SUZANNE COURT '86 Making a Difference in Her Community Donor On entering the STEP Youth
while building their trust. “Some
bullying, to providing counselling
Resource Centre, the atmosphere is
of these kids were the same age
and referrals for schooling, dealing
immediately warm, welcoming and
as my boys. When I saw so many
with trauma, depression, addictions,
unpretentious. Founded by Suzanne
just hanging out all day, in such a
and 2SLGBTQ+ issues. In partnership
Court '86, and supported through
negative, harmful environment, I kept
with St. George’s Anglican Church
her charity, the RRPC Innovation
wondering what brought them here;
in St. Catharines, Suzanne secured a
Foundation, STEP provides critical
learning that for many their pain was
large lower-level space at the church
support services for youth in the
just too large for them to manage
and immediately started renovations.
Niagara Region. Suzanne, a mother
alone. Listening to their stories,
In September 2019, STEP opened
of two who has grown up in the
many of which were heartbreaking, I
its doors with cozy seating areas,
Niagara area, was deeply affected by
realized that they needed somewhere
private spaces for the professional
the increasing number of homeless
safe to go, somewhere that would
counselling staff, a large open space
and at-risk youth who spent their
accept them as they wished and
for group gatherings with coffee and
days aimlessly drifting around the
guide them to take positive steps
snacks always available, a clothing
downtown core of St. Catharines.
forward.”
corner with jackets, sweaters, socks,
Determined to find a way to provide support for those young people who would welcome change, Suzanne spent hours listening to their stories, their challenges and their dreams
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flourishing
After researching what was available, Suzanne set out to create STEP — a centre to help young people ages 16
boots and more, and another area with art supplies and computers for client use.
to 24 with all manner of issues from
Speaking with the social workers at
basic life skills, bullying and cyber
the centre, their focus is on creating