Stepping Stones relocating to better serve victims of abuse

Stepping Stones, Inc. has signed a purchase agreement to acquire the former Gowey Abstract & Title Company building at 151 South 2nd Street in Medford for the purpose of expanding its services and increasing accessibility for victims, survivors, and community members in Taylor County.

Stepping Stones is a 501(c)3 non-profit agency that has been servicing Taylor County since 1978. It provides free, confidential services to all individuals and their loved ones who have been affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, teen dating violence, bullying, intimate partner violence, stalking, and human trafficking, in addition to community education and prevention efforts.

“We are intimately familiar with the needs of the population we serve,” said Courtney Scholl, Co-Director & Programs Coordinator of Stepping Stones. “For many years, the property on Broadway served as a communal shelter with limited office space. Now, we recognize that private, offsite emergency shelter serves survivors best.”

According to the Co-Directors, their current 100+ year old building is not physically accessible to all individuals; it has multiple levels. Lack of space is a barrier for agency planning, presentations, community education, and support group meetings. It is inconvenient and inefficient for staff to work together for the benefit of survivors. Whereas, the new building, with some renovation, would provide an appropriate amount of space to carry out their mission of responding to and preventing violence within the county. This location will allow them to work in partnership with other local non-profits to provide added benefits to the populations they serve. The new facility offers a degree of anonymity with safer parking options, as well.

“We require office space for the multitude of professionals needed to carry out our mission now,” said Scholl. “No amount of renovation to our current building can turn it into what it needs to be.”

“The decision to relocate was made quite some time ago, years as a matter of fact,” said Shanna Kestler, Co-Director & Office Coordinator. “It wasn’t until now that an appropriate building became available. We’re accepting bids for the needed renovations now.”

It is estimated that between the purchase of the property and the renovations required, it will cost the non-profit approximately $580,000 or more. When the current building is sold, the net revenues of that sale will be put towards the principle of the new, but it isn’t going to be enough.

“This move was necessary to support the needs of our population by expanding programs for advocacy and direct service” said Taylor Reinhardt, President of Stepping Stones Board of Directors. “We are confident in the financial sustainability of this plan, but community fundraising is vital for continued operation.”

Domestic violence and sexual abuse affects all populations regardless of their background, financial status, race, religion, age, class, sexual orientation, or general identity. Many survivors of abuse do not publicly come forward due to fear of judgment or shame. In the last four years, the organization has served approximately 286+ survivors; 65 were children. These numbers are expected to increase.

“We work with vulnerable populations,” said Kestler. “Without our services, some individuals would not have the critical, lifesaving supports and connections they need. For 50% of the survivors we serve, we believe we are the only support they utilize while dealing with abuse and assault.”

Stepping Stones has provided support services for primary and secondary survivors ranging in age from newborn to 75+ years old. Primary survivors have directly experienced abuse. Secondary survivors have witnessed or been affected by the abuse. In the past four years:

  87% of survivors were female; 12% male, 1% transgender.

  20% of survivors identified as a race other than White/Caucasian

  5% of survivors were non-English speaking.

  14% self-identified as a person with a disability

  7% self-identified as a member of the LGBTQ+ community

  Staff has assisted in the filing of over 100 restraining orders since 2018. Eighty-nine percent (89%) of these requests were from survivors who felt they were in immediate danger of being harmed if they did not obtain protection.

  50% of the survivors needed legal and medical assistance.

“Everyone deserves a relationship free from violence,” said Scholl. “Without intervention, the frequency and severity of the abuse tends to increase over time. Higher rates of depression and suicidal behaviors are also correlated with abuse.”

“The need for support is real,” said Kestler.

“We need the community’s help,” said Scholl.

If you’d like to contribute to Stepping Stones’ building and service expansion fund, monetary gifts can be mailed to: Stepping Stones, Attention: Co-Directors, at P.O. Box 224 Medford, WI 54451.

For anyone affected by abuse or needing support, call the office at 715-748-3795, the 24/7 crisis line at 715-748-5140, or the confidential text line 715-965-9109.