Mission Statement
The S.T.E.V.E. mission is to educate society on homelessness and to provide transitional housing along with case management and services to veterans and others of the homeless population.
Most people in the United States have a stable place to live and enough food to eat. But there are some people who are homeless, meaning they live on the streets or in shelters (temporary housing). They do not have their own home or apartment in which to live. They also may not have enough food to eat. Every night there are approximately 750,000 people who are homeless in America.
Most of us who are housed see homelessness as a nuisance, a blight on America's landscape. But for those who struggle on the streets, battling freezing weather, empty stomaches, and young bullies who beat up on the homeless, homelessness is not a nuisance, it is oppression.
When you stop expecting people to be perfect, you can like them for who they are.
Our Vision
To become an organization who's members have the knowledge, skill, desire and opportunity to personally succeed in a way that leads to collective organizational success, in order to bring about positive change in the lives of the homeless patrons that it serves.
S triving T o E nd V agrancy E verywhere is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with limitless vision as it applies to the homeless in this country. Despite the fact that much is being done in the area of homelessness, more is needed.
The S.T.E.V.E. organization will strive to implement solutions to the elimination of homelessness. Through our Founder's unique perspective, having been homeless himself, we will seek to approach the homeless issue in several ways.
Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves.
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We will create transitional housing opportunities along with rental assistance, allowing individuals to live with self-respect and dignity rather than disarray and disgrace. The rental assistance payments cover the difference between the tenant's contribution (normally 30% percent of income) and the unit's rent, which must be within the fair-market value established by H.U.D. As the homeless community is diverse we do realize that all are not capable of self-sufficiency. Those capable of self-sufficiency will be encouraged and expected to achieve that status within a two (2) to five (5) year time frame. We are guided in this work regardless of ethnicity or religious affiliation.
Transitional Housing
Single Room Occupancy (SRO)
? The "Dome Home" ?
We must become the change we want to see in this country.
Financial Literacy Training Program
The Financial Literacy Training Program (FLT) is designed and delivered in a simplistic yet sturdy format which puts together the foundation for a sound future. The FLT program is extremely successful when utilized by the under-educatued, under-served, and the under-utilized homeless population who have little or no understanding of financial management. The FLT program reconstructs an individual's ability to manage their finances.
Life Management Skills Training Program
The Life Management Skills Training Program (LMS) is designed and delivered in an enlightening format that concentrates on challenges, circumstances and situations that cause us to be vulnerable to becoming our lesser selves. S.T.E.V.E. clients under this program will undergo programming in self-esteem building, health and hygiene, and social etiquette training.
G.E.D. Training Program
The G.E.D. Training Program (GED) is designed and delivered in an engaging and exhaustive format that removes the state of being illiterate and lack of any or enough education. It's available to those within the S.T.E.V.E. program in need of these services. Clients will be encouraged as well as applauded at every step of achieving their G.E.D. and pursuing higher education in their field of service.
Work Readiness Training Program
The Work Readiness Training Program (WRT) is designed to explore and exploit opportunities that are available and tailor-made, thus achieving a stair-step progression made to our clients' skill sets. S.T.E.V.E. programming will prepare our clients to be responsible, reliable, and always ready for the ever-changing workforce environment.
Case Management
Case Management (CM) and client counseling with continued challenges for the clients to journey outside their comfort zones. Case management designed not only to improve life and living conditions of the client, but through educational opportunities as well as social services, these things will be accomplished. This includes food subsidies, health care, etc., as well as teach clients coping techniques.
Drug/Alcohol Recovery Exchange
D rug/ A lcohol R ecovery E xchange (DARE) is an exchange of views and dialog in a group setting between former substance abusers, alcoholics and those currently struggling with addiction. This program is designed to provide help for those seeking an end to their suffering and addictive behaviors. Changing these behaviors is an essential part of obtaining self-sufficiency.
Additional Programs To Be Implemented
Recreation and Activities
Senior Care
Ex-Offenders Re-entry program
Women's Care
Gift of Deliverence (G.O.D.) Speakers' Group
Stephen "Steve" Thomas - Founder/Executive Director
A native of Washington, DC, Steve Thomas struggled early in life with drugs and alcohol. Despite his addiction, Steve was able to engage in several successful careers in the public and private sectors, but his substance abuse followed him throughout his professional life, leading inevitably to being homeless on the street. After 18 months of experiencing homelessness in the District of Columbia, Steve was able to enroll in a recovery program and begin the slow process of rebuilding his life. Today Steve works as an advocate for the poor and homeless. Known in the Washington Metropolitan Area as "Better Believe Steve" ( www.betterbelievesteve.com ), he is a speaker with and former board member of the National Coalition for the Homeless ( www.nationalhomeless.org ), serves as Director of Community Outreach and Development
for STREATS ( www.streats.tv ), is the former chairman of the STREATS Homeless Advisory Council and former treasurer of the Silver Spring Interfaith Housing Coalition (SSIHC) Client Advisory Board. His proudest achievement is the founding of S triving T o E nd V agrancy E verywhere, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization tasked with the mission of bringing transitional housing, case management and other services to the homeless community everywhere.
Alisa Fryar
John Harrison
David Pirtle
Donald Whitehead
Greg Wragg
Rodney L. Walker - Interim Chairperson
Rodney was born and educated in Baltimore, Maryland. He has been married for twenty-seven years and has two wonderful children. Rodney currently works as an Emergency Manager with the Department of Interior in Washington, DC. Retired from the Air Force Reserves after 32 years, he also served in "Operation Iraqi Freedom" during 2003 in Kuwait.
