The Stepping Stone

Exciting News!

   The Stepping Stone has been approved for a $5,000.00 matching grant from The Pokagon Fund.  The funds are specifically for the 'Beautification' phase of our COMMUNITY UNITY INITIATIVE which began May 1, 2018.  The Initiative has three phases: Community Beautification, Entrepreneurial Opportunities for job creation, and an Entertainment Center for creative expression.

     The Stepping Stone, now in our 7th year of service, has launched our Community Unite Initiative.  Our goal is to facilitate interaction and communication across socio-economic, racial and religious lines and focus on human beings working for the common good of our community.
               On May 1, 2018, we committed to intensify our focus on Community Beautification, Entrepreneurial Opportunities (for job creation) and Entertainment at our Center, for cross-cultural expression (which includes primarily all genres of creative expression - music, art, comedy, drama, poetry, other art forms and even games and competition).  Our previous service offerings will continue to be available.  Some activities will be adapted to better conform to our changing times.  Our Food Service program will remain primarily as it is.  Our Assistance to Senior Citizens will expand to include more one-on-one interaction and group socials to help keep cherished memories vivid and provide more opportunities to interact.  The Pebbles Program will expand.  Our Academic Afterschool Program will transform into a Life-Skills Development Experience.  The Experience includes cultural exposure (fieldtrips), individualized mentoring and tutoring, an atmosphere which increases opportunities to interact and communicate, hands-on projects to develop work ethic and troubleshooting skills, and lessons and examples of basic social etiquette.  Academic growth will be interspersed overtly and subliminally.
               For our next commitment, THE POKAGON FUND approved a $5,000.00 matching grant to assist with the Beautification aspect of the endeavor.  WOLVERINE MUTUAL INSURANCE has donated the first matching $1,000.00.  The 3 Mariposas Montessori School, through Director Sarah Ludwig-Ross, has conferred with The Stepping Stone and set up a Mighty Cause Fund.  She and her family and friends donated $225.00 toward the Fund.   Mrs. Ludwig-Ross stated that staffing is essential for the long-term survival of any growing service organization.  Predictable, committed staffers will enhance the success and performance of each of our projects.   As part of our Beautification Project, our entrepreneurial landscaper has tremendously changed the look and the fertility of the land at Stone’s Throw Family Kitchen. We ask you to come over and take a look and try a sandwich or get a soda pop while you’re there. We plan to open “The Stepping Stone Park” by September 1st.  The Park is visible from Pokagon Street, is family friendly, and the theme is Community Unity. 
               During our next 7 years, we pray that the community will choose to unify.  We need entrepreneurs to work with TSS to create jobs for the entrepreneur (self) and others. Additionally, people with a passion for creative expression are needed today.  If you have a band or singing group or can sing or used to be able to sing or think you can sing, come over and grab the microphone.  We have 2 halls available for entertainment and/or rental.
                                                                      Please join us.
               Our youth are coming of age.  In the next 7 years, several of the children who have participated in the Pebbles program will be ‘of age’.  Adults have a responsibility to set an example and lead the way.  May our children be responsible, productive citizens who work hard, play harder and serve well…
TOGETHER WE CAN.  ​