Take the Next Step in Monroe invites the community to attend their holiday benefit concert featuring guitarist Trace Bundy, which will be held at the Wagner Performing Arts Center in downtown Monroe at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 23.
Bundy, also known as the "Acoustic Ninja,GÇ¥ is an accomplished musician who is known for his intricate guitar arrangements.
Tickets are $15 in advance, and can be purchased online.
Take the Next Step is a grassroots, faith-based, nonprofit organization located in Monroe. TTNS strives to ensure that all low-income and homeless Sky Valley residents have access to supportive services and any additional guidance that they need. Immediate needs can be met including blankets, food and warm clothing.
Take the Next Step services include a community drop-in center, an afterschool program called Kidz Club, community dinners, life skills classes, services for teen moms and more. They also operate Monroe's cold weather shelter.
Donations are always needed at Take the Next Step.
"Our biggest need right now is funding. We currently have a generous donor that is matching all donations in December up to $20,000,GÇ¥ said Take the Next Step Community Relations Administrator Hannah Lunstrum. "In other words, if we are able to raise $20,000 in December it will be doubled to $40,000! This will greatly help fund the drop-in center and all of the programs we run. That's why the concert is so important; it is raising money that will be doubled!GÇ¥
"If we people cannot donate funds we can always use sleeping bags, tents, warm coats and gloves and non-perishable foods,GÇ¥ she continued.
Throughout 2014, TTNS has had over 6,000 visits at their drop-in center, and they've served over 10,000 meals through their lunch and dinner program. They currently have 70 students enrolled in their Kidz Club program, which serves students from kindergarten through 5th grade.
Monroe resident Quinn Jay currently volunteers for TTNS in the Kidz Club and with the cold weather shelter. Jay's passion for the organization comes from the fact that she herself was once a client. After going through a difficult divorce and seemingly landing on her feet, Jay was struck by hard times, eventually becoming homeless.
Since then, she has managed to overcome a debilitating depression, complete her education and obtain employment as a home-care aide. Today, she lives in a house that she loves with her roommates.
"I still struggle because I don't make very much money right now, but we have a roof over our heads, we're happy and we're healthy GÇô which is a long way from where we were two years ago,GÇ¥ said Jay. "I couldn't have gotten as far as I did without Take the Next Step, and now I am so happy to be volunteering my time with them.GÇ¥
Jay explained that TTNS has an extensive curriculum of free life skills classes including budgeting, how to perform an effective job search, resume writing, interview skills, finding your strengths, dealing with stress, how to obtain mental health counseling and much more. The life skills classes take place every Tuesday from 6:45 to 8:15 p.m., following the community dinners. Free childcare is available during the life skills classes.
Perhaps most importantly, TTNS offers a place for people to come together.
"Sometimes people come in not even knowing what they need or where to turn, and the staff will sit with them and offer an ear and will help in any way they can,GÇ¥ said Jay. "It is a warm, friendly place to go when you are feeling lost or alone.GÇ¥
Staff members will also help clients locate additional resources such as housing or medical needs. The drop-in center, which is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, offers hot coffee and usually has sack lunches available to those in need. There is also a computer center that clients can use to look for a job, work on a resume, check email or do homework.
"The thing I love about TTNS is that a lot of us start out as clients,GÇ¥ said Jay. "We get back on our feet through the help of TTNS and then many of us come back and volunteer as a way to thank TTNS for all they have done for us.GÇ¥
Jay has spoken at several Take the Next Step fundraising events, advocating for the positive change that she was able to implement in her own life as a result of the organization's support.
"I am forever grateful for it,GÇ¥ said Jay. "I will support Take the Next Step for as long as I am around and I hope to also inspire others.GÇ¥
Wagner Performing Arts Center is located at 639 W. Main St. in Monroe. Tickets can be purchased in advance here: http://tracebundymonroe.brownpapertickets.com/, and will also be available at the door. Proceeds from the show will go to support Take the Next Step in Monroe.
Contact Hannah Lunstrum at 360-794-1022 for additional information, or email her at: hlunstrum@hotmail.com. For more information on Take the Next Step, please visit their website at: http://www.ttns.org/.
The cold weather shelter is open on selected nights only. To confirm whether or not the shelter is open, call the hotline at: 360-453-7662.
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