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July 22 - UPDATE

On July 17, a devastating fire at the Helix apartment building left over 260 residents without a home in an instant. Neighbors are now facing the difficult reality of rebuilding after losing their homes, belongings, and, for many, their vehicles. In the days that followed, our community came together in extraordinary ways. Alongside community partners and volunteers, STEP helped coordinate the immediate response by providing emergency food, clothing, and personal hygiene items to neighbors experiencing an unimaginable crisis. STEP continues to also provide case management, rehousing assistance, and connections to long-term resources.

Thankfully, STEP has received an overwhelming response with community donations of food, household supplies, and clothing. We have sufficient donations of items for the current emergency. Our focus now is on providing residents with the financial assistance to find homes to rebuild a sense of safety and stability. STEP also knows that many impacted residents will continue to need help with food, clothes, and other services for weeks and months to come, after the fire has passed from the public’s memory.

Even before the Helix fire, STEP was experiencing unprecedented demand, serving 20% more individuals than this time last year. We expect that number to continue growing as families displaced by the fire rely on STEP's services in the weeks and months ahead. At the same time, thousands of other neighbors continue to turn to STEP because of rising grocery prices, housing instability, unexpected medical expenses, and financial hardships that make it difficult to afford life's necessities.

Every day, STEP provides food, housing stabilization, transportation assistance, social services, and other essential programs that help individuals and families move from crisis to stability. Your support makes this possible. Every gift helps ensure that when a neighbor reaches out for help—whether because of a community-wide disaster or an unexpected personal crisis—STEP can continue to answer, "Yes, we're here for you."