Prevail Bank donates $7,500 to Stepping Stones

Prevail Bank gifted, through its Charitable Contributions program, $7,500 to Stepping Stones, Inc., to support its move and services expansion to a new location at 151 South 2nd Street Medford.

“We are proud to support Stepping Stones,” said Kori Miller, Prevail Bank Branch Manager of Medford. “We’re a community bank that is passionate about economic development, financial stability, and most especially the well-being of our community’s citizens and children.”

Stepping Stones is a nonprofit agency that has been serving Taylor County since 1978. It provides free, confidential services to all individuals and their loved ones affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, teen dating violence, bullying, intimate partner violence, stalking, and human trafficking, in addition to community education and coverage of the 24/7 crisis support phone line.

According to Shanna Kestler, Stepping Stones Co-Director, anyone can be affected by violence. The organization has provided support for families and individuals ranging from newborn to 75+ years old. In the past 4 years, 87% of survivors were female; 12% male, and 1% transgender. Five-percent (5%) were non-English speaking, 14% self-identified as a person with a disability, and 50% of the survivors needed help acquiring legal and/or medical assistance.

“We work with many vulnerable and under-served populations,” said Courtney Scholl, Co-Director. “Most people are shocked to learn about the prevalence and severity of domestic violence in our state.”

According to End Domestic Abuse’s annual Wisconsin Domestic Violence Homicide Report, in 2021, domestic violence homicides took place in 21 Wisconsin counties, with a rate of one (1) death every 4.5 days.

“Stepping Stones’ services can vastly improve a survivor’s quality of life and help restore their sense of safety,” continued Scholl. “Not only do our services change lives, but they truly save lives as well.”

“Prevail Bank’s donation could not have come at a better time,” said Kestler.

Stepping Stones is accepting donations from organizations and individuals to assist them in the procurement and renovation of their new facility. The new building and location will allow them to expand their programming, increase service efficiencies, improve safety and privacy of their clients, in addition to improving team communication, and community coordination and collaboration.

The Charitable Contributions program of Prevail Bank is available for local non-profits that help local people in need, especially those with low-to-moderate incomes; stimulate communities financially; and/or enhances the standard of living of those less fortunate. If an organization is interested in applying for funds for a major initiative, go to: Prevail.bank/ resources/community. Prevail Bank is continuously looking for ways to give back, help their customers pursue their dreams, and make things better in central Wisconsin.