Initial Reflection

by: Phyllis Elizabeth Holloway

When going through a tough time in your life, you are to take it, "one step at a time." In other words, you take it Step By Step. The organization I am working with has already affected me in a way I did not see possible. Just a few minutes into the orientation I knew I was going to be forever changed and have a new perspective on what it is really like to be a mother. I realized my life has been nearly perfect even when things have not always been so flawless. These women have it tough. This is not just a babysitting program, this is a ministry for the bettering of mothers who just need a little help to see just what they are capable of. After Step By Step was established in 1995, it began providing a place where women could come to have community with other young mothers.

Volunteers at Step By Step getting to know one another
during the first day of orientation.
photo credit:
 Here's the link!

These mothers don't have the childhood graces like other young ladies our ages do. This program provides these young women friendships, mentors, meals, and time. Not only does this organization provide meetings every other week, they provide mentoring throughout every day and continuously stay involved in each of the young women's lives. We learned that many mothers and children that had been involved in the program continue to come back and volunteer later in their lives. The strength that this group of people have shown me has already pulled on my heartstrings.  

Step By Step from Laurie Cobane on Vimeo.
This video is about Step By Step's first meeting.

I am not a young mother, so I cannot truly comprehend what these young ladies go through on a daily basis. Through them, I hope to gain an even newer sense of what strength is. I hope to make friendships while learning skills that will continue to benefit me for the rest of my life. I also hope to continue to remember what being a kid is like. During my first day of volunteering, the children wanted me to go through the caterpillar tunnel with them. It was a very similar situation as shown in the video below. I wasn’t sure I was going to fit… Or how I would even begin to get back out of the tunnel, but I did it for the sake of seeing the children’s faces light up. I didn’t get stuck, but I can imagine that would have simply made them laugh just a little bit more. 

This program shows these young women they do not have to give up, and that they have what it takes to succeed. Not only do they encourage these ladies, they give them the resources they need to change their lives. By bettering the mothers we are bettering the children’s lives. It’s simply amazing what this organization is capable of. I am looking forward to having real talks with these women, and about playing with their children. I hope I am allowed to bless these children and women as much as I feel they have already begun to bless me.