Event helps Stepping Stones with continuing services

Stepping Stones staff, board members and volunteers are gearing up for the 4th annual Art and Wine Gala to be held on Saturday, Oct. 4.

The event will once again be held at Centennial Community Center in Stetsonville. The event serves as the single largest fundraiser for the nonprofit agency, allowing staff to address the needs of and advocating for victims of domestic violence and prevention.

Director Courtney Scholl noted the gala has grown since it was started. “It has been a tremendous success,” she said, noting that there has been amazing community support for it.

“I have to thank our board members who make it a success, the amount of time and effort put in is a labor of love,” she said. In addition to staff and board members, community volunteers including high school students work to make the event a success each year.

“It has grown every year,” she said. Those attending the event will enjoy the talents of musician Matt Jaye as they check out the art pieces and other items that will be included in the live auction. In addition there will be a number of basket raffles with items for a variety of interests. Refreshments will include an ultimate loaded mashed potato bar accompanied by hors d'oeuvres, as well as distinctive wine and whiskey tastings.

Scholl explained the live auction will include between 15 and 20 pieces of art. “We are pretty liberal with what we consider art,” said Stepping Stones board chair Taylor Reinhardt, noting that they have items ranging from paint on canvas to metal art and furniture. “There is something for everybody,” he said.

The recommended semi-formal attire for the event also gives people a chance to dress up, although Scholl said they want people to feel comfortable.

As with any nonprofit agency, Stepping Stones accepts donations throughout the year, but the gala has becomes the group’s largest fundraising event, which has helped the organization maintain services while dealing with the loss of funds elsewhere and the disruption of programs on the federal and state levels.

Scholl explained that while the agency actively seeks funding, many times grants focus on specific programs or services with restrictions on using money for operational expenses. Money raised through the gala and other fundraising efforts to be used where they are needed and for the agency to expand the sorts of things that they can do to help victims of domestic violence.

Scholl noted that each year the agency serves about 100 local victims of domestic abuse in the community. She explained that the individual needs of each person vary from needing emergency shelter to providing peer support, legal help or a person to talk with about their experience.

“It all depends on the needs of survivors,” she said.

One of the major changes with Stepping Stones in recent years has been transitioning from providing on-site shelter for victims of domestic abuse to providing those services off-site. She said they have actually been able to get victims into secure housing faster in this model, along with the recognition that some people need time alone to process domestic violence incidents.

Scholl noted that many times financial control is a dynamic of domestic abuse and that being able to offer a victim a gas card or gift card to purchase needs can make a really big difference in the victim’s ability to leave an abusive situation.

The agency maintains a 24-hour crisis line (available at 715-748-5140 or 866-343-5140). They also provide support for victims helping to explain the court process, securing restraining orders and going to medical appointments as needed.

In addition, Stepping Stones works with prevention through raising community awareness, and youth diversion programs. Scholl said they work to educate young people on the danger signs of abuse and what healthy relationships look like.

Providing these services in a changing grant and financial landscape takes the support of the entire community. Scholl explained that last year they learned of reductions in the federal victims of crimes act (VOCA) funding. This is money from fines assessed in federal court and is used to support victim advocacy programs nationwide. Unfortunately, VOCA funding was cut last year leading to Stepping Stones and other agencies like it to look at making cuts and adapting while still maintaining the much-needed services to the community.

Scholl said Wisconsin has done an amazing job of advocating for victims’ needs and that state leaders have come together to look at bringing in more funds to supplement the loss of VOCA funding.

Scholl said that loss of funding hit home the importance of the agency needing to diversify funding sources so that Stepping Stones can continue serving local needs regardless of what happens at the state or national level.

People can help Stepping Stones with their mission by taking part in the Art and Wine Gala. Tickets are available online at bit.ly2025SSGala or through the Stepping Stones Facebook page.