Home - Step Onward Foundation

Together, we can create a world where at-risk young adults and families have the support they need to reach their full potential as healthy and self-sufficient people who contribute positively to their communities and to the generations that follow. Let’s break the cycle of homelessness, together!

Inspired By Grace

Eliza Grace & Patrice Pike

Eliza Grace was the first recipient of the Step Onward Foundation.

“I was told years ago that all you need is a handful of hope, and the Step Onward Foundation is that handful of hope.” – Eliza Grace

“Patrice Pike here. In my life as a traveling musician, I happened to meet Eliza Grace. It seems like several lifetimes ago, and humbly, I can tell you that I didn’t know what was coming when I met her, but it changed my life forever and subsequently and exponentially the lives of many others. Her story was one of homelessness and so much more. Her 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 Grace’s willingness to come out and name what she 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

The Step Onward Foundation (formerly the Grace Foundation) was established in 2004 when Patrice Pike and her friend and co-founder, Todd Young, mobilized to help a young woman in need whom Patrice encountered while on the road with her band. A benefit concert was planned and Todd called upon a friend at the Austin Community Foundation to incorporate the effort under its auspices in record time for the event. That initial event surpassed its fundraising goal and the Grace Foundation was officially born. In 2014, we rebranded as the Step Onward Foundation and earned our own 501(c)(3) status.

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. Recognizing that childhood traumatic stress can have pervasive effects on physical and mental health, we connect our young awardees with qualified professionals and with other resources for which they may be eligible as needs arise. We are committed to each young person’s happy and productive future, and from what they’ve told us, that kind of commitment can really make all the difference!

Education

We support our awardees as they work toward their college degree or certification in a trade by paying tuition and fees, books, and other costs. Through mentoring, we offer guidance to help them stay on track, connecting them with other resources that may be available to them. Read more.

Housing

When needed, we provide funding to ensure our awardees have a safe and affordable place to live. We offer guidance and support in securing sustainable housing. Read more.

Health and Wellness

We offer our awardees opportunities to strengthen their health and wellness by funding medical and health-related expenses, including food security. Read more.

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.

Cami

Brandon

Alasha

Seelay

Meet Some of Our Awardees

Our Referring Partner Organizations

You’ve probably heard the saying, “It takes a village.” When our community partners refer one of their clients to us, we essentially enter into a family-like partnership with both the young person and the referring organization. Together, we usher young people through their formative early adult years until they are ready and able to successfully support themselves. This committed, wrap-around approach is critical to determining whether a survivor relapses into homelessness or moves on to independence.