About STEPMC

History

Steps to End Poverty in McPherson County was founded in 2010 by a group of passionate leaders in the city of McPherson who were dedicated to fighting poverty and inspired by the power that relationships had in that fight. For the majority of our history, STEPMC was connected with the Circles USA movement. Over the past decade we have worked tirelessly to build relationships and walk alongside people as they overcome poverty.

Our Vision

To end poverty in McPherson County one family at a time.

Our Mission

To walk alongside people until they are out of poverty.

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We do this by forming a community around those in our program, fostering connections, and creating pathways of opportunity and success. STEPMC creates a framework for people to build relationships across economic and class lines in order to transform lives.

The STEPMC Approach

We believe that responsibility for both poverty and prosperity rests not only in the hands of individuals, but also with societies, institutions, and communities. Our approach is a progressive model that suggests low-income families must have strong social capital and connections within their communities in order to improve their economic situation.
Families and individuals enroll in our training to build financial, emotional, and social resources as well as an economic stability plan that sets goals unique to their own needs and dreams. These families, called Team Leaders, are paired with trained mid- to high-income community volunteers, called Team Partners, who support their efforts to achieve economic stability. Each week, STEPMC meets to provide peer support and to discuss strategies for attaining prosperity.