
Jim Mulcahy has a brother who has been a member of STEP for nearly 30 years, so his family knows first-hand the value of the services the Dearborn-based nonprofit provides.
That’s why Mulcahy, a Northville resident, was at STEP’s eighth annual “STEPS to Success” fundraiser last week. The fashion show is the largest fundraiser of the year for STEP (Services to Enhance Potential), which provides support services for people with a wide array of disabilities in varied work and residential situations.
Mulcahy, who was among the 200 or so people that made up the event’s first sold-out crowd, appreciates what STEP does for people like his brother, Matthew.
“It’s mission is to help disabled folks to achieve their best life,” Mulcahy said “They have a lot of programs in place to help folks do that.”
The fashion show featured models from among STEP membership, employees and supporters from the community. The event also featured a photo booth, raffle and clothing sale.
Nabelah Ghareeb of Plymouth, who was taking advantage of the photo booth with her friend, Darlene Miller of Huron Township, said her reason for coming was simple.
“I’m a big supporter of this organization,” Ghareeb said. “What they do in the community is absolutely incredible.”
STEP also took the opportunity to hand out a few awards:
- Member Sam J., a member of the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network team and a STEP member, was named “Trailblazer of the Year.
- STEP member Shilpi P. was named Member of the Year.
- LaFontaine Auto Group was named “Partner of the Year.”
- PCE Systems won the STEP Supporter Award
Gretchen Still, STEP’s marketing manager, wouldn’t say what the fundraising goal was, but did acknowledge the show topped expectations.
She said money raised will support STEP’s programming, which she said is designed to “support members with disabilities” and provide employment opportunities, job training programs and, equally importantly, ways to “get involved and be active in the community.”
STEP currently has some 1,300 members in Wayne, Macomb and Washtenaw counties.
“They can learn culinary skills, they can be artists, they can work in our thrift stores and they can learn other employment skills that can help them in the future,” Still said. “I think more people are learning about STEP and are excited to support our mission, our members and what we do in the community.”
That kind of education is the point of the event, according to Dr. Sara Grivetti, STEP’s new CEO, who was hired in August and came on site in September.
“The aim is creating awareness about our programs and wanting to have people see that people with disabilities can get out and do things and be a part of the community,” said Grivetti, previously the CEO of the nonprofit Neuro Challenge Foundation in Sarasota, Fla., which serves people with Parkinson’s and their care givers. “We want to change perceptions about people with disabilities.”


