A Stepping Stone Foundation

A Stepping Stone Foundation provides transformative early literacy opportunities by combining high-quality preschool education with comprehensive family engagement and adult education, empowering Arizona families to succeed across generations.

We envision a community where every child has the educational foundation and family support necessary to thrive academically, emotionally, and socially.

Early literacy is critical. Yet, many Arizona children enter kindergarten unprepared. At A Stepping Stone Foundation, we bridge this gap through our innovative two-generation approach—the LEAF program—combining preschool education, parent literacy training (ESL/GED), and ongoing family engagement. Your support ensures families build brighter futures together and positions us as national leaders in two-generation educational strategies.

Program Highlights:

• Teachers visit families in their homes monthly to reinforce learning, practice educational strategies, and discuss progress or concerns.

• Free childcare is provided for younger siblings while parents participate in mandatory adult education classes, parenting workshops, inter-generational activities, and volunteering in preschool classrooms.

Impact Metrics:

• Families Served Annually (LEAF Program): 40 (~100 individuals)

• Scholarship Recipients Annually: 35

• Alumni Engaged: 50

• Integrated Education Provided: Over 1,500 hours per family annually

• Retention Rate: 94% program completion

All LEAF components are free of charge! As of AZ Gives 2023, A Stepping Stone Foundation has served more than 1,840 unique families through our LEAF program.

Other Stepping Stone Foundation programs include:

Our Stepping Into College program includes: The Billie Gannaway Scholarships, the Ivey Stepping Higher Scholarships, the APS STEM Scholarships, and the William O. Smith Memorial Scholarship. We have awarded over 160 unique students scholarships totaling more than $400,000 since 2001. 

In addition to scholarships, high school students and their families reach out to us for tools and resources helping them access financial aid and offering tips on how to be successful in their college experience.

Finally, A Stepping Stone Foundation invites you to partner with us through meaningful volunteer opportunities that directly impact the lives of children and families in our community. Your time, expertise, and generosity help build strong educational foundations for families in need.

Testimonials

Vanessa's Story:
The only way children and their families are admitted to A Stepping Stone Foundation programs is if they demonstrate a clear need for literacy services. When Vanessa began preschool at a Stepping Stone Classroom in 1990, she was the only Asian preschooler in her class. She spoke no English and was at high risk of never completing high school.

She and her mom went to school 4 days a week during the regular school year to practice reading and English. While she was in a high-quality preschool setting with other 4-year-olds, her mom was taking Parenting, English, and reading classes. Once a month, her classroom teacher visited Vanessa's home to show her mom how to be her first best teacher. As the year progressed, Vanessa began understanding and then speaking English. She began kindergarten ready to succeed because she not only spoke English, but knew her sounds and letters as well. And her mom was ready to support her school efforts as well, having completed her English and parenting studies.

19 years later, Vanessa graduated from high school and earned a full-ride scholarship to ASU. Because she was a former Stepping Stone preschooler, she qualified for the Billie Gannaway Memorial Scholarship with our Foundation, and we paid her books and expenses as well. She graduated from ASU with honors-- and then graduated from UA Medical School and is practicing medicine in the Phoenix area. Congratulations, Dr. Tang! She volunteers for our fundraising events and is a great addition to the Arizona community.