Car Wash to Benefit Stepping Stones Growth Center

A car wash will be held Wednesday, Aug. 8 between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. at 311 MacArthur Blvd. in San Leandro to benefit the non-profit First Steps of Stepping Stones Growth Center.

Not only will you get a car wash for your $10 donation, but you will also receive a hot dog meal with potato chips and a bottle of water.

Stepping Stones Growth Center is a social services agency formed in 1975 by parents of special needs children.

According to its website, "What first began as an after school program to provide reinforcement and enhancement of social, vocational and living skills has evolved into an agency that provides a continuum of programs and services to more than 400 adults and children with a developmental disability. Stepping Stones is funded by the Regional Center of the East Bay, the Department of Rehabilitation, by donations from our many, many generous supporters, and from grants and donations from a number of foundations and corporations.

Over the years SSGC has joined with corporations and agencies, such as Safeway, Albertson's, Costco, Wal-Mart, CVS, Home Depot and many others to provide both group placement and individual jobs for hundreds of consumers. We also offer Independent Living skills, "Hire" Steps, a pre-vocational day activity program, and travel training.

At our headquarters in San Leandro we operate our children’s program, two art programs for adults, and two health and wellness programs for adults. Our site-based programs are licensed by Community Care Licensing and our vocational programs are accredited by CARF, with one of our programs operating under a special certificate from the state and federal Departments of Labor.

In addition to providing the programs and services referred to above, Stepping Stones has created a unique community its clientele, staff and supporters refer to as the “Stepping Stones family,” and this family celebrates its togetherness in a series of annual events. Specifically, we offer participation in the following on a yearly basis: periodic dances; outing to an A’s game, with tailgate party; free Fall pancake breakfast; agency wide picnic; free Thanksgiving dinner; Stepping Stones Idol; trips to such places as Great America and Six Flags organized by a consumer empowered group called The Client Connection; and Families, Friends and Fun Nites, which are occasions when we offer a wide variety of table games.

Over the years Stepping Stones has received a number of awards and commendations and citations of merit from the likes of U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer, U.S. Representative Barbara Lee, San Leandro Mayor Sheila Young, State Senators Liz Figueroa, Don Perata, and Loni Hancock, and former Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown."

For more information about Stepping Stones, call 510-568-3331.