One Step Further News
Just Announced!
(keep scrolling to look at previous announcements)
***May 1, 2024 Contact: Robbie Perkins
For Immediate Release Rperkins@naipt.com
(336) 337-0059
Yvonne Johnson to retire from One Step Further in June
Board has appointed Andrena Coleman to lead the non-profit
Yvonne Johnson, the former Greensboro Mayor who has led One Step Further Inc. since its founding in 1982, has announced she will step down as the non-profit’s executive director in June.
Andrena Coleman, who has extensive experience in program and nonprofit management, will take over as executive director when Johnson retires, according to Robbie Perkins, chairman of the One Step Further Board of Directors.
Johnson said that she will continue to provide support to the organization as One Step Further transitions to a new executive director. Coleman will work alongside Johnson at One Step between now and June 30th to ensure a seamless transition.
“The work that One Step does is important to so many lives,” Johnson said. “I will do everything in my power to ensure that it continues to succeed. Although I’m taking a little rest, I am always nearby to assist the agency in any way I can.”
Over the course of 40 years Yvonne Johnson has built One Step Further Inc. from its origins as a start-up non-profit offering a single program into a $2 million a year institution whose nine programs serve thousands of community residents with services ranging from juvenile intervention to conflict mediation to food security.
“I am proud of the work that we have done,” said Johnson, who is 80. “But there comes a time when you know you must pass the torch.”
Coleman has worked in a volunteer capacity with One Step Further over the past 12 years, including 2 terms as Board Chairman. More recently she has been engaged to guide the transition to new leadership.
“We are delighted that Andrena Coleman has agreed to serve as our incoming executive director,” said Board Chairman Perkins. “One Step is a unique organization. Andrena has seen it develop and is uniquely qualified to lead it.
“There is no way to replace Yvonne Johnson,” Perkins said. “She is a one-of-a-kind leader who has built this organization from scratch. But Andrena has the institutional knowledge and managerial skill set to move this organization forward from day one.”
Perkins praised Johnson’s ability to identify needs in the community, develop effective programs to address those needs and then to raise the funds needed to start those programs and to sustain them over time.
“Yvonne Johnson, had this vision in 1982 that we could address certain social issues in a more productive way. Now, 40 years later, tens of thousands of people have been helped by this organization to lead better lives,” Perkins said last October as One Step Further celebrated its 40-year anniversary.
The 40th anniversary program in October included testimonials from former clients and agency partners, including police, attorneys, Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan and Guilford County Commissioner Chair Skip Alston, who all testified to the value of One Step Further and praised the work that it does.
“I am so grateful for the support of our wonderful staff, our board members and community leaders over the years,” Johnson said. “I hope they will continue that support. One Step Further’s continued success depends on all of us “
***December 2023:
One Step Further, Inc. received a grant from the Golden LEAF Foundation in the amount of $211,250 for the Community Support & Nutrition Program. This funding opportunity came through a Federal program to increase the capacity of food programs across the state of NC. We are excited and proud to have been awarded this "once in a lifetime" funding, and thank the Golden LEAF Board of Directors, staff, and Leads in this almost two year process. The CSNP will be expanding their current Merritt Dr. location, purchasing needed equipment, and upgrading technology to increase the amount and types of food available, and to meet the demands of an ever changing community. Stay tuned for updates as the project moves forward.
***October 2023:
One Step Further, Inc. will be celebrating our 40th Anniversary! We are proud and excited to have been a part of Guilford County and the Triad since our agency was formed in 1982. We couldn't have achieved this monumental anniversary without our staff, volunteers, and supporters. We are beyond grateful, and look forward to celebrating 75...100 years! Thank you to all who have been a part of our story through the years!
***September 2023:
It's Hunger Action Month, and the CSNP is hosting multiple events across Guilford County throughout the month. Check out our events page for upcoming events. We would also like to send a great big shout out to Syngenta for hosting a canned food drive this month during their United Way Greater Greensboro Campaign month to benefit the CSNP! Thank you to all the associates at Syngenta for going the extra mile!!!
***July 2023:
One Step Further is proud to annouce that it's Family Factor Program has been awarded a two-year $100,000 Governor's Crime Commission Grant! It's a wonderful honor and opportunity for Family Factor. The FF staff will begin working on upcoming enhancements and collaborations that will begin in early 2024. Winzell Collins, FF Program Director, is excited for this opportunity to reach a larger population and increase the impact the program has already had in our community.
***October 2021:
The CSNP will hold a Grand Opening Ceremony of the CSNP Market on Merritt on 10/21/21. This project has been 7 years in the making and is soon coming to fruition. We couldn't have done this without our partnerships with Second Harvest Food Bank, Food Lion, Definition Church, and the Weaver Foundation. Thank you to everyone who had a hand in this. Opening the first grocery store style Market in the Triad has been a big undertaking, but the result is amazing! We are grateful to the staff and volunteers who have put in countless hours and back-breaking work to make this happen. Thank you!
***May 2021:
One Step Further is proud to announce a new partnership with Definition Church, who will become a host site for our CSNP. The CSNP will begin distributions on a drive-thru basis while the building is being upfitted for the program. We would like to thank Josh Cassell and Aaron Vinson for their unwavering passion and electrical prowess for this project!
***March 2021 Update: The One Step Further Corporate Office is open for regular program hours.
***October 2020 Update: The CSNP has purchased and received two sections of rollers that we are using to unload trucks, and for grocery distribution. Our volunteers are extremely grateful for this wonderful addition!
