Davis Street and Stepping Stones Growth Center Join Forces

On May 31, 2016, the Davis Street Community Center, Inc. and Stepping Stones Growth Center, both longtime San Leandro nonprofit service providers, officially merged.

After nearly two years of negotiations, the joining of Stepping Stones and Davis Street Community Center is complete. The joining will allow both organizations to provide a broader range of services to clients and their families. “We’re excited to join Davis Street and give our consumers access to all the resources Davis Street provides.” Jan Behr, Managing Director of Stepping Stones.

When Stepping Stones Interim Executive Director Marcia Hodges announced her retirement in 2015, the organization began to develop a plan to ensure its long term sustainability. “I wanted to make sure Stepping Stones would be around for another 40 years, and after meeting with Rose Padilla Johnson of Davis Street it became clear they were the right partner to continue our legacy” said Interim Executive Director Marcia Hodges.

The joining of Davis Street and Stepping Stones Growth Center reflects the collaborative spirit of Davis Street and its commitment to serving the community. The addition of Stepping Stones Growth Center to services already available from Davis Street makes it one of the most comprehensive providers of safety net services in the state. Offering a Primary Care Clinic providing medical, dental and behavioral health services; 5 childcare centers; food pantry; clothing program; utility and housing assistance; holiday programs and now programs and services for people living with developmental disabilities.

“I’m proud to welcome this incredibly needed provider, Stepping Stones Growth Center into our array of programs. Like Davis Street, Stepping Stones has deep roots in San Leandro and together we will continue to grow.” Stated Rose Padilla Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of Davis Street.

As a wholly owned subsidiary of Davis Street, Stepping Stones Growth Center will remain at its current location on MacArthur Boulevard and maintain its own 501(c) (3) status. Consumers and their families, local stakeholders, board members, and staff from both Davis Street and Stepping Stones are excited for this merger and consider this a great opportunity for the two agencies.

About Stepping Stones Growth Center

Stepping Stones Growth Center is a not for profit social services agency founded in 1975 by concerned parents of children with special needs. They provide a continuum of programs and services to more than 400 adults and children with a developmental disability. Funded by the Regional Center of the East Bay, the Department of Rehabilitation, private donations, and grants from a number of foundations and corporations.

About Davis Street

Serving more than 15,000 individuals annually, Davis Street has helps low income families of the Eden area and surrounding communities improve their quality of life through short and long-term assistance. Today, Davis Street offers a comprehensive safety net that helps clients navigate their journey to financial, physical, and mental well-being. Davis Street programs include a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) Primary Care Clinic providing medical, dental and behavioral health services; food and clothing; subsidized child care; housing and utility assistance and referrals; and five childcare centers.

You are invited to celebrate this historic event at a celebration later this summer.

Photo left to right: Matthew Millspaugh, Stepping Stones Board of Directors; Gordon Galvan, President Davis Street Board of Directors; Rose Padilla Johnson, Chief Executive Officer Davis Street announce the joining of Stepping Stones and Davis Street at Annual Gala.

Davis Street

3081 Teagarden Street

San Leandro, CA 94577

Contact:

Daniel Johnson, Operations Director

(510) 347-4620 x104

djohnson@davisstreet.org