Supportive Services

Supportive Services

Supportive Services is STEP’s largest component in terms of programs. Twelve programs make up Supportive Services that serve the majority of STEP’s clients. The most unique aspect of this component is that nine of the programs are new to STEP, with Home Delivered Meals, Congregate Meals, and Project Discovery being the only programs that have been in operation prior to 2005.

bullet Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
bullet Home Delivered Meals
bullet Congregate Meals
bullet Individual Development Account (IDA)
bullet Homeownership Program
bullet Virginia Community Action Re-Entry System (VA CARE)
bullet Homeless Internvention Program (HIP)
bullet Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing (HPRP)
bullet Small Steps/Big Changes
bullet Teen Outreach Program
bullet Strengthening Families Program
bullet Project Discovery

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

STEP partners with Ferrum College in Franklin County and the Adult Learning Center in Patrick County to provide free income tax assistance to individuals and families with total household incomes of $40,000 or less.  Tax Clinics are held at our offices at 200 Dent Street in Rocky Mount and at our Patrick County Office at 4559 Wayside Road in Stuart. 

Home Delivered Meals

STEP provides Home Delivered Meals to Senior Citizens in Franklin County.  STEP receives funding and referrals from the Southern Area Agency on Aging (SAAA).   Staff and volunteers from Christ Community Church deliver hot nutritious meals Monday through Friday to homebound senior citizens. STEP also provides a weekly supply of frozen meals that our seniors can reheat throughout the week, and bagged groceries and Ensure to clients that live in remote areas of the county. Besides delivering meals our volunteers also provide a friendly face, someone to chat with and the security of knowing that person is checked on Monday through Friday.

Congregate Meals

STEP prepares a nutritious lunch on alternating Mondays and Thursdays, and is served at the Senior Center on Tanyard Road in Rocky Mount. Meals are prepared and delivered by our kitchen staff. Approximately 25 Seniors are served lunch at the Senior Center every week. 

Individual Development Account (IDA)

IDA is a savings program which provides low-income families and individuals the opportunity to earn $2 for every $1 they deposit into a special savings account. When completed the money can be used to purchase a new home, start a business or acquire a post secondary education.  Each client who enrolls in our savings program is also given classes and support to help them with their purchase of a home, business, or their attempt to further their education.

Homeownership Program

This program, certified by the Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA), provides assistance in the form of literature and instructive classes that educate low-income families and individuals who are planning to purchase their first home.  Guest speakers may include loan officers, home inspectors, realtors and more.  Individuals who complete the course may be eligible for savings on the down payment or closing costs. 

Virginia Community Action Re-Entry System (VA CARE)

Virginia CARES, Inc. is a statewide non-profit program which assists ex-offenders and their families in making a successful transition from prison to their community. Assistance includes obtaining necessary forms of identification, support groups, job services, housing, life skills counseling and restoration of rights.  STEP Virginia CARES is offered in Franklin County, Patrick County, Henry County and the City of Martinsville.

Homeless Intervention Program (HIP)

STEP provides HIP services to the counties of Franklin, Patrick, Henry and Pittsylvania and the cities of Danville and Martinsville. Funded through the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), HIP provides time-limited financial assistance and housing counseling services to low-income families and individuals who are at-risk of losing their home. Approved clients must be in a temporary and unavoidable financial crisis outside of their control and they must clearly demonstrate that they were self-sufficient prior to their current financial crisis and have the capacity to be self-sufficient after receiving assistance.

Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing (HPRP)

Funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), HPRP provides emergency financial assistance to individual and families who are homeless or are in danger of becoming homeless.  STEP provides HPRP in Franklin, Patrick, Henry, and Pittsylvania Counties and the cities of Martinsville and Danville. 

Small Steps/Big Changes

Small Steps/Big Changes is a financial literacy program designed to help individuals take charge over their finances.  A certified financial social worker provides education, support, and case management to help clients reach their financial goals.

Teen Outreach Program

Teen Outreach Program (TOP) is an after school program targeting at-risk youth in Franklin County.  TOP students volunteer weekly at the local Planned Pethood Shelter or at a local nursing home.  Program goals are to promote young people’s healthy behavior, help them acquire valuable life-skills, and give them a sense of purpose.

Strengthening Families Program

Strengthening Families Program, funded by The Virginia Tobacco Settlement Foundation, targets area youth, 10-14 years of age, and their parents and/or legal guardian.   The Strengthening Families Program is a parent, youth and family skills-building curriculum designed to prevent teen substance abuse and other behavior problems, strengthen parenting skills and build family strengths.  Each group of students and parents will attend seven (7) weekly sessions, with each session lasting two (2) hours in length.  Transportation, dinner, and childcare are provided.

Project Discovery

This statewide program provides tutoring, educational sessions, college visits, SAT preparation and other assistance to low-income middle and high school students who have aspirations of being a first generation college student.  Project Discovery is offered in Franklin County High School and Franklin County Middle School.  Students have recently visited The University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, Duke University, The University of North Carolina, Ferrum College, and James Madison University.