Wildlife and nature

Animal shelters and rescues

Theater and dance

Rivers, parks and trails

Hunger and food

Schools and learning

Housing and homelessness

Community health

Mental health

Mentoring and foster care

Legal help and rights

Jobs and money help

Atlanta

The Triangle

Everywhere

The Collective Workshop

Royal Animal Refuge

Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta

Georgia Advancing Communities Together

Atlanta Writers Club

Cobb Collaborative

Bosleys Place

Jewish Fertility Foundation

Cashmere Bentley

Meg Olhasque

LARHONDA LESLIE

CARY CAIN

PAULINE ROBINSON

CLINT MCSHERRY

KEVIN MORIN-KENSICKI

BILL DEFULVIO

NAKEETA THARPE

Samantha Alexander

Chonna Campbell

Citlalli Alaniz

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About

Resources

Thank you to Phil Spiro and Linda Raftery, our second Gold Sponsors of Ready. Set. RISE! Their steadfast support helps sustain the resources, connections, and encouragement that make opportunity possible at StepUp Durham. 🌟 Phil and Linda, thank you for standing with us and investing in our community’s future! We’re halfway to our $50,000 goal! Help keep the momentum growing by becoming a sponsor and helping more Durham residents access employment, opportunity, and second chances. Explore sponsorship opportunities: meg@stepupdurham.org.

🎉 Congratulations to StepUp Durham’s October Step 1 Jobs Week grads! 👏 Scroll through to meet the faces of those who showed up ready to take on the challenge of employment, connect with resources, and build a community in their corner. Taking that first step takes courage, and these grads did it! Now, they’re ready to move forward and take on the job search. We’re cheering you on. Now, let’s get you back to work! 💼🙌 #StepUpDurham #JobsWeek #CareerReadiness #DurhamNC

Want to make an impact in the Durham community? Help us give others a second chance. 💙 Meet Humberto, a veteran who came to StepUp Durham to rebuild his life after wrongful incarceration. With support from StepUp, he pursued paralegal classes and secured a role with Legal Aid’s DEAR Program. Today, he helps others move forward through license restoration and expungement services. Your support of Ready. Set. RISE! helps provide the training, resources, and community that make new beginnings possible. Read Humberto’s full story and support our Fall Campaign at the link in bio!

Meet Whitney! She’s navigating a career transition and discovered StepUp Durham at her local library. Through our program, Whitney’s tapping into valuable resources and networking opportunities. Her journey highlights how tailored support can spark change and foster growth within our community. Want to make a difference in the lives of others navigating the job market? Our Fall Campaign is in full swing! Ready, Set, RISE with us! Link in bio or visit www.stepupdurham.org/campaign-26.

There are many paths toward stable work. Whatever brings you to StepUp Durham, we’re glad you’re here. 💙 You bring the determination. We’ll bring job training, coaching, resources, and ongoing support to help you take the next step.

Oh look, it’s our favorite supporter. YOU! 👀 Haven’t donated to StepUp Durham’s Fall Campaign yet? There’s still time to help us reach our $50,000 goal. Your gift supports people navigating all kinds of paths back to stable work: 💙 A mom returning to the workforce after years spent raising her kids. 💙 An uncle rebuilding after incarceration. 💙 A dad recovering from a workplace injury. 💙 A sister ready for a career change. 💙 A son transitioning from military service to civilian work. 💙 A parent seeking safety after domestic violence and working toward financial independence. 💙 A neighbor rebuilding confidence after a period of mental health challenges. Each person brings determination. StepUp brings job training, coaching, resources, and ongoing support to help them take the next step. Your support today helps someone move forward tomorrow. Can we count on you? Link in bio to donate or sponsor our fall campaign. Or visit www.stepupdurham.org/campaign-26.

This is what opportunity looks like in action. 💙 At Jobs Week, Durham job seekers build résumés, practice interviews, and strengthen the skills needed to succeed at work. For participants returning after an employment gap or navigating barriers related to justice involvement, our success coaches offer guidance, resources, and support that extends beyond the job search to life skills and lasting stability. This is the work your support makes possible. Ready, Set, RISE with us! Link in bio to donate or become a sponsor of our 2026 Fall Campaign!

