Next Step Ministries
With funding provided by the Kernersville Foundation, Next Step Ministries was able to launch its New and Expectant Mothers Initiative, which allows financial, educational, and preventative support to mothers and their children in the Kernersville/Forsyth County area. Services provided by these funds include:
- Financial Education
- Labor and Delivery Support Bags
- Nursery Furniture and Support Items
- Safety Planning
- Mobile Advocacy
37 individuals received direct nursery and support items such as cribs, car seats, Pack ’n Plays, breast pumps, bottles, nursery furniture, clothing, strollers, and other essential care supplies. These resources helped alleviate the financial burden of new motherhood while strengthening both preventative and responsive support for those vulnerable to domestic violence. In addition to material assistance, participants received financial education materials, safety planning support, and mobile advocacy services.
Ann (not her real name), a resident of Kernersville, is a mother of five and a survivor of severe domestic violence. After enduring significant physical abuse, she made the brave decision to leave and begin again. With determination, she secured a new apartment and started rebuilding a safe life for her children.
Through the New and Expectant Mothers Initiative, we supported her during this transition by providing diapers, wipes, hygiene products, and all necessary nursery furniture. These essentials helped transform her new apartment into a stable, welcoming home and reminded her that she and her children were not alone as they stepped into a new beginning.
To further address the needs surrounding domestic violence in Kernersville, 30 care bags were created for patients in the Labor and Delivery Unit at Novant Health Kernersville Medical Center for new mothers. Each bag included educational materials, notebooks, clothing, snacks, and self-care items. These bags not only provided practical support during a vulnerable time but also raised awareness of Next Step Ministries’ services and resources.
Kernersville Foundation funds also supported the salaries of two key positions: the Victim Advocate and the House Coordinator. Our Victim Advocate met individuals at predetermined locations throughout the community. These included Kernersville Town Hall, Kernersville Police Department, Forsyth County Courthouse, and Bridges to Hope Family Justice Center, and allowed services to be delivered beyond the constraints of our office for the first time, thanks to funding from the Kernersville Foundation. In total, our Victim Advocates served 362 individuals in 2025.
Our House Coordinator facilitated children’s programming within the Safe House, including gardening, weekly toy chests, craft projects, and outdoor games. These activities have been instrumental in helping children heal and feel more at ease as they transition from abusive environments into safety. 13 families participated in the Small Steps Program facilitated in the Safe House. By intentionally supporting both mothers and their children, we have implemented a comprehensive, two-pronged approach to serving families impacted by domestic violence in our community.