Support to Eliminate Poverty est. 1966

Who We Are

bullet About STEP, Inc.
bullet Agency Management
bullet STEP Administration
bullet Program Directors

About STEP, Inc.

Support to Eliminate Poverty (STEP), Inc., formerly known as The Franklin County Community Action Program, is a dynamic Community Action Agency serving Franklin and Patrick Counties.  Since 1966, STEP has been on the forefront of providing effective programs designed to help low-income individuals and families overcome poverty.  Our mission is to provide exceptional services to families seeking to improve their quality of life through community, economic, personal and family development.  Our staff is committed to providing exceptional services!

The early programs consisted of Adult Education, Job Corp and a Clothes Closet for the community.  Community Centers were also opened to help residents learn to sew, seeds were given to farmers at planting time, and a partnership with Ferrum College was formed that has only strengthened over the years.  One of those partnerships with Ferrum College resulted in the first Credit Union in Franklin County. 

STEP also led the way to help100 families in the Ferrum/Callaway area receive running water, helped 116 youth gain employment through a federal jobs program, started a low-income housing project in partnership with Farmers Home Administration Financing.

Weatherization and Head Start have been associated with STEP longer than any other programs.  STEP began providing weatherization services in 1969.  During that same year, STEP opened the first licensed daycare in Franklin County, located at the American Legion Building on Diamond Avenue.  Today, the Stepping Stones Soup Kitchen operates out of the same building.

In 1990, the Franklin County Community Action Program changed their name to STEP, to reflect our designation into Patrick County.  Under the leadership of Joe Bland, STEP purchased the Central Office Building on Dent Street in 1992.

Today, STEP is not only the designated Community Action Agency for Franklin and Patrick Counties, we also provide services in Pittsylvania and Henry Counties and the cities of Martinsville and Danville. 

Since 2005, the agency budget has grown from $2 million to more than $5 million.  We’ve added 10 new programs and the number of employees have increased from 50 to approximately 110.  In FY 2009, STEP provided more than 11,500 services to more than 3,500 individuals.  This represents more individuals than was served in FY 2007 (1,500) and FY 2008 (2,000) combined. 

Agency Management

While the agency is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, the administration is charged with ensuring the day to day operations run smoothly.  STEP Administration is comprised of the offices of the Executive Director, Finance Department, and Human Resources.  The Program Directors are responsible for their components services, supervision, performance and accountability.

STEP Administration

Program Directors