Sebrina Artis Miller - Treasurer
Sebrina is Owner/President of Advanced Accounting and Financial Services, Inc., a firm that provides services to small businesses in Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia. She has over twenty years of accounting experience with large corporations and non-profits. She was also a founding member of Friends for Friends, a non-profit organization promoting HIV/AIDS awareness. Sebrina recieved her Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from the University of the District of Columbia.
Interested in joining the S.T.E.V.E. Board of Directors?
If you or someone you know may be interested in serving on the Board Of Directors of S triving T o E nd V agrancy E verywhere (the S.T.E.V.E. organization), please contact us at info_steve-now.org and ask for an application.
Gift Of Deliverance
G.O.D.
Member Congregation Group
Local Congregations are being
contacted NOW
Who Will Be The First To Join?
God brings blessings to you so that He can bring blessings through you.
Steve Speaks!
Known throughout the Washington Metropolitan Area as "Better Believe Steve", our Founder/Executive Director has overcome great obstacles in his personal life.
From eighteen months of living on the streets, Steve has risen to become a powerful advocate for the homeless, educating society through his public speaking and fighting for the rights of those who remain homeless through his advocacy in and around the District of Columbia.
Steve, WOW!! Dynamic, polished, articulate, and kept the students completely captivated.
~ Mitchell Kurtz, Teacher
Steve, you made quite an impression on the students and staff. They all seem to agree that your presentation was awfully powerful and that you made them see the consequences of addiction and the importance of decision-making in life, and that we're all just one mistake from homelessness. May Christ continue to guide you.
~Cathryn Brubaker, PhD, College of the Holy Cross
Steve captured the teens with his candor and honesty. He "met them where they were," and spoke to them in language they could understand. They LOVED him. Steve was amazing. He clearly has a gift. God is using him.
~ Kelly Lynch, President, Mychal's Message
Bring Steve to your school, church or other community group! To find out how, contact Steve at: info_Steve-Now.org .
Thanks for coming to speak to our kids. It was an eye-opening and consciousness-raising experience. I have heard from many parents that your presentation had an educational and empathetic impact on our campus. Thanks for your candor.
~ Neil Hirsch, Rabbi, Temple Rodef Shalom
On behalf of the Montgomery College Upward Bound Program we would like to thank you for your presentation. Hearing you speak gave the students a tangible reference of the adverse affects of drugs/alcohol and family challenges that lead many individuals to poor choices. The presentation brought laughter, tears, and knowledge to the Upward Bound Family.
~ Luis Quinones & The Montgomery College Upward Bound Staff
Before the presentation, I'd never thought about the consequences of the choices I make. Steve is a great speaker and I think that I'm going to have to do a complete turnaround. Steve's presentation was really, really, really eye-opening.
~ 11th grade student, Richard Montgomery High School
A Night of Elegance Gala
In the fall of 2010 the S.T.E.V.E. organization hosted its first fundraiser. A good time was had by all.
Speaking To Homelessness
On November 18th, 2011 the S.T.E.V.E. organization, in collaboration with the Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars hosted a dinner dialogue with college interns and the homeless community coming together to discuss the issues of homelessness.
View Entire Event
Another Night of Elegance
Coming Spring of 2012!
What can young people do to help S.T.E.V.E.?
- Talk to your friends and family about S.T.E.V.E.
- Organize a fundraiser in your community
- Start a food/clothing donation drive
- Volunteer your time and talents with S.T.E.V.E.
- Ask about how to become a member of S.T.E.V.E.
What can adults and organizations do to help S.T.E.V.E.?
- Make a tax deductible donation to S.T.E.V.E.
- Offer to sponsor one of S.T.E.V.E.'s many programs
- Find out how to volunteer with S.T.E.V.E.
- Bring S.T.E.V.E. to educate your group/organization
- Sponser a homeless person through S.T.E.V.E.
- Help S.T.E.V.E. purchase a "Dome Home"
- Encourage your Pastors to join our member congregation group.
Proposal Development
Grant Writing
Program Development
Fundraising
Donate Online - Donating on line is a secure and convenient way to support the S.T.E.V.E. organization as we fight ot end homelessness.
Make a general donation to the S.T.E.V.E. organization
Donate for Acquisition of Property/Shelter
Donate to S.T.E.V.E. programs
Striving To End Vagrancy Everywhere (the S.T.E.V.E. organization) is a 501(c)3 organization. All donations are tax deductible.
Donate Offline - Donating offline is also an option. Please send any checks to :
S.T.E.V.E.
1834 T Place SE
Washington, DC 20020
If you would like your contribution to go specifically toward the acquisition of Property/Shelter or to help a S.T.E.V.E. program, make sure to write this designation in the 'memo' area, and make your check payable to S.T.E.V.E.
Leaving a Lasting Legacy: You can leave a lasting legacy of love and hospitality by including the S.T.E.V.E. organization in your will. If you are interested in doing so, please contact or have your attorney or financial advisor contact our Executive Director at 202-422-7729 or email to info_Steve-Now.org .
Contact S.T.E.V.E.
The S.T.E.V.E. organization
1834 T Place S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20020
Telephone - (202) 422-7729
Email - info_Steve-Now.org
