Aug 9 / OEO Staff

STEPS' Head Start Bus Reaches Clients Where They Live

STEPS, Inc.’s Head Start Outreach Bus is on the move and making a real difference in Farmville. The bus, the first of its kind in Virginia, was created to recruit during the pandemic. STEPS allocated some of their funding to wrap one of their older buses in vinyl and use the newly repurposed vehicle to travel into low-income neighborhoods in the area. The reinvented bus identifies the STEPS staff when they drive into the community, giving them a sense of security when visiting these areas. “Now our community members know right away who we are and why we are there,” says Head Start Jessica Lehman.

Additionally, they have purchased mobile hotspots, battery operated fans, and chargers for laptops and printers. STEPS has recently acquired a desk for the bus which they plan to install after removing a few rows of seats in the back. They will use the desk when they meet clients in their neighborhood. Jessica adds, “We have used the bus at events, family fun days, in parades, and at our community recruitment events!”

STEPS is a dynamic 501 (c) 3 not for profit serving South Central Virginia that is dedicated to creating a stronger community through housing, education, workforce, and economic development. They also offer Secure Document Destruction and Recycling services as well as a public transportation route that serves Cumberland County. Together, STEPS empowerS community members to become self-sufficient and goal-oriented so they can move their lives forward.

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The Virginia Community Action Partnership and the Virginia Office of Economic Opportunity works together to provide all Virginia Community Action Agencies with the training and technical assistance needed to be successful. We aim to provide training for all levels of staff at an agency and board members.

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