Congratulations to our own Cynthia McGuigan for graduating from the Academy for Grassroots Organizations. The mission of the Academy is "to make sure that the thousands of amazing people and organizations working to change lives in our region have all the resources and skills they need to be successful." Cynthia and Steps 4 Life certainly fit that description as they support their program clients in bettering their lives and becoming self-sufficient individuals who are productive members of their communities.
Santa Claus Inc - Steps 4 Life Children
We are so grateful to Santa Claus Inc for hosting a wonderful event for our children at their San Bernardino facility. The children were all smiles as they were presented with new backpacks, bicycles, shoes, hats and other gifts. The mission of Santa Claus, Inc. is to provide critical assistance to children in the Inland Empire by supporting and strengthening the family unit through our community based programs. Steps 4 Life greatly appreciates their support and genorosity.
Landscaping at the Women & Children's Home
Some of our men volunteered to do some landscaping in the front yard at one of the Women and Children's homes. Here is John (right) and Taylor (left) proudly showing their handiwork to Crytstal. The yard looks great - nice work guys and thanks!
A nice new yard at the Women and Children's Home
God Beds for Homeless Families - Fund Raising Campaign
Steps 4 Life has a program called God Beds subsidizes the rent for homeless families that need a safe place to live and rebuild their lives. We are launching a Generosity.com fund raising campaign to allow Steps 4 Life to support more of these families in need. Here is a quote from Generosity.com:
"Cynthia McGuigan, virtually runs Steps 4 Life by herself. She is 99% of the effort working tirelessly, 365 days a year, most of those days without pay. Having been homeless with her child, she knows how hard it is to rebound and to keep your child safe and thriving. Steps 4 Life is a struggling non-profit that has 5 homes and a total of 42 beds and is one of only a handful of places that will take not only women with children but also men with children. Cynthia takes broken lives and mends them."
If you are able to help out then please visit our God Beds for Homeless Families fund raising campaign.
Some of our children in their Steps 4 Life home.
New Van from Redlands First United Methodist Church
On Monday, we went over to the Redlands First United Methodist Church to thank them for their loving gift of a new 15-passenger van for Steps 4 Life. The van will be used to help our clients move towards self-sufficiency by providing transportation for appointments, activities and shopping. One of our children made the church a giant thank you card decorated with leaves and pine cones. We are so appreciative of this generous gift that will help our families in so many ways. Thank you to the Redlands United Methodist Church!
Here we are at the Redlands United Methodist Church to thank them for our new van.
One of our children made this beautiful and giant thank you card to express our deep gratitude to Redlands UMC.
Mansion Memories at the Burrage
As reported in the Redlands Daily Facts, Steps 4 Life was invited to the a special family event which was sponsored by Mansion Memories, a new nonprofit working with the Rochford Foundation, owner of the historic Burrage Mansion.
The Steps 4 Life families had a wonderful time on the mansion lawn with an ice cream socia, live entertainment and a campfire sing-a-long.
Cynthia McGuigan brought several Steps 4 Life families with her Wednesday evening. “This is so special for all of us,” she said. “How many times do you get to come to a mansion or be around something like this? It’s beautiful.”
Steps 4 Life - Annual Backpack Day
On Friday we had our Annual Backpack Day for the children at Steps 4 Life. Cynthia and the Steps 4 Life team went shopping for lots of supplies to fill the backpacks. They got pencils, crayons, art supplies, safety scissors, rulers and other items that children need to start the school year. As you can see from the smiles, the kids loved opening their backpacks. And their mom's loved it too. It was a great day all around.
Bowling Night at Arrowhead Lanes
On Monday our families and children went to Arrowhead Lanes in San Bernardino for a afternoon of bowling. A great time was had by young and old alike.
Birthday Party in Crafton Park
One of our residents organized a birthday party for her son and invited the other Steps 4 Life children, families and residents to join him in Crafton Park. It was quite an event. The Power Rangers showed up, we had a bouncy house, water balloon fights, food and of course a birthday cake. Everyone had a wonderful time.
Easter Celebration
We are having our Easter Celebration for our children very excited to watch the children have there Easter egg hunt and baskets with the generous help of the Kiwanis. Our children are being blessed this March 26th 2016 very excited. Look for upcoming pictures.