We’re incredibly grateful for the community partners who help turn ideas into opportunity—and we’re especially excited to introduce The Doorway Project. 💙 Created through a collaboration between an incredible team from the @dukeuniversity Code+ program and StepUp Durham, The Doorway Project is a simple, accessible digital bridge to jobs, resources, support, and hope for Durham residents navigating reentry, unemployment, housing instability, or other challenging seasons. Designed with real-life barriers in mind—from limited technology experience to older smartphones and limited internet access—it helps make opportunity easier to find, right from your phone. Because sometimes opening the right door can change what comes next. We’re so grateful to Duke Code+ for helping us build it—and we can’t wait to share more.

Nancy came to StepUp Durham looking for support as she balanced motherhood, school, and her career goals. Through resume building, interview preparation, job search support, and connections to community resources, she gained the skills—and confidence—to keep moving forward. Today, Nancy has earned her Associate in Science degree and BioWork Certification and is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Microbiology at North Carolina Central University. 🎓✨ Nancy’s story shows what’s possible when opportunity, support, and determination come together. Read more about her journey and how you can help others reach their goals. Check out our links or visit https://www.stepupdurham.org/latest-news/nancy-rosales-journey Visit the link in our bio to learn more, donate, or become a sponsor of Ready, Set, Rise! #ReadySetRise #StepUpDurham #JobStability #CommunityImpact

Labor Day was created to honor the workers whose contributions, determination, and advocacy have helped build our communities and shape our country. At StepUp Durham, we believe in the dignity of work—and in ensuring everyone has the opportunity, support, and resources to build a career and a more stable future. Today, we celebrate workers everywhere and the many paths that lead to meaningful employment. Happy Labor Day from StepUp Durham! 💙

Ready. Set. RISE! 🚀 This fall, we’re raising $50,000 to help Durham job seekers move beyond barriers and toward stronger careers, lasting stability, and brighter futures. Every gift helps provide the training, coaching, resources, and support that turn determination into opportunity. ✨ Give. Sponsor. Be part of someone’s next step. Interested in becoming a Ready. Set. RISE! sponsor? Contact Meg at meg@stepupdurham.org to learn more. #ReadySetRISE #StepUpDurham #DurhamNC

Our Back-to-School Block Party was a wonderful reminder of the power of community! Families came together to connect, have fun, access resources, and celebrate our children as they head into a new school year. We were also excited to help students start the year prepared with backpacks and school supplies. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered, donated, and helped make the day possible. We’re especially grateful to our community partners @ibm, @legalaidnc @bikedurham, and @bridgespointenc and to Keith Bullard with USSW @raiseupthesouth for donating 150 backpacks filled with school supplies for our community. A special shoutout also goes to StepUp Durham participant Jamie Leacock of True Colors by JBird for bringing even more joy to the day with face painting! It truly takes a village, and we’re grateful for ours. Thank you for making this year’s Back-to-School Block Party one to remember! 💙

Still reflecting on the incredible energy from @walltownchildrenstheatre at our IMPACT26 event last month. Grateful for the way our Durham community continues to show up — celebrating young talent, uplifting local organizations, and creating spaces where connection and community truly shine. Proud to see so many impactful partners visible, engaged, and building together for Durham. 🩷🧡💜💙💛

Of course, all of our Success Coaches and Program Leaders bring great communication, organization, and amazing vibes to the team. But give it up for Nakeeta and Bill for playing along for this fun trend! 👏✨ #friyay #feelgoodfriday #stepupdurham

We’re excited to welcome Walltown Children’s Theatre (@walltownchildrenstheatre) as the entertainment for IMPACT26! 🎭✨ Since 2000, WCT has empowered young people from diverse backgrounds through performing arts and youth development—helping them build confidence, express creativity, and strengthen our community. Rooted in Walltown and serving Durham and the Triangle, their performances celebrate connection, opportunity, and the power of youth voices. We can’t wait for them to bring that energy to the IMPACT26 stage! 🎟️ Secure your tickets or support the mission today. Visit the link in bio or go to www.stepupdurham.org/impact26 to purchase tickets or make a donation. 💙

