SteppingStones

SteppingStones is an innovative, post-rehabilitation, community-based, day program for people living with brain injury from trauma, tumor or stroke. The program emphasizes health and wellness and empowering members toward occupation or meaning after injury. The focus is on who we are as people - spirit, mind and body. Members come to build friendships, receive support, link up with valuable community resources, and explore life interests. 

The program is created by members, for members, and is run by Program Coordinators Carol Davis and Barb Kresge, in conjunction with student interns and volunteers.

SteppingStones is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and members choose to attend groups from the following themes: creative, emotional, functional, physical, recreational, social, and vocational. Each day is structured with Early Bird groups at 9:30 a.m., Community Meeting at 10:15 a.m., morning groups at 11 a.m., lunch at noon and afternoon groups at 1 p.m.

Our program is based on a four-season cycle.  The Spring and Fall programs involve collaboration with UNH and other universities. The University of New Hampshire's Departments of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Graduate School in Counseling, Occupational Therapy, Social Work, Sociology, and Therapeutic Recreation have been with SteppingStones since its inception in 2000.

Members provide interns with insight into living with brain injury, introduce them to a unique community based program, and enhance the students' clinical, academic, and practical skills. Similarly, interns assist members in enhancing independence, community integration, and quality of life, while facilitating groups and developing individual professional relationships with members.

The Summer and Winter Enrichment Program are devoted to the arts, culture, travel, and holistic health practitioners. We host artists, musicians, performers, writers, and professionals in the healing arts. “Artists-in-Residence” and community volunteers conduct groups that encourage members to express themselves creatively. Members are able to participate in art activuties and attend live performances they might not be able to access or afford.

SteppingStones is located in Portsmouth, NH at the Foundation for Seacoast Health's Community Campus which houses nine other non-profit agencies in a beautiful, accessible, contemporary building. The other agencies share the common goal of promoting “health, growth and opportunity.” Coast Bus and Trolley services the Community Campus as part of its routes and members participate in functional skill outings using the public transportation service as an extension of SteppingStones into the community.

Meet some members or see a calendar .

Below are some important SteppingStones Documents for potential members
1. SteppingStones Membership Criteria PDF
2. SteppingStones Program Rules PDF
3. SteppingStones Application PDF

PDF - Click here for Adobe Reader.