15 at 3rd Street Park.

Registration begins at noon!

Want to get involved? Just remember the 5 R’s!1. Register - go online & register today at

homewardboundindiana.org/bloomington!

2. Reach Out - let other friends, family and coworkers know that you’re helping to raise money for Stepping Stones

and they can help, too.

3. Recruit - Get those friends, family members and coworkers to join you. Registration is simple and, even if they are unable to attend the walk, they can

help you collect donations.

4. Rally - Get excited about the walk. It’s a great time with food, music and lots of great Bloomington agencies who do great work. Be creative! Awards are given

for the “Most Walkers,” “Top Team Fundraiser,” “Top Individual Fundraiser” and “Best Theme.”

5. Raise - This is one of the most fun events we do all year and is one of the best ways for you to show your support of Stepping Stones and for our residents.

SpeCial thankS to the follo

wing C

om

munity Suppo

rterShomeward Bound 2012

UNITED WAY-Transforming LivesThanks to all of you for your

support through the United Way “Donor Choice” program.

If you’re interested in pledging your support to the United Way

Community Action Fund, visit monroeunitedway.org/pledgeform.htm

GRANTSPerry Township Trustee for funds to

support our Independent Living Program.

Bloomington Bicycle Club for funds to repair and maintain our program’s bicycles

fleet for our residents.

Psi Iota Xi, Zeta Chapter for their support of our “Milestones” program that is a part of

our financial literacy programming.

COMPANIES/ORGANIZATIONSAndrew Davis Menswear

Baker Lawn Service Co.Bill C. Brown & Associates

Bloomingfoods Irish Lion

IU Panhellenic Association

IU School of InformaticsIU Career Development Ctr

Lumina FoundationMcAlister’s Deli

McNutt Residence HallMother Bears Pizza

ProBleuSoma Coffee House & Juice Bar

Stansy & HornTown & Country Real Estate

Unitarian Universalist Church

VILLAGE BUILDERSBaker, W. Claude & Susan

Bowie, Jocelyn and Semmel, DavidCarter, Rebecca & Steve

Englert, DebraAnonymous

Franklin, KaraHartung-Starns, Darla & Starns, Don

Heath, Linda and EdJohnson, Jim and Dianna

McCallister, Bruce & King, RosemaryMcGerr, Michael and Rosemarie

McGuire, Sean & Geeslin, KimberlyMcManus, Patricia Ann

Moss, Barbara and Meadows, BobRickert, MaryAlice and James

Rillo, Tom and DeeSavage, Eileen

Shaw, ChrisSterling Real Estate

Szonyi, David & Orenstein, AvivaTorneo, Dave

We want YOUR Nominations!

Visit the link below to nominate someone you think deserves recognition for the work they do

on behalf of youth in our community!

Tell us why YOU think they’ve “STEPPED UP” for youth!

TINYURL.COM/STEPUPNOMINATIONS

The 5th Annual “Icing on the Cake” Desserts and Awards Ceremony will take place on Tuesday May 8th (location TBD) to recognize individuals who have impacted the lives of at-risk youth in our community. Our residents will nominate people that they’d like to honor for the things they’ve done in their lives.

Additionally, we will present two “Stepping Up” awards to recognize two particularly outstanding champions for our community’s youth. SEE BELOW

We’d love to have you join us for an evening of fun and recognition (as well as cakes, pastries, and non-alcoholic beverages like coffee, soda and water).

Icing on the CakeDesserts & Awards Banquet

What our Residents have said about their

honorees:“When I was going

through abuse in High school, she would

always talk to me and keep me smiling. She would put an arm

around me and tell me everything would be alright. I wouldn’t have made it through high school without

her.”“She has taught me good work ethics

through her positive work attitude. She has always worked with me through my problems

offering solutions along the way.”

Special Thanks! toMallor | Grodner attorneys

for their support of Stepping Stones and our Homeward Bound efforts

over the years

If you receive two editions of our newsletter, please pass one on to a friend and notify Stepping Stones. Any requests to be removed from our mailing list will be promptly honored.

Stepping StonesP.O. Box 1366Bloomington, IN 47402steppingstones-inc.org

NonProfitOrg.

U.S.Postage

PAID

BloomingtonIN

PermitNo.248

Return Service Requested

Contact UsP.O. Box 1366 Phone: (812) 339-9771Bloomington, IN 47402 Fax: (812) 339-2991

Email: info@steppingstones-inc.orgVisit our website at: www.steppingstones-inc.org

MISSION To provide transitional housing and supportive

services to youth aged 16-20 that are experiencing homelessness.

In This Edition•A Day in the Life...

•Holiday Thank Yous!

•Board, Staff and Community Partners

•“Skills to Pay the Bills”

•The Difference Your Support Makes!

•Homeward Bound 2012

•Icing On the Cake Nominations!

•Special Thanks To the Following

Community Supporters

“Now that I am in Stepping Stones I

don’t have to worry about getting food

everyday, and I can focus on things like

becoming a CNA.” - 18 Year Old Male Resident