Step Up Parents Receives Major Grant Award

Step Up Parents (SUP) recently received a $5,000 grant from the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction.  

“We feel really fortunate to receive this grant,” said SUP Founder and Board President Denyse Richter. “As a 100% privately funded organization, grants like these make our work possible. We want to be able to help as many families as we can.” 

Richter said she was inspired to found SUP in 2019 after witnessing the challenges close friends faced as they “stepped up” to raise their granddaughter while their adult daughter struggled with substance use disorder. In taking in their granddaughter, they became kinship caregivers—relatives or family friends who have stepped up to “care for, nurture, and protect” children who find themselves without a responsible parent or a safe place to live.  

 “Like most families in their situation, they weren’t expecting to raise a grandchild,” Richter explained. “The most immediate need is usually financial, and because many families don’t meet the requirements for traditional funding, we help fill that gap.” 

According to Richter, the grant from Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction will support programming and outreach in the Greater Lakes Region. “We’re always working to build up our network of community partnerships and get the word out about our work,” she added.  

About Step Up Parents 

Founded in 2019, Step Up Parents offers financial assistance and support to grandparents and other relative caregivers in New Hampshire and Southern Maine who have stepped up to raise the children of parents struggling with substance use disorder. To learn more, visit stepupparents.org.