Join the StepUp Durham Community

Step1 - Work

Job seekers begin their partnership with StepUp Durham by attending Jobs Week, our 4-day job-readiness workshop held each month. During and after Jobs Week, they receive support in naming their strengths and goals, addressing their barriers and challenges, expanding their network, targeting their resumes, practicing interview skills, and connecting to employers. Our goal is that everyone in Step1 is employed within 45 days of starting StepUp Durham and making at least $17/hr.

The following are volunteer roles you might consider:

  • Provide a simulated interview experience for job seekers, offering feedback on strengths and areas for growth. Sessions usually occur on the second Friday of each month, 9:30-11:00am. There are periodic virtual sessions as well.

  • Create, update, or modify job seeker resumes in one-on-one sessions. In-person sessions usually occur on the second Wednesday of each month, 11:20am-12:30pm. There are periodic virtual sessions as well.

  • Provide lunch for Jobs Week attendees on one day of the 4-day monthly workshop, usually the second Tuesday-Friday.

  • Support employment seekers through one-on-one job searching conversations, connecting seekers with job leads, and referring participants to Step2 once employed. Timing is flexible, usually about 2-3 hours per week on an ongoing basis.

    Please note: this role is reserved for experienced Step1 volunteers

Step2 - Grow

Step2 is a multi-phased curriculum in which working families set and accomplish their personal, financial, and professional goals.

The following are volunteer roles you might consider:

  • Walk alongside and support a StepUp participant as they set and accomplish their personal, professional, and financial goals. Sessions are weekly on Tuesday 6:00-8:00pm for 8 consecutive weeks followed by a 5 week break. Volunteers commit for all 8 weeks.

  • Create action plans with Step2 participants to achieve their goals while connecting them with resources needed for stability. Timing is flexible, usually about 2-3 hours per week on an ongoing basis.

    Please note: this role is reserved for experienced Step2 volunteers

  • Lead Step2 trainings on topics needed to grow stable relationships, finances, and/or professional skills. Some facilitator roles are weekly on Tuesday 6:00-8:00pm for 8 consecutive weeks followed by a 5 week break. Other facilitators present for only one or two of those weeks.

  • Provide dinner for Step2 meetings. This can be either by donation of cooked food or by financial contribution to purchase dinner. Can provide once or as many times during the 8 week phases as you'd like.

StepUp Kidz

StepUp Durham Kidz supports the families of Step2 parents as they develop their own financial stability and habits while also encouraging children's personal and academic well being and success.

The following are volunteer roles you might consider:

  • Work with Step2 Coordinator and Childcare Lead to create learning and play opportunities for Step2 kids

  • Support StepUp Durham youth with completing academic assignments

  • Play with, care for, and nurture Step2 children

Board Of Young Professionals

We work to engage our community through advocacy, volunteering, networking & fundraising. Our goal is to connect, support, and engage with young professionals passionate about transforming lives and our community.

    • Be a Young Professional (ages 25 - 40)

    • Attend Monthly Meetings

    • Make an Annual Donation (any personally meaningful amount)

    • Assist in Organizing Biannual Fundraisers and Friendraisers

    • Engage Local Networks in Support of StepUp Durham

    • Interaction with StepUp Durham Board of Directors

    • Interaction & Volunteer Opportunities with Participants

    • Recognition on StepUp Durham Website

    • Expand Your Professional Network, Make a Difference, and Have Fun!

General Organization Support

  • Serve as an at-large member of a committee of the Board. Commitment is 1-2 hours per month.

  • Help set up or serve at a fundraising event, lend a hand with mailings or call-a-thons, stay tuned and choose your involvement as needs arise. Opportunities are generally 1-3 hours.

Become a StepUp Durham Volunteer

Are you interested in giving the gift of time and talent as a StepUp Durham Volunteer?