Meet: STEPS (striving toward empowered personal success) a vital non-profit in Groton

The board of STEPS has decided to start blogging about our organization so our Groton community can get to know about us.

STEPS is a non-profit organization that mentors, empowers and guides woman and adolescent girls to making positive and healthy educated choices in their lives. We believe in doing this we will not only be breaking generational cycles but strengthen our community.

STEPS is run by six woman from different backgrounds, nationalities and denominations. We are on the board of STEPS because of our passion to make a difference in lives and our community and in remembrance of our own struggles growing up.

We make time within our own busy lives and family obligations to commit to the programs we run within STEPS. We currently run four programs a year. We have two 8th grade girls programs; striving toward positive life choices at Westside Middle School and Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School and our night program, Project for Success, for our girls who have moved on to high school on Tuesday evenings.

We also have our Summer program which is our Leadership Development Program. We just finished our 5th annual summer Leadership Program, which teaches the girls leadership skills.  There is a goal set at the beginning of the summer. The goal is going somewhere they haven't been and stay for a night. We always encompass cultural, educational and fun activities throughout the summer and on the trip.

The girls get tasks and roles. They are to research whatever their task/role is and update with the results. Everyone has to stay on top of their tasks in order for them to make their goal, which promotes teamwork. The trip is something we have added to the program within the last three years.

Our first trip was staying over night in Times Square, N.Y., and the girls had a blast! We went sightseeing, ate a family style meal at a beautiful Italian restaurant, went to the New York Public Library and learned about the history of it. We also visited the 911 Memorial.

The second year, the girls went to Boston for the night. In Boston, we took the duck tour, which is a trolley/boat ride, we learned the history of Boston and did some sightseeing. This summer, we went to Hershey Park and spent the night in Harrisburg, P.A. The girls enjoyed the Chocolate Tour of Hershey, where they learned about the history of Hershey and enjoyed a day at the amusement park.

The review we get back from our girls makes everything we do all worthwhile. Most of them said they would've have never had those experiences if it wasn't for STEPS. We build a trust and respect that is irreplaceable. We encourage everyone in the community to get to know about STEPS.

STEPS is also looking for volunteers, facilitators, board members and as always donations. We are getting a high demand for our programs and are out growing what six women can do by ourselves. We have only been able to continue our commitment to the Groton and New London girls by small donations and grants.

We appreciate any interest you show in STEPS and our programs we facilitate, no matter how big or small. Our future blogs will only contain updates and current events. Thank you for taking the time to get to know us.