Multicultural Family Center’s Beloved STEP Program on Hold for Summer 2025 Due to Loss of AmeriCorps Support

The Board of Directors of the Multicultural Family Center has released the following statement regarding the Summer Teen Empowerment Program:

The Multicultural Family Center (MFC) Board of Directors announces with heavy hearts that the Summer Teen Empowerment Program (STEP) will be paused for Summer 2025 due to the loss of vital AmeriCorps support in Dubuque.

For over a dozen years, STEP has been a source of pride, impact, and inspiration in our community. Created by Dana Livingston, then a professor at Loras College, STEP began with a curriculum grounded in outdoor exploration and personal growth. Over time, and with the support of the Dubuque Community School District, the program evolved to offer high school elective credit and focused on empowering students with real-world experiences—from gardening to financial literacy, from opening bank accounts to college planning.

The six-week summer program has provided so much more than skill development. It has offered safety, purpose, and opportunity. STEP helped reduce learning loss during the summer months, eased food insecurity with daily meals, and provided stipends that honored the value of each student’s time and commitment. The relationships built between students and AmeriCorps mentors were key to this success. AmeriCorps members offered academic support, facilitated activities, and ensured every teen felt seen, supported, and celebrated.

Unfortunately, with the recent cut to AmeriCorps funding in Dubuque, the MFC is unable to offer STEP this summer. This decision was not made lightly. The Board and staff of the Multicultural Family Center are deeply saddened by this temporary pause and are committed to exploring all options to revive the program in future summers.

We remain hopeful that funding for AmeriCorps will be restored so that STEP—and the countless young lives it has empowered—can return stronger than ever. The Multicultural Family Center remains dedicated to serving our youth and community through innovative, inclusive programming and looks forward to new opportunities on the horizon.

For questions or to learn how to support the Multicultural Family Center, please contact:

The Multicultural Family Center
1157 Central Ave
Dubuque, IA 52001
Phone: (563) 582-3681

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Media Contact:
LaMetra Murdock, Multicultural Family Center Director
lmurdock@cityofdubuque.org, 563.690.6041