SteppingStones

SteppingStones is a 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. Members come to improve skills, build friendships, receive support, link up with valuable community resources and explore life interests. 

The program is run by Program Coordinators Carol Davis and Barb Kresge, and Jenny Freeman, Program Assistant, in conjunction with student interns and volunteers.

SteppingStones is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and members choose from a variety of groups: 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.  Members choose to attend the program according to their needs, whether it is three days a week or one group a week. 

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, Family Studies and Therapeutic Recreation contribute to SteppingStones’ success.

Members provide interns with insight into living with brain injury and enhance the students' clinical, academic and professional skills. Similarly, interns assist members in improving independence, community integration and quality of life, while facilitating groups and developing professional relationships.

The Summer and Winter Enrichment Programs are devoted to the arts, music, culture, travel and sharing of life experiences by people in the local community. We host artists, musicians, performers, writers and others.  “Artists-in-Residence”, interns and community volunteers conduct groups that encourage members to express themselves creatively. Members are able to participate in art activities and access live performances that they might not be able to access or afford in their communities.

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.” The Community Campus is on the Coast Bus and Trolley route.

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.