Breaking the Cycle of Homelessness
Patrice Pike
The Step Onward Foundation was co-founded by Patrice Pike, musician and survivor of housing insecurity.
“Patrice Pike here. In my life as a traveling musician, I happened to meet a young person who was battling a life devoid of some of the most basic necessities: affordable medical and mental health care, affordable housing, and healthy food that promotes good health. It seems like several lifetimes ago, and humbly, I can tell you that I didn’t know what was coming when I met them, but it changed my life forever and subsequently and exponentially the lives of many others. Their story was one of homelessness and so much more. Their story connected deeply for me with my own lived experience in acute housing insecurity, poverty, classism, and the emotional stress and despair that haunts children and their struggling families. Out of their willingness to come out and name what they had gone through, came the inspiration and a mission to help others with similar experiences. Hence the Grace Foundation was formed. Today, now known as Step Onward Foundation, we have helped many young adults move onward out of housing insecurity and chronic homelessness to become the thriving survivors they are today.” – Patrice Pike, Co-Founder & Musician
Through a dedicated board, trusting partnerships, and active volunteers, we continue to aid young adults and families in need. Thanks to our generous individual and corporate donors we are steadily scaling our impact in the Texas communities we serve, which currently include Austin, Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio.
“Homelessness” Today
More than lacking shelter…
Through our work, we have come to understand that “homelessness” is complex. It is not simply a lack of shelter. Many people experience varying degrees of homelessness and housing insecurity throughout their lives. Having a safe place to call home is such a basic human need that when it is threatened, people often experience traumatic stress, and with it, mental and physical health issues and challenges affecting employment, among other adversities. It is easy to see how a vicious cycle is created under these conditions.
Our solution is to disrupt the cycle. We partner with young adults who have experienced housing insecurity or homelessness, including many who have aged out of the foster care system. We work with them as they pursue higher education and other forms of career preparation to ensure that they have the financial support, sound guidance, and encouragement needed to achieve their goals.
Working with other community-based organizations, we assess each young person’s needs and available resources, filling the gaps that remain to provide wrap-around support as they transition into adulthood.
We partner with local hospitals to support low-income families facing eviction or foreclosure due to a medical crisis with a child. These families have exhausted their financial resources and are now at risk of losing their home and struggling to feed themselves and their other children. Social workers at local hospitals like Dell Children’s Hospital refer low-income families who need emergency support to stay housed and fed, so they can focus on what’s most important – their family – without the stress of when they’ll get their next meal or where they’ll sleep that night.
In addition to providing support for housing, food and education, we fund transportation costs and mental health and wellness.
Education
Housing
Health and Wellness
Brandon
Awardee
Current Teacher and High School Football Coach
“Because Step Onward stepped up, I was able to focus on my dreams, my goals and my aspirations. I think growing up in a homeless shelter taught me to be so eager to get to the next step, and as long as I did, I was ok, but I was not eager for my dreams or excited to achieve my personal goals. Step Onward personally took a lot of stress off of me by providing books for me, providing funding for school, making sure I had a meal plan and housing…Today, I started an organization that feeds 150 kids a week, provides back to school bashes, and turkeys on thanksgiving. It’s because Step Onward took those stresses, that I am able to do things for the community and for the world.”
Keller Williams
2020-2023 Title Sponsor and Donor
Keller Williams has been a proud Title Sponsor for Step Onward Foundation for three years in a row. The Executive Assistant to the Chairman shared “They are honored to support such a great cause.”
Texas Children’s Hospital
2006 – Current Partner
“Step Onward has been a huge help to our families because they immediately seek to help the families that are referred to them. Step Onward is not only a resource, but also a partner to us at Texas Children’s Hospital.”
Our Awardee Community
Diverse, Unique, and Deserving
The young adults we serve are a diverse group of individuals with unique circumstances. One thing they share is their proven readiness to take the next step onward in their independence through our services and funding.
Each of our awardees comes highly recommended through one of our partner organizations, schools, social workers, and outreach efforts. We provide tailored supports for them as they work to acquire the education and experience they need to attain the independence they are seeking to achieve.
Our Referring Partner Organizations
Interesting Facts
Each year, an estimated 4.2 million youth and young adults experience homelessness, of which 700,000 are unaccompanied minors, meaning they are not part of a family or are accompanied by a parent or guardian. On any given night, approximately 41,000 unaccompanied youth ages 13-25 experience homelessness. Learn more at NCSL
Contact Information
P.O. Box 150591
Austin, TX 78715
info@steponward.org
512.298.1145
Latest News
- 2024 Home Made Happiness Gala – Tickets & SponsorshipsOctober 30, 2023 - 10:33 am
- Home Made Happiness Online Silent Auction is Live!March 22, 2023 - 12:17 pm
- Kicking off the 2023 Annual Concert GalaAugust 3, 2022 - 6:56 am
- SOF Board on Leadership in Education, Mentorship, Fundraising, & Government Service.July 24, 2022 - 6:59 pm