Renewed Mindset: Donna F.

Before Donna F. came to StepUp

Ministry, she was making a dollar a day.

She was sleeping on a hard bunk, and living in a secured trailer with 20-plus other women: “I literally had nothing but a renewed mindset.”

It was that renewed mindset that led her to StepUp.

When Donna entered the Job Skills Program, she was four months shy from completing her prison sentence. “I was told how hard it would be to get a job or that I could only work ‘certain jobs’. However, I chose not to believe that.”

Determined and motivated, Donna delved into the Job Skills curriculum and classes. Her instructors discussed the power of networking, self-advocating, and building personal and professional confidence. “I was taught how to become employable by great instructors who held me accountable,” she shares.

A month after being released from prison, Donna secured a job. She then enrolled in the Life Skills Program and during that time made two goals: securing a driver license and enrolling at Wake Technical Community College. Donna achieved both goals and also added car ownership to her successes: “I went from being unemployed to becoming employed and taking three buses to get to one destination to owning a vehicle...I felt unstoppable!”

Today Donna is a wife, first-generation college graduate, published author, Christian Life Coach, and podcaster. And it was at StepUp that she learned how to compliment her vision with the necessary skills and tools: “StepUp staff, volunteers, and my two incredible co-partners taught me how to achieve my dreams and goals.”

StepUp aspires to teach all individuals, including Donna, the “how” for pursuing success.