When I first stepped through Stepping Stone’s doors in 2018, I came simply to help. At the time, I was a business owner looking for ways to give back, to serve others, and to make a difference in my community. I started volunteering at the shelter—helping with meals, connecting with residents, and getting to know the mission.
What I didn’t know then was that those simple acts of service would eventually transform not just how I see homelessness, but how I understand purpose, faith, and connection.
In November 2019, our family experienced the unthinkable loss of our son, Waylon. The weeks that followed were filled with heartbreak, and in the midst of grief, our family decided to do something that felt meaningful. At Christmas, my wife, parents, and kids came together to donate and serve a meal to Stepping Stone residents in Waylon’s honor. That act of giving became a small light in the darkness — a reminder that even in loss, love could still take form through service.
A few weeks later, I began thinking seriously about what was next for me. As a business owner, finances had always been unpredictable, and I wanted to bring more stability to my family. But beyond that, I wanted my work to mean something. Around that time, I learned that Stepping Stone was hiring a Development Officer. I thought to myself, this is just sales of a different kind — instead of selling a product, I’d be sharing a mission.
After a few conversations with then-Executive Director Julie Jepsen and one of our board members, I was offered the position and officially joined the team in February 2020 — just weeks before the world shut down with the pandemic.
Since then, I’ve often said I’ve never been more fulfilled in any job in my life.
Finding Purpose in the Work
When I joined Stepping Stone, I hoped to make a difference for our residents — but I quickly realized that transformation happens across every level of our work. Our residents, our staff, our volunteers, and our community all grow together.
Being surrounded by people who care deeply — people who show up for others every single day — has been healing for me personally. The generosity of our community continues to amaze me. It’s humbling to see how much people want to help when they’re given a way to do it.
This job has also stretched me. I live at the intersection of poverty and abundance — one moment talking with someone who has lost everything, and the next with someone who has the means to help them rebuild. That contrast has given me perspective and deepened my empathy. I’ve learned to see the humanity in every person, regardless of their story, background, or beliefs.
The Middle Way
Over the past few years, my spiritual journey has influenced how I see this work. I’ve come to embrace what I call the middle way — moving beyond either/or thinking and recognizing the “both/and” that exists in most situations.
That philosophy helped inspire Stepping Stone’s Stability First approach — a middle way between “Housing First” and “Treatment First.” We believe people can’t heal or move forward until they have stability. Housing without support can fail, and treatment without a safe place to return to can unravel progress.
Stability isn’t a reward — it’s the foundation. It’s the space where healing begins, where transformation takes root, and where lasting change becomes possible.
Transformation in Action
Transformation doesn’t belong to one group of people — it flows through everyone who comes close to this mission. I’ve seen volunteers who thought they were giving their time walk away saying, “I got more out of that than I gave.” I’ve watched donors deepen their involvement, realizing that giving isn’t just about money — it’s about connection.
And I’ve experienced it myself.
During the pandemic, when many therapy services were still virtual, we had an incident where a resident attempted to take his own life. In the aftermath, I helped organize a small group of volunteers to simply be present at the shelter — to eat dinner, play pool, and sit with residents who were struggling. That night, I had a 20-minute conversation with an older gentleman. When we finished, he said, “Thank you. I can’t remember the last time someone sat down, looked me in the eye, and just talked with me.”
That moment changed me. It reminded me that transformation often begins with something as simple as being present — with a conversation, a shared meal, or a kind word.
Growth and Gratitude
Since joining Stepping Stone, my role has grown alongside the organization. I started as Development Officer and today manage marketing, social media, database systems, and grant writing — all while helping lead our message of hope and stability into new communities.
Our expansion into Washington County, where we’ll operate the new Emergency Housing Services Building, is another example of how our mission continues to evolve. Through it all, I’ve been encouraged to learn, innovate, and grow. AI has become one of the tools helping me share stories, improve efficiency, and elevate how we connect with our supporters.
But technology aside, the heart of our work remains unchanged: people helping people. Meeting each person where they are — resident, volunteer, or donor — and walking with them toward stability.
Join the Transformation
What keeps me committed to this mission isn’t just seeing residents find stable housing. It’s watching volunteers, donors, and staff experience their own transformations through service.
If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to make a real difference, I invite you to find out. Volunteer. Donate. Visit the shelter. Sit down and share a meal. Look someone in the eye and listen.
Because at Stepping Stone, transformation doesn’t just happen to people — it happens through people.
And when we show up for others, we find that we’re transformed too.