***October 2020 Update: The CSNP has purchase a 26' Freightliner refrigerated box truck, lovingly known as "Big Red". Thank you Eddie for your "advise" during the purchase process.
***October 2020 Update: The CSNP has hired a Senior Nutrition Services Coordinator to work with our seniors and is off and running to begin deliveries in the next several weeks.
***October 2020:
The Greater High Point Food Alliance awarded the One Step Further Community Support & Nutrition Program a $1600+ grant to purchase expandable conveyors as part of their capacity building work with area agencies. We would like to thank Carl Vierling and the Board of Directors for this wonderful opportunity.
***September 2020 Update: The CSNP has acquired a new software system that will allow our patrons to order groceries on-line and/or on-site. Thank you Keri Edwards for all of your guidance and help with our new SmartChoice purchase!
***September 2020 Update: The CSNP has been able to purchase additional produce from Foster Caviness to distribute to our patrons. Thank you Chris at FC for your help and patience throughout this trying time for all of us!
***September 2020:
The Piedmont Triad Regional Council - Area Agency on Aging (PTRC-AAA) announced that the One Step Further Community Support & Nutrition Program has been awarded a grant to serve Seniors in under-resourced areas of Guilford County, including refugee and immigrant populations, in the amount of $92,000+. These funds will allow the CSNP to add a part time employee, and deliver customized healthy groceries to 150 residents twice a month. We are extremely grateful for this opportunity and look forward to expanding our delivery services across Guilford County.
***August 2020 Update: The CSNP has hired a Distribution Coordinator to help guide us through the increase in services we have seen due to the pandemic.
***July 2020 Update: The CSNP has purchased tents and coolers to operate our outdoor drive thru distributions. They have provided much needed shade and cold storage for food items! We have also been able to purchase much needed personal protective gear for our staff and volunteers.
***June 2020:
One Step Further would like to send a heartfelt thank you to the Greater High Point Food Alliance for awarding the Community Support & Nutrition Program $750 to assist with operations during these most uncertain times. We are proud to be a partner with GHPFA.
***May 2020:
One Step Further is proud to announce that the Community Support & Nutrition Program has received a $47,500 grant from Guilford County (CARES ACT funding). These funds will allow the CSNP to hire a part-time employee, acquire an innovative real-time inventory software system, and purchase a refrigerated box truck for donations. We are overwhelmed by the support shown to our program.
***May 2020:
One Step Further would like to give a huge thank you to United Way of Greater High Point for awarding our Community Support & Nutrition Program a $6600 COVID Relief Grant to purchase needed materials to make sure our program, staff, volunteers, and participants remain safe during the pandemic. We would also like to congratulate all recipients of these funding grants.
***April 2020:
One Step Further is deeply grateful to United Way of Greater Greensboro for awarding our Community Support & Nutrition Program an $11,000 Virus Relief Grant. Thank you to everyone who has helped to make this possible, and we thank you for your support of all the Agencies that have received a Virus Relief Grant as we all strive to serve this community and the residents of Guilford County.
***April 2020:
One Step Further would like to send a sincere thank you to the Weaver Foundation for awarding a $7500 grant to our Community Support & Nutrition Program for COVID-19 relief so that our grocery assistance programs can continue to provide services to the community that has been deeply impacted during these unsettling times!
***March 2020 Update: The One Step Further Corporate Office is closed. All OSF program classes will begin to transition to online/remote learning as soon as possible. The GCC program is operating as normal and will begin assisting the CSNP with meal distributions along MLK and Florida St.
***March 2020:
The Community Support & Nutrition Program will begin operating both Greensboro and High Point grocery assistance distribution sites on a drive-thru system. For information, please call 336-554-2000. The One Step Further corporate office will remain open for normal hours at this point. Please check our main page for further updates.
***January 2020:
One Step Further is proud to announce a new program: Gate City Coalition. This program is designed to curb violence in a specific target area of the city, and utilizes the Cure Violence National Model. GCC's initial area will be the Smith Homes/MLK corridor. The new Program Director, Ingram Bell, has worked closely with the OSF Executive Director and Board President to hire a staff with unique abilities and diverse backgrounds. OSF would like to thank the City of Greensboro for providing initial funding for GCC, and for acknowledging that violent crimes are a community health issue. We look forward to the impact the program will have throughout Greater Greensboro.
***December 2019 Update: The CSNP has purchased 2 new commercial double glass door refrigerators and two commercial double glass door freezers from All State Restaurant Supply in Greensboro. We would like to thank Carlton for his assistance and guidance during this process.
***December 2019:
The Weaver Foundation announced today that they have approved and awarded the Community Support & Nutrition Program with a grant to build capacity by purchasing new commercial freezers and refrigerators in the amount of $10,000! We would like to say thank you to Kevin Gray, Emily McCollum, and the Board of Directors for this tremendous gift!
***October 2019 Update: The luncheon was a great success! Congratulations to all the winners, and to our own Melvie Solomon for receiving the Governor's Lifetime Achievement Service Award!
***October 2019:
The Volunteer Center has just announced that the Community Support & Nutrition Program is the 2019 Non-Profit Volunteer Program of the Year!!!!! The program and it's volunteers will be recognized at the Volunteer Recognition Luncheon on Wednesday, October 30th. We are so very proud of the CSNP and their volunteers!