Join the Next STEPP Center in celebrating 30 years of serving the community on Oct. 28 at the historic Coliseum, 535 4th Ave N, St. Petersburg.
BY BLANCHE L. GANEY | Contributor
ST. PETERSBURG – The Next STEPP Center – services to those experiencing pregnancy or parenting – will host its 30th-anniversary celebration at the historic St. Petersburg Coliseum on Oct. 28. The event will celebrate past achievements as well as feature its amazing plans to impact future generations.
The St. Petersburg Pregnancy Center, also known as The Next STEPP Center, is celebrating the nearly 30,000 lives touched and changed since the doors to the new building on “The Deuces” (22nd Street South) officially opened back in 1994.
Although the sign on the front of the building read, “Pregnancy Center and Family Resources,” neighbors, not sure what the center was all about, would stop by to say hello and do a bit of investigating. Many of them were women who resided in the Jordan Park housing community.
Pictured above is one of the many families who have thanked CEO Carole Alexander for helping them through difficult times.
“The young women who stopped by in the early years were curious about us but quickly learned we were the place where they could be heard, cared for, nurtured, and that built trust,” said Carole Alexander, who has served as CEO since the doors opened.
Carole Alexander
The center continues to do business at 1210 22nd St. S, in Midtown, serving a community most in need of the free, culturally responsive services offered. The early visitors learned that the center provided free pregnancy tests, options counseling, pregnancy and parenting education and support groups.
Based on the needs expressed by the community, the center also established a well-stocked boutique where moms and dads could earn points to “shop” for needed baby items. As a Christian ministry, the center uses a holistic approach and addresses the spiritual needs of those served.
Since its beginning, the center has expanded its services to offer STI testing, limited obstetric ultrasounds, post-abortion recovery and community outreach and referrals. Next STEPP has recently partnered with Healthy Start at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital to offer much-needed, no-cost women’s wellness services to improve racial disparities in health and wellness, maternal mortality and birth outcomes.
Alexander talks about the center’s impact in building strong families and communities across generations.
“I am amazed that nearly every day I’m out and about, I encounter people at grocery stores, post offices, restaurants, who approach me and say, ‘Aren’t you the lady from the pregnancy center? Do you remember me,’” said Alexander.
She said whether she says yes or no, they start sharing with her the impact Next STEPP has had on their lives. Alexander said sometimes they stop her to show off a baby in a stroller that they now cherish.
“Thank you for helping me to understand my baby has worth above and beyond my fears,” they would share.
Alexander shared about the couple that stopped to update her on their life’s events: “We were married about 15 years ago because of the counseling and support we received from you all. We have three kids now and are so thankful for Next STEPP.”
Pete Mishler, chairman of the Next STEPP board of directors, watches in amazement as the advocates and other volunteers at the center come alongside women and families experiencing unintended pregnancies with compassion, kindness, and reassurance.
“The Next STEPP Center addresses what I believe is one of the greatest injustices of our generation, and they are like the Underground Railroad of our day in St. Petersburg,” said Mishler.
“The Next STEPP Center is one of the most under-appreciated services in the city,” said Alfreda Brown, a former volunteer and staff member. “For 30 years, Next STEPP has made itself available to anyone who has come through the door regardless of race, religion or economic status.”
The Next STEPP Center is thankful for the nearly 30,000 lives they’ve touched and the 6,300 babies that have been given a chance at life because the center embraces their moms and dads, offering physical, emotional, social, and spiritual support throughout the pregnancy and parenting experience.
Cheryl Gerke is a Next STEPP participant advocate who works directly with families. “I sensed the call of God to serve those in need as an avenue to share faith and hope and point people to Him,” she stated. “It is fulfilling to be able to serve parents at such a significant time in their lives.”
Thirty years of providing life-affirming solutions to women, men and families fuels the drive to continue the vital work of impacting lives at Next STEPP. So, on Saturday, Oct. 28, they will open the doors to the Coliseum to celebrate the many donors, volunteers, churches, community partners, and those who have allowed us to serve them.
Please plan to join the Next STEPP Center by visiting nextsteppcelebration.org or calling the center at 727-896-9119 to RSVP, donate, sponsor or learn more.
There is no cost to attend; however, RSVP is required. Please click here to register by Oct. 20.
