Christmas Spirit, cookies done Stepping Stones’ style

HOULTON, Maine — As the end of the year approaches, Stepping Stones Centers celebrated the holidays by counting its blessings and giving back to the community and agencies that support them. The Stepping Stones Centers are dynamic and cutting-edge intensive Infant Mental Health residential treatment programs located around the state.
“Through our treatment focused program, children who may be at risk of or have been removed from the custody of their biological family participate in services to address identified individual issues related to their care and family of origin, in turn, assisting children in achieving reciprocity and trust in relationships through structure and consistency,” said Susan York, child youth care professional, of Stepping Stones.
At the Houlton Stepping Stones Center, Dec. 18th marked the fourth annual Christmas Cookie delivery day, for Stepping Stones clients. At their group, Dress for Success, the parents made a list and checked it twice to think of the various agencies that support them throughout the community This list included public servants, schools, agencies that clients use, doctor’s offices, but it is generate by the clients. The parents then commit to making at least six dozen of two kinds of cookies to put on the 42 plates that will be delivered fresh to those who make the list this year.
“It is hard to make a lot of cookies and not eat any,” said Melissa Pelkey, “but it’s worth it to give back to those who support us all year.”
Stepping Stones Center staff for the second year chose to make Winter Warmth baskets to give to a couple of needy families identified by a local Baptist church. Another staff member took up a collection to help out a family that she heard about through a friend.
“It means more to me to be able to make a Christmas for a local family then to get presents from co-workers,” said long-term employee, Andrea Nickerson.
A lot of staff agreed and donated generously to both the winter warmth baskets and the collection the needy family. Toni Eastham, who has worked at the Houlton Stepping Stones Center for 9 years, said  “We’ve always stressed that Christmas is about giving not getting, and this is a great way to model that for our clients. Besides it makes you feel good to be able to know you can help in some way.”
“Not everyone is a lucky as I am,” said Sirena Campbell. “I get to be with my daughter this Christmas. That is a pretty special gift that Stepping Stones gives me, so I’m glad to do my part to give back to those who support this wonderful program.”