Mission
IN 1995, THE ADORERS OF THE BLOOD OF CHRIST AND THE SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH COLLABORATED TO ESTABLISH NEW HOPE, NOW CALLED STEPSTONE, IN RESPONSE TO A DANGEROUS GAP IN SERVICES FOR WICHITA'S DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS LEAVING SHORT-TERM SHELTERS. WITHOUT HOUSING OR FINANCIAL RESOURCES, MANY WOMEN AND CHILDREN FACED THE IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE BETWEEN HOMELESSNESS AND RETURNING TO AN ABUSIVE PARTNER. STEPSTONE CREATED A SOLUTION: TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PAIRED WITH COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT SERVICES. IN 2016, STEPSTONE EXPANDED FROM SINGLE FAMILY HOMES SCATTERED THROUGHOUT WICHITA BY BUILDING BLUFFVIEW PLACE, A 28-UNIT APARTMENT COMPLEX. THIS MASSIVE UNDERTAKING SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED HOUSING CAPACITY AND ALLOWED SURVIVORS TO RECEIVE ON-SITE SUPPORT IN A SAFE, SECURE ENVIRONMENT. TODAY, STEPSTONE OFFERS 34 HOUSING UNITS. SUPPORTIVE SERVICES INCLUDE ADVOCACY, SUPPORTIVE COUNSELING, SUPPORT GROUPS, CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS, DIRECT ASSISTANCE, AND SURVIVOR-FOCUSED EVENTS DESIGNED TO FOSTER COMMUNITY.