About Us

A Few Words

About Step-Up

Step-Up, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit agency that opened its doors on January 1, 2003.

Step-Up, Inc. was founded in 2003 by two community members who saw the effects of HIV on their family, friends, and neighbors and decided to do something about it. One of them, Paula French, even lost her younger brother Steve to the epidemic in 1994. Although Step-Up has grown over the years, the principles we bring to our work remain the same. Step-Up is focused on improving the health of the underserved and marginalized communities by meeting our clients where they are at, opposing inequity and stigma, and empowering individuals. Step-Up, Inc. expanded from a two-person operation into a robust agency that provides prevention, education, care coordination, medical case management, and counseling to a wide array of vulnerable members in our community.

We Provide Essential

Community Health Services

In our daily activities, we strive to help people generate personal wellness through getting tested, accessing and adhering to medications, having safe housing, adequate nutrition, and sound mental health.

Mission

Our mission is to provide comprehensive care and resources for wellness with dignity and inclusivity.

Vision

Our vision is to help the people we serve stabilize and thrive in theircommunity.

Michael Martin Drain
President and CEO

A Message From Our CEO

I am honored to address you as the new President and CEO of Step-Up, Inc. It is with immense pride and excitement that I share with you the incredible accomplishments we have achieved together in the past year.

First and foremost, our commitment to excellence and service expansion has been realized through the strategic growth of our team. I am thrilled to announce that we have successfully expanded our staff to meet the increasing service needs of our community. This accomplishment is a testament to our dedication to providing the highest quality support to those who rely on us for assistance.

One of our most significant achievements is the impressive 71% retention rate in housing and employment for the individuals we serve. This milestone reflects the effectiveness of our programs and the commitment of our team to empowering individuals to build stable and fulfilling lives. I commend my team for their dedication to this crucial aspect of our mission.

Our continued efforts to build strong community partnerships have yielded remarkable results. We have seen a substantial increase in collaborations with local organizations, businesses, and government agencies. These partnerships not only enhance the scope of our services but also contribute to the creation of a more comprehensive and interconnected support system for our clients.

Step-Up, Inc. continues to take the lead in the field of reentry by expanding its reach by establishing a presence in nine correctional facilities. This expansion enables us to provide INPEP training and peer support to incarcerated individuals, facilitating their successful reintegration into society. This accomplishment is a significant step forward in our ongoing mission to break the cycle of incarceration and empower individuals to lead meaningful and productive lives.

In addition to our correctional facility expansion, Step-Up, Inc. has continued to make a positive impact within our community. We proudly provided services to 823 individuals living with HIV, offering a diverse range of programs tailored to address their unique needs and challenges. This accomplishment reflects our commitment to making a tangible and lasting difference in the lives of those we serve.

Connections Plus Program set a record high for clients served during our Falling into Care Community Day event with over 263 individuals in attendance.
Step-Up hosted the National Public Health AmeriCorps staff and Serve Indiana for a site visit.

2023 Highlights

PEP Program Specialist, Ladessa Sparks, was selected to represent the voice of a person with lived experience during Marion County Re-Entry Coalition's Electronic Monitoring Simulation and Panel discussion. Read this story in the 2023 Annual Report, page 21.
Step-Up hosted a Community Health Worker and Certified Recovery Specialist training in June. A long-time reentry client was able to attend and obtain their certification. Read this story in the 2023 Annual Report, page 17.
2023

Year In Review

We are privileged to work alongside dedicated community partners who are fundamental to our mission. The support and commitment of these partners enable us to deliver high-quality services to those in our community who need them the most. Through collaborative efforts and shared goals, we ensure that every individual receives the support and opportunities they deserve. We are grateful for the continued dedication of our partners, as it enhances our ability to make a meaningful impact.

January

  • Solidified the plan to move forward with CaseWorthy, a case management platform, supported by The Indianapolis Foundation.

February

  • Staff attended Indiana State House for HIV Advocacy Day and National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.
  • OutPEP held its first graduation for participants of the Madison County Problem Solving Court.

March

  • PEP team members presented at the World Tuberculosis Summit.
  • Quality Manager, Mara White, attended the national Training-of-Trainers Program in Dallas, TX, focusing on quality improvement principles and practices.

April

  • Connections team held the Spring into Care Community Day event at the Haughville Library, providing food support, hygiene products, haircuts, and access to supportive services.

May

  • PEP team presents at the 2023 Infectious Disease Summit, showcasing how “Correctional Health is Community Health”.
  • Director of Reentry: Abby Carr, Quality Manager: Mara White, and Step-Up Founder: Paula French, planned and hosted an event to celebrate Step-Up’s 20 years of service.

June

  • Step-Up was honored to be a Change Maker finalist for Impact 100 Greater Indianapolis.
  • Step-Up hosted a Community Health Worker and Certified Recovery Specialist training; a long-time reentry client was able to obtained their certification.

July

  • COMPASS program launches its first initiative aiming to provide support and assistance for gender-affirming care to the Transgender/Gender Diverse community members.

August

  • Mental Health Clinician, Jason Jones, attended a 5-Day Intensive Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy training in Tacoma, WA.

September

  • PEP and LEAP-IN team members presented at the 2023 Unity Conference.

October

  • Re-Entry team members attended the National Conference on Correctional Health, learning how to improve correctional health care while emphasizing the importance of people with lived experience.

November

  • Connections team held its second community day event of the year, Falling into Care, on the Far East Side, providing essential food, warm coats, flu shots, testing, and access to vital supportive services.
  • HepLink Care Coordinator, Joey Beyers, and AmeriCorps Member, Trevor Payne, were nominated for the 2023 Serve Indiana Awards.

December

  • Step-Up announces the 2023 Employee of the Year, Jake Zello-Dean.
  • Quality Manager, Mara White, was invited to New York to participate in the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) & the Center for Quality Improvement and Innovation (CQII) Expert Meeting on Sustainability.