One step at a time
By Mary Eber
Getting out of poverty is not an easy task; it’s often a long slow process. But Muncie resident, Vickie Greenlee was able to gain financial stability and a large support system through her involvement in Forward S.T.E.P.S.
It’s a program offered by Second Harvest for families and individuals to build relationships and community networks for people in need.
Greenlee started the 16-week training program seven years ago for families and individuals to understand and conquer the sources of daily instability.
The class has a textbook and curriculum that takes a dive into why you are where you are. When you graduate from the program, you’re matched with two to four allies who act as accountability partners and are there for support and education, Stacey Ream-Britton, the resource development couch said.
At the time, Greenlee was struggling financially.
Her daughter had moved back in at age 20 with her one-month old baby and her significant other. Greenlee had already taken in her mother who was ill, and her husband had lost his job.
The family was living off one income, hers.
“If it wasn’t for Forward Steps I would’ve probably left,” she said. “Left everybody, cause everybody was fighting because money was so tight.”
The program allowed her to build close relationships with people and through a lot of talking and counseling, they guided her.
“Forward S.T.E.P.S. helped me learn to set those boundaries, how to communicate and not continue to get into what they call a rescue triangle,” Greenlee said. “It helps you grow in all aspects of your life.”
It even helped her advance her profession.
“It allowed me to believe in me,” she said.
Greenlee has worked at Open Door for 15 years.
Forward S.T.E.P.S. gave her the confidence to let her supervisor know she was worthy of more money and responsibility. Because of that, a new position, lead scheduler, was created for her. She’s now the go to person between the scheduling department and her supervisor and creates all the doctor’s schedules.
Greenlee graduated from the program, but you can still find her in attendance at Forward S.T.E.P.S meetings at First Baptist Church.
She continues to be a part of the Forward S.T.E.P.S. community so she can give back.
And now, Greenlee is about to become a peer advocate herself.
“My desire is to help the parents so they can help their kids and grandkids and get our community out of this funk,” she said.
Her story isn’t new. Many people don’t leave the program after their 16 weeks are up but stay connected to the group.
One thing different about Forward S.T.E.P.S. is it’s about doing with and less about doing for, Ream-Britton said.
The support system is there for accountability, but the accomplishments are strictly their own. The people in the program move forward on their own with just support. That’s why they’re successful because they know that they can do it, Ream-Britton said
“We are that net under people that say, you can only fall so far like you really have to try hard to fall farther than that,” she said. “We’re only going to let you go so far before we say, hey, we have the relationship to tell you the heck are you doing? That’s who we are that’s what we do.”
What makes Forward S.T.E.P.S. unique is the members are invested in every person that comes Ream-Britton said.
“I know them, I know their children, they know my children, my children come here every Thursday night and attend because it’s that good,” she said.
The community meets for weekly dinners and has overview sessions Thursday nights at 5 p.m. at First Baptist Church in downtown Muncie.