About

Step Up, Savannah’s Poverty Reduction Initiative, is directed by a Leadership Board chaired by the Mayor of the City of Savannah and includes the Chairman of the Chatham County Commission.

The staff of Step Up includes the director, a communications/office manager and a part-time administrative assistant. Staff members serve a coordinating role and rely on the participation of the collaborating agencies and volunteers, acting largely through
action teams.

Step Up action teams focus on workforce development, asset building, affordable housing, transportation, health care, education and dependent care.

In 2006 and 2007, Step Up worked with 25 families to learn about their needs and to help them move toward economic self-sufficiency. The intent of this program was to learn from residents living in poverty and develop policy recommendations based on their needs, and the barriers they faced.

The National Association of Counties recognized the partnership of Chatham County, the Homebuilder’s Association of Greater Savannah, Savannah Technical College and Step Up with a 2007 Achievement Award for the Construction Apprentice Program. And in October, 2007, Step Up earned a Coastal, Business, Education and Technology Alliance Award for “Outstanding Use of Technology in Government,” recognizing the initiative for improving delivery of “civic services within the coastal community.” (See ”news and events” for the full story.) 

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