One Small Step keeps allowance sheets for all of their clients. They’re able to provide one load of laundry a week — now up to 360 loads a year — and five articles of clothing, plus underwear and accessories, for each man, woman and child every three months. The Clothes Cabin inventory is a combination of clean donations and items they’ve purchased. Funds are raised via an annual event called “No More Chilly Nights,” and from their Friends Resale Boutique, where they sell donated and gently used household and decor items. But designer purses are gratefully accepted. “If we can get $40 for a Coach purse, we can buy 160 pairs of socks!” Shoemaker said. Like a bougainvillea bush, the programs continue to blossom. Someone told them his cart and all of his belongings had been stolen, so they installed storage lockers for the homeless to secure valuables. They offer mailboxes so clients can receive benefits checks and other communications. When they saw clients using their bathrooms to clean up before putting on new clothing, they saw a need for showers, which they’re installing at their new, even larger location. One Small Step was named because their original mission was providing socks. In retrospect, it was a prophetic choice. The organization provides one small step toward helping a man or woman get a job by providing them proper clothing. It is one small step toward helping children find normalcy in their lives by providing closed-toed shoes for playing at recess. It’s just one small step from being shabby and unseen toward being treated with respect and dignity. After all, every journey begins with one small step. To learn more, go to onesmallstepaz.org . info@A2ndAct.org Judy Pearson CONTRIBUTING WRITER 48 FRONTDOORS MEDIA | JULY 2019 A 2ND ACT CONTINUED