Congratulations to our newest Jobs Week graduates! 🎉 📩 Learn more: info@stepupdurham.org Completing Step1 is more than building job readiness—it’s taking the first step toward new opportunities and joining a community that’s here to support you along the way. Ready to take your first step? We offer FREE employment readiness training, personalized job coaching, employer referrals, and support for job seekers, including those with barriers to employment. 📩 Learn more: info@stepupdurham.org

Step up. Turn up. Show up. 😎🎶 Confidence starts with the first step. What’s a tune that makes you feel unstoppable? 👇

🎉 Congratulations to our September Jobs Week graduates! Step1 is officially in the books! Each participant has now been matched with a Success Coach who will walk alongside them as an accountability partner throughout their journey. We can’t wait to continue working with you all through Step2 as you work toward landing a job, finding greater stability, and building a stronger foundation for your future. From mock interviews and resume strengthening to navigating work gaps, professionalism, and so much more, our team goes beyond the modules. We build confidence, provide encouragement, and create the supportive community so many people are looking for as they take their next steps. Here’s to the journey ahead! 👏

A heartfelt thank you to @lakewood_social for choosing StepUp Durham as your July Nonprofit Partner of the Month, and to every guest who dined with purpose on Tuesdays throughout July. Together, you helped raise $1,779.69 to support Durham job seekers as they build sustainable careers and brighter futures. We’re so grateful for this incredible partnership and for a community that shows up to make a difference. 💙

We have complete confidence in our ENERG Coordinator/Success Coach Kevin… …and that’s exactly why we let him star in this trend. 😂 Disclaimer: Everyone in this reel is genuinely tech-savvy. Any social media mishaps depicted are purely fictional and for entertainment purposes only.

A big shoutout to our August Jobs Week participants on completing Step1! 🎉👏 You showed up, put in the work, and took an important step toward job readiness, greater stability, and new opportunities. And you’re not doing it alone. At StepUp Durham, you have a community that cares, believes in you, and is here to support you along the way. We can’t wait to keep the momentum going. Step2 awaits! 💙

Meet Kayla! 👋 New to Durham and looking for a job, she came to StepUp after her mother, a former participant, shared her positive experience. Now we’re here to support Kayla as she takes her next step. 💙 You can help more people like Kayla through our Ready. Set. RISE! fall campaign. Donate at the link in our bio or contact meg@stepupdurham.org about sponsorship opportunities. Then come celebrate with us at Fall Fest! 🎉 📅 Friday, November 13 | 3:30–8 p.m. 📍 Hi-Wire Brewing, 800 Taylor St., Durham Enjoy local creatives, artists, and entrepreneurs, plus beer, food, games, and more! Admission is free, and the whole family is welcome. Bring your friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors. Pull up, pop out, and have some fun with us! 🎨🍻

Warming up for the week ahead… 💪 Stretching into Monday and getting ready for another week of showing up, creating opportunities, building connections, and taking steps forward. Because at StepUp Durham, we know a little preparation goes a long way. 😉 Let’s get to work! 👏 #StepUpDurham #MondayMotivation #DurhamNC

A big thank you to @ibm for making an impact! 💙 During IBM Impact Day, volunteers created digital STEM flashcards, personalized pencil cases, and filled 50 backpacks with supplies for families attending our Back-to-School Block Party. We’re also grateful for the opportunity to share StepUp Durham’s mission with the IBM team. Thank you to everyone who gave their time and talents to support our families. Stay tuned for photos and a recap from the Block Party!

StepUp Durham was grateful to be part of the recent ReEntry Community Resource Fair at The Village in East Durham, hosted by the @cityofdurhamnc’s Welcome Home reentry program. 💙 It was a great day of connection, community partnerships and expanding access to resources for our neighbors returning home. Thank you to everyone who made it possible!

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StepUp Durham was grateful to be part of the recent ReEntry Community Resource Fair at The Village in East Durham, hosted by the @cityofdurhamnc’s Welcome Home reentry program.