Our mission is to provide skills and opportunities that impact the lives of Illinois’ community members.

Pastor Gregory Washington

OUR FOUNDER

Pastor Gregory Washington is the visionary leader behind United Fellowship Ministries in Peoria, IL, and serves as the Executive Director of Step Up.

With 15 years of dedicated pastoral service alongside his beloved wife, First Lady Wanda Washington, Pastor Greg has been a pillar of strength and guidance. Their enduring marriage of 47 years has been blessed with four children and a growing number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, forming a close-knit and cherished family.

Driven by a profound commitment to impact the lives of Illinois' most vulnerable, Pastor Washington shifted his focus to those who had recently experienced incarceration. Recognizing the need for opportunities for reintegration into society, he founded Step Up, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering individuals with the skills necessary to shape their envisioned futures. Pastor Greg's passion lies in providing resources and support to those affected by crime and incarceration, allowing them to carve out lives of purpose and fulfillment after having faced challenges that dictated much of their past.

Our re-entry program

A conviction history carries negative consequences for people reentering their communities.

We guide formerly incarcerated people transitioning into community to lead productive lives.

Board of Directors

  • Shirley Jones

    Vice Chairman of the Board

  • Emari Thomas

    Treasure

  • Richard Robinson

  • Hermon Cornish

THE 5 TENANTS OF STEP UP

  • Participants and the organization are held accountable for actions and decisions.

  • Empowering participants to take charge of their lives and make positive changes.

  • Treating all individuals with dignity and respect, regardless of their past.

  • Operating with honesty and transparency in all dealings.

  • Building strong relationships and fostering a sense of community for personal and collective growth.

Building together

We are excited to share imminent developments as Step Up actively collaborates with private entities and potential government partners to expand our impactful services. These strategic partnerships will not only focus on providing affordable housing and avenues for financial independence for formerly incarcerated individuals but also include collaboration with other community-based organizations dedicated to being a solution in addressing public safety.

In addition to our commitment to housing and financial empowerment, our services are expanding to encompass trauma-informed care for both formerly incarcerated individuals and their families. Recognizing the profound impact of past experiences, we strive to create a supportive environment that acknowledges and addresses trauma.

Our enhanced mission now includes collaborative mentorship programs, fostering meaningful connections to guide individuals on their post-incarceration journey. Through these relationships, we aim to provide valuable support, encouragement, and guidance to those seeking a fresh start.