Mother finds success on third try at employment, life skills training program 

The third time was a charm for Brooke Jackson. 

The mother of three finally completed self-improvement programs at StepUp Ministry that she first began in 2023, but dropped out of twice.

“Things went well for a while until life showed up and I had to separate from the program,” Jackson said, referring to the first time she left. “The second time, I was determined. I made it a little further but once again, life showed up.” 

Jackson’s remarks came last week during StepUp’s graduation ceremony in Raleigh. She stood tall and proud as the program’s class speaker. She received the honor because of her perseverance in completing the program on her third try.

“Life didn’t stop lifing” on the third attempt, Jackson told the crowd that gathered at White Memorial Presbyterian Church to cheer on the graduates and enjoy a celebratory meal.

She said her children were among the reasons she wouldn’t allow herself to quit this time.

“My youngest, she has seen the improvement in me and my confidence, and it gives her confidence to want to try out for things at school and do her best in school,” Jackson told NC Newsline in an interview.  “All of them do pretty well in school, but my youngest is very observant.”

Jackson was one of seven adult graduates who completed StepUp’s jobs and life skills programs. The nearly 40-year-old nonprofit helps individuals and families overcome barriers to stability through employment training, job placement, mentorship and life skills education. 

The nonprofit has served more than 10,000 people since it was founded in 1988. StepUp provides support with employment, legal services, financial management, technology, childcare and other life skills to help participants achieve long-term success.

“We are very much a community-based organization where we’re trying to work with all the different community partners to make sure that people get the resources and the pathway they need to be successful,” said Melvin Breeden, StepUp’s chief operating officer.

Program sees growth 

Breeden said the program saw a 55% increase in demand last fiscal year. The increased interest yielded 746 program enrollments, which exceeded that year’s 650 enrollment goal by 96. 

Breeden said the nonprofit ended the recent fiscal year with 700 program enrollments, signaling a sustained growth in need for the organization’s services amid tough financial times for many low-to-moderate income individuals and families.

“Fifty-four percent of the people that we served last year self-identified as being housing-insecure, which was an uptick from the year before when it was 46%,” Breeden said.

Some participants come to StepUp, Breeden said, already employed but looking for new skills to secure higher-paying jobs so they can afford to pay higher prices for goods and services. 

The organization is fundraising for a new 9,500-square-foot facility on the current site that could serve up to 1,000 people per week. 

The organization is in the process of moving out of its current space and into a temporary facility. A completion date for the new facility has not been set.

Breeden said the new facility will allow more case managers and participants to meet face-to-face. Case managers currently meet participants in the community and over Zoom, he said.

“That is going to change,” Breeden said. “Now we can have a safe space for Brooke to come and have a conversation with her case manager, and she has kids, so she can bring her kids and have a safe space for them to be in.” 

Jackson told NC Newsline that she’s currently unemployed and feels the financial pressures brought on by the economic crisis. 

“I do have three children, so it significantly affects my pockets, having to provide, make sure they are clothed, fed and have everything that they need,” Jackson said. “I feel a lot of it, but it goes back to making my budget and working my budget with the skills and things that I have learned since I’ve been in StepUp. I’ve been able to manage.” 

Jackson said all of the skills she’s learned will be invaluable in her search for a new job and after she finds work. 

“It showed me how to carry myself when I’m looking for jobs, even when I’m just inquiring about jobs, when I call jobs, when I do interviews, how I present myself when I go,” Jackson said. 

Equally important, the program has given her “a lot of confidence,”  Jackson said. 

At the graduation ceremony, she offered words of encouragement to others who might be struggling to complete the program. 

“There’s no shame in trying until you get it right,” Jackson said. “Your journey doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s journey. What matters is that you continue moving forward.”

Jackson told the crowd she’s proud to finally say the words she’d waited to say for a long time – “I